KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Rebuilding connections between neighbors, encouraging civic participation and finding new ways to combat isolation and loneliness will be the focus of two upcoming Community Conversations in Keene and Swanzey.

Marti Fiske, director of the Keene Public Library; and Ann Heffernon — both are members of the Elm City Rotary Club —discussed the events Thursday on Good Morning with Dan Mitchell on WKBK Radio. The full interview audio will be embedded in this story.

The first conversation is scheduled for this Saturday, Aug. 22, from 10 a.m. to noon at Heberton Hall at the Keene Public Library. A second session will be held Saturday, Aug. 29, from 10 a.m. to noon at Pilgrim Pines on West Shore Road at Swanzey Lake.

The events are part of a grant program supported by New Hampshire Humanities and the Community Development Finance Authority. Both sessions will be facilitated by New Hampshire Humanities and will give residents an opportunity to talk directly about what they see as important needs and priorities in their communities.

At the heart of the conversations is a concern that communities have become increasingly disconnected.

During the WKBK interview, Dan Mitchell, Heffernon and Fiske discussed division and polarization, isolation and loneliness, particularly among young people and older adults, and the difficulty some residents face in figuring out how to become involved in their communities.

The organizers hope the conversations will provide a starting point for rebuilding those connections through face-to-face interaction.

Keene Conversation Will Bring Residents and Service Organizations Together

Fiske said the Keene conversation will bring together residents along with organizations involved in human services and community building.

Groups being invited include the YMCA, Monadnock Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Belonging Coalition, Hannah Grimes and other nonprofit and community organizations, as well as local government and senior-service organizations.

But the event isn’t intended to be a meeting just for agencies.

Residents are being encouraged to attend and talk about what they need, what they value and what they believe could make the community stronger.

That information could help nonprofits and local government better understand where services and resources are needed while also helping residents discover opportunities to volunteer, participate in civic organizations and connect with their neighbors.

Fiske and Heffernon also emphasized the role that service clubs, churches and other civic organizations can play in helping people establish connections.

Organizations such as the Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary and PTAs have traditionally provided places for residents to meet people, work together and become involved in their communities.

Both Fiske and Heffernon discussed their own experiences becoming involved in Rotary after moving to the area, illustrating how participation in a local organization can provide an important bridge into community life.

The conversation also touched on the broader decline in civic participation described by author Robert Putnam in his book, “Bowling Alone.”

Swanzey Event Focuses on Newcomers, Families and Community History

The Swanzey conversation will place particular emphasis on bringing together longtime residents and people who are newer to town.

Heffernon said organizers are especially interested in reaching younger parents who may want to participate in community life but face time and scheduling challenges.

The event will include food, and children are welcome. Interact from Monadnock will provide entertainment for children, making it easier for parents to take part in the discussion.

Heffernon said the gathering also provides an opportunity for longtime residents to share the history and traditions of Swanzey with people who have recently moved to the community.

Among the examples are town meeting videos produced last fall, which can help give newcomers a better understanding of local government and the traditions that have shaped the town.

The goal is to help newer residents feel welcome, informed and comfortable becoming involved.

Residents Will Help Shape Future Project

The Community Conversations are more than one-time discussions. Feedback gathered in Keene and Swanzey will be used to determine what type of community-building project should be undertaken next.

Organizers will use what they hear from residents to help design and select a grant-funded project, with the decision to be made before Nov. 30.

That means residents attending the sessions will have a direct opportunity to influence what comes next.

The conversations are designed to ask a basic but important question: What does the community need most to become more connected, engaged and supportive?

Organizers say the answer could involve volunteering, social connections, better awareness of existing services, stronger partnerships between organizations or something else entirely that residents identify during the discussions.

Community Conversations Details

The Keene Community Conversation will be held Saturday, Aug. 22, from 10 a.m. to noon at Heberton Hall at the Keene Public Library. Registration is available through the library’s online calendar.

The Swanzey Community Conversation will take place Saturday, Aug. 29, from 10 a.m. to noon at Pilgrim Pines on West Shore Road at Swanzey Lake. Residents can register through the Swanzey Governance Facebook page or by contacting Heffernon by email.

Artist Marek Bennett will create graphic recordings at the meetings, using drawings and illustrations to document the ideas and discussions taking place.

Organizers are encouraging residents to attend even if they have never participated in a civic organization or community meeting before.

Listen to the full interview: