About JUST CONNECTIONS

Welcome to Just Connections 2011   

 http://just-connections.org

Just Connections brings together people from communities and colleges in Appalachia for service-learning, research, and collaborative action that will empower communities for social, economic and environmental justice.   Participating colleges and community organizations are from KY, VA, TN, NC and GA.

 

2011 Summer Meetings

PARTNERSHIP WORKSHOP
June 17-18, 2011 in Maryville, TN
Partnership strategy workshop and board meeting
Workshop leader:  Randy Stoecker
Contact:  susan.ambler@maryvillecollege.edu

ANNUAL MEETING at Berea College
August 11-12, 2011.  Berea, KY
Board elections and strategic planning
Hosted by CELTS at Berea College
Contact:  ashley_cochrane@berea.edu

HOW TO GET INVOLVED with Just Connections

We welcome community organizers, nonprofit staff, college faculty, staff and students.  Newcomers and interested visitors may attend our quarterly meetings and Vision in Action.  To find out how you, your college or your community organization can get involved in Just Connections, email Robert, Billy or Ashley.

Robert Donnan  robert.donnan@gmail.com
Billy Newton  newtwilliam@gmail.com
Ashley Cochrane  ashley_cochrane@berea.edu

READY TO BECOME A MEMBER OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP?

DOWNLOAD  Just Connections Membership Invoice

MAILING ADDRESS:   Just Connections
Attn: Susan Ambler, Maryville College
502 Lamar Alexander Parkway
Maryville, TN  37804

2010-11 Board of Directors

Susan Ambler – Maryville College, TN
Marie Cirillo - Clearfork Community Learning Institute, TN
Robert Donnan - Big Creek People in Action, WV
Robin Fife - Tusculum College, TN
Gene Maddox - George Clem Multicultural Association, TN
Janice Morrissey – Grassroots Empowerment Alliance of Rome, GA
Billy Newton – New Opportunity School for Women in KY and NC

NEW BOARD NOMINEES FOR 2011-12: 

Ashley Cochrane (Berea, KY)
Miranda Coffey (Maryville, TN)
Annalisa Raymer (Emory, VA)

Mission Statement

The Mission of Just Connections is to invigorate grassroots democracy among residents of distressed mountain communities by creating and using models for participatory research and service in support of self-sustaining communities that offer equitable access to resources for local citizens.

Just Connections defines participatory research as a process which places researchers and apprentices at the service of communities seeking help with the exploration of local assets, needs and opportunities, as well as with the planning, implementation and evaluation of development programs. This research model admits that the core knowledge about a situation resides in the community itself, and thus community members are the most qualified to bring meaning to the application of research skills. We believe that participatory research entails an equal partnership between campus and community.

For background and historical information, see the original Just Connections webpage at http://www.justconnections.info.