Creating a culture is much like creating a story.
A culture is a collaborative collection of thoughts, ideas, personalities, talents, and specialties that move a mission forward.
We create a culture by creating the chapters, developing the characters, adjusting to plot twists, making the comeback, and becoming the hero.
We create the story of a culture with experiences that cement a memory, while radiating an energy of hope for the future.
People immersed within a thriving culture visualize a future that “delivers results, expands outreach, and builds partnerships” by taking itty-bitty, incremental steps to move a mission.
The February 19th, 2024 State of the County event was a story of collaboration that shared the culture of Jefferson County in the state of Missouri. Approximately 300 people of all ages, backgrounds, and professions gathered in the early morning hours on President’s Day at the Dunklin R-5 Herculaneum High School to attend the 12th Annual Jefferson County Growth Association’s State of the County event. Leaders joined forces to honor stories about the past, present, and future culture of our community.
The buoyant energy was charged by local students, musicians, dancers, artists, law enforcement professionals, business owners, citizens, veterans, first responders, legislators, representatives, philanthropists, and more. With this kind of collaboration, it is understandable why the headline speaker of the event, Jefferson County Missouri Executive, Dennis Gannon, stated, “Jefferson County is leading the way for the future, raising the bar of expectations, preparing for growth, while protecting natural resources, increasing opportunities, and elevating a higher standard of living.”
Jefferson County Growth Association President, Dan Govero, confirmed that through intentional events and projects, we are all able to help and support our local community, where we all shop, live, play, work, visit, and stay in Jefferson County. It is within the united collaboration of committed people that “keeps our county moving.”
Dunklin R-5 School District Superintendent, Dr. Clint Freeman, motivated attendees to keep the momentum moving through individual and collaborative stories. He encouraged people to create the story you want in your life, and take any opportunity to tell “your story,” as well as the “Jefferson County story.” Dr. Freeman challenged everyone to think about “what you want people to know…about who you are, where you live, and the experiences within your own story. Through intentional storytelling, each person is able to create their own narrative about their life within Jefferson County.
Stories of collaboration start on a far more individual and personal level than within any county, within any state.
Regardless of where you live, this State of the County event invites all of us to reflect on any of the “states” within our life.
How is the “state” of our story?
Our home, neighborhood, school, church, organization, work place, ________ you fill in the blank…
We create our narrative.
We create our culture.
We create our story of the experiences that cement a memory and radiate an energy of hope for our future.
This is a non-paid endorsement inviting you to reflect on the state of your story, as you collaborate with others to create the narrative of the culture within our Jefferson County community.
I am proud to be a character within this chapter of the Jefferson County story. I adore being in collaboration with visionary storytellers, page turners, chapter creators, and heroes within our community.
We all have a role within this story of creating change to elevate and enhance our lives.
As always, I encourage you to share, connect, and support any aspects that resonate with you.
Please share this, add your comments on social media, as you tag others, spreading the word on what you want people to know about our collaborative, cultural story of Jefferson County.
Thank you to Benjamin Brown and Donna Litton with the Economic Development Corporation of Jefferson County for inviting me to sit at your table. I savored every second of being in your presence at this powerful event.
View the recording of the State of the County February 19, 2024 event and learn more about:
Jefferson County Growth Association
314-210-0211 / jcgaorg@gmail.com / jcgamo.org
Another reflection about Jefferson County:
More about the Economic Development Corporation of Jefferson County:
Donna Litton and Benjamin Brown: A Professional and Playful Pair to Partner Up With
I believe itty-bitty initiatives matter for a big impact:
