It’s Member Week here at Strong Towns, and something our president, Chuck Marohn, shared on Monday is that Strong Towns members are some of the most civically engaged people we know.  In a recent survey, over 50% said they’re volunteering in their communities. Nearly half said they had met with an elected official. 16% have actually run for office themselves! And nearly all of our members have shared Strong Towns articles and ideas with their neighbors.

If you’re a member, thank you! We’re floored by all that you do and honored to get to play a small part in moving you to action. 

If you’re not a member and you’re looking at that list thinking, “Well, I volunteer in my community, I share Strong Towns articles, I work with my neighbors to improve my city…” Then it’s time you make your commitment official and join this movement. Visit strongtowns.org/membership to join today.

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Today’s guest is Krista Fancher, a Strong Towns member who teaches at a unique high school program called the Innovation Diploma at the Mount Vernon School in Atlanta, Georgia. Their approach to learning is very hands-on and encourages entrepreneurship and innovation—exactly the sorts of skills young people need these days to grow into dedicated citizens who make their communities strong.

Bottom-Up Revolution host and Program Director, Rachel Quednau, had the honor of working with some of her students this semester on a project where they explored housing issues and how to adapt existing buildings to create more housing opportunities.  Krista is devoted to helping young people learn, grow and thrive.  Whether you’ve got kids of your own or have the chance to work with young people as a coach, mentor, or just a doting aunt or uncle—we know you’ll learn from Krista’s perspective and see how important our young people are as we think about building strong towns for the future.

At the end of the episode, we also take a moment to shout-out some of those 16% of Strong Towns members who recently ran for office and many who currently hold elected office.

Additional Show Notes

Mount Vernon School - Innovation Diploma program

Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond

Innovation Diploma Students’ Getting into Good Trouble Podcast

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