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Values are at the Root of KIB
Caring, Connected, Committed to a Vibrant Community
“Get in the real world.” Whenever his youngest son began to venture into idealism, Larry Forsell gave him this cautionary note.
That youngest son is me.
A successful business executive, my father grew up poor, raised by a widowed working mom as the Second World War raged and food was rationed. He worked his tail off to graduate from Valparaiso University, and to get his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago. It took toughness and determination in a competitive, combative world for my father to succeed.
As Keep Indianapolis Beautiful strategizes its next three years, I realize I’ve had the very good fortune of operating within a very different “real world.”
KIB, its staff and board, its supporters and community partners have worked very hard over the past several months in understanding where KIB can provide the community the greatest value. Part of that process has been rediscovering very intentionally what defines our work.
KIB values the community—its vibrancy, its flourishing, and its well-being. KIB is animated by the community itself, the thousands of volunteers devoted to our city’s prosperity at the human, neighborhood, economic and environmental levels. And, we take great joy in seeing the best our city can be and what is possible--the tangible and intangible beauty that defines our work, week in and week out.
So, let’s unpack that last paragraph just a bit, with a little help from Merriam-Webster (MW) online...
KIB is committed to our city’s vibrancy. MW defines vibrancy as a condition “pulsating with life, vigor and activity.” What better way to describe a city that is fully actualized? A city’s aesthetics, its environmental health, and its civic engagement all play a role in its vibrancy, and economic well-being. And, as an example, what better way than “vibrant” to describe the Paige Booker pocket park on the city’s near east side? There, children play and families barbecue where a burned out home once stood. There is joy, a sense of common purpose, and a sense of confidence where despair has threatened to permanently define community psychology and physical space.
KIB is committed to our city’s flourishing. To flourish is “to prosper” according to MW. KIB wants Indianapolis to prosper—our kids, our neighborhoods, our businesses, our natural communities. A commitment to flourishing encompasses but goes beyond how one might perceive sustainability; it is an active and aspirational goal. Jake Sager joined our Youth Tree Team when he was fifteen, earning pay and caring for community trees. Despite numerous challenges, Jake came every day, and did it the next year, the next year, and the year after that, eventually leading a crew in 2009. This fall, he is a freshman studying landscape architecture at Purdue University. Jake earned money, realized his potential, and it didn’t hurt that in the process he cared for hundreds of trees that are cleaning our air and water, and adding value to our neighborhoods.
KIB is committed to community. Devoted people (44,000 volunteers in 2008) work together for the good of others through KIB. This is benevolent work, but pretty smart, too. We’re all in this together, central Indiana. MW says “community” is “a group of people with common interests.” On the west and east sides, block by block, KIB has seen one devoted volunteer become many; where one neighbor’s commitment has become the commitment of many; where litter pick ups become tree plantings and the creation of wonderful neighborhood pocket parks. When people work for the prospering of others, the south side ultimately is served by near east side improvements. When Indianapolis neighborhoods become stronger, so does Fishers; so does Greenwood. When trees are planted, and swales are created and cared for to clean our water, all living communities move toward prosperity.
KIB is committed to beauty.
Beauty is more than skin deep. It is more than pretty.
Just about one year from now, KIB will work with Eli Lilly and Company to transform Interstate 70, between the airport and downtown. This project, not because of its sheer scale, but because of the sum of its parts, illustrates our fourth value—beauty. Beauty applies to “whatever excites the keenest pleasure to the senses, and stirs emotion through the senses” according to MW, rather than simply addressing the superficial. What will make the I-70 project beautiful?
Native landscapes will adorn the now barren landscape, meeting the desires of west side residents and planners working hard to invigorate its neighborhood gateways. Public art, designed by students from the Basile Center for Art and Public Life at the Herron School of Art and Design at IUPUI, will engage the senses, and will be the product of investment in local talent. In creating these vibrant places, Lilly volunteers will devote themselves to the city’s improvement, build relationships, and develop pride in their company. Visitors and residents alike will develop a new appreciation for our city, helping retain and attract talent for our future. And, after these great places are created, philanthropic companies will step up and sponsor their care.
Indianapolis will demonstrate to thousands of motorists every day that it IS self aware-- and that is okay! It is more than okay—it is about our city’s prosperity, and its future. On a grand scale, the interstate improvements will demonstrate and capture KIB’s commitment to the flourishing of our city’s people, neighborhoods, community, economy and environment; a commitment that enlivens KIB’s neighborhood projects every week.
This is the “real world” in which KIB is committed to work. Won’t you join us?
