Archival Reflection #7: The Community of the Future

The Community of the Future

Community Service, which became The Arthur Morgan Institute for Community Solutions in 2009, was founded in 1940 by Arthur Morgan. November 14th, 2020 marks our 80th anniversary! As part of our celebration of our 80th anniversary, we’ll be posting 7 archival reflections, as well as our vision for the future. This is the seventh post in this series.

For 80 years, The Arthur Morgan Institute has been providing educational and on-the-ground resources for communities. From Arthur Morgan’s extensive writings; through our Communities Course; through Pat Murphy’s Plan C and New Solutions Reports; and through our work in Yellow Springs and the region; the organization has offered context and support for communities in transition.

In 2015, the Board created a new strategic plan focused on Community Resilience, Regenerative Land Use, Energy Democracy, Community Economics, and Being the Change. The purchase of Agraria in 2017 has allowed us to ground these focus areas in the regenerative practice of soil and community rebuilding. Over the past year, we have expanded our community food support and have sponsored skillshare workshops.

With several local partners, we are also helping to envision a resilient region. The interview series Yellow Springs, Community of the Future is a co-creation of the Yellow Springs News and the Arthur Morgan Institute.  We hope you enjoy the first three interviews recorded last spring with Marianne MacQueen, Michael Schuman, and Jayln Roe as they reflect on the past, present, and possible futures for Yellow Springs and other communities.

— Susan Jennings, Executive Director of Community Solutions

Marianne reflects on the meaning of community and how Yellow Springs has changed over the decades. She also shares her thoughts on how Yellow Springs, and communities like it, are positioned to rise to this moment, addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by the COVID crisis.

In this interview, Roe discusses the way racial demographics have changed in Yellow Springs since her upbringing in the 1950s and ‘60s, and what that means for the strength of our community.

In this interview, Shuman discusses how to support local businesses that have been impacted by COVID, and why community is the best investment. Shuman offers practical financial advice for individuals, small businesses, and economic policy makers on the local level and beyond. Shuman also discusses his new book, “Put Your Money Where Your Life Is.”