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CALL TO ACTION
“WE WILL!”
Three executive directors of NCP lead
agencies — Eunita Rushing, Jim
Capraro and Carlos Nelson —
took the stage in one final, rousing
exhortation to “Get It Done” in our
communities. Rushing spoke first:
“ In a way, it is overwhelming. It
seems everything is
connected — and that there is just
so much to do: We have to
engage our communities, so that
plans are by and for them … and
we have to make deals with
friends (and sometimes
enemies) — forming partnerships
to leverage the resources to get
projects done. …
“ We have to be good leaders,
managers and evaluators,
measuring success for ourselves
and our partners at every turn.
But it is also about playing —
building the community spirit
through sports, arts and culture,
building relationships that tie a
community together and create
a strong force for effective
change. …
“ Truly, we are changing the face of
our communities, in Chicago —
and across the nation. We really
are “Getting It Done.”
Joined by Nelson, Capraro led a final,
rousing call-and-response:
“ Ask yourselves these questions:
What happened here How does
it make you feel What does it
mean What are you called to
do
“ Ladies and gentlemen, I am here
to ask you if you will heed that
call. I am here to ask you if you
are willing to commit.
“ Ladies and gentlemen, if you are
prepared to take what we’ve
learned here and practice it at
home say: ‘We will.’ (Crowd:
“We will!”)
“ If you are committed to working
hard to raise the quality of life in
the neighborhoods we serve say:
‘We will.’ (Crowd: “We will!”)
“ If you are committed to
preserving and strengthening the
relationships we created here say:
‘We will.’ (Crowd: “We will!”)
“ If you are equally committed to
creating similar relationship where
you work say: ‘We will.’ (Crowd:
“We will!”)
“ And last, if you are willing to
come back together in the future
to renew our relationships,
replenish our spirit, reinvigorate
our energy, reflect on our
practice, and redouble our efforts
say: ‘We will.’ ” (Crowd: “We will!”)
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