Denison Day of Giving 2024

THANK YOU!- Goals Acheived, amazing support- so grateful to each of donor- my page has community Denisonians, FLC, past parents and colleagues- so touched!!  Reading all the posts and seeing the support is inspiring, thank you! 4-4-24 update

Denison makes life on Newark-Granville Road what it is and it is really good!  Not just because it provided formative educations for Joe and me. It is because of the work environment it provides and the impact on our community. What would life be like in Granville without Denison?  Denison also has connected us with fantastic people and our relationships are centered around this beautiful, impactful place! That is why today, I ask you to consider joining us with a philanthropic gift!

Today is our Day of Giving! A fun way to promote philanthropic support of the college "we love so well". Alma Mater language! 

Here is my page and link to give:  https://giving.denison.edu/s/SusanStonerLeithauser

I hope you'll take time to explore the whole day of giving page and posts- students are sharing testimonials, there are matches, and many ways to support the many places that made Denison Denison!

https://giving.denison.edu/

Take a look at the video I captured on Newark-Granville Road it is on social media- Facebook and Insta- let me know if you can't access it!

Thank you for reading, thinking about a gift, and engaging with Denison! To be Continued!

 A picture is worth a thousand words! This bookcase, in my office in Doane (temp spot, moving to North Campus soon) showcases all that is good with Denison and why a gift on our Day of Giving (or any day) is worthwhile! Highlights:

Heed Your Call- classmate David Howitt- so much great advice in this book and much of it I have used! My call to philanthropy was supported at Denison and continued beyond graduation and led to a career!  Atomic Habits- James Clear- alum and one who walks his talk with philanthropy and guidance, an honor to know you James (and Kristy!), Bit Flip by Mike Trigg- loved the book and value all you do for Family Philanthropy Mike!  Vail Series- many people didn't know I was an usher for the series when I was a student, Joe and I so value attending these FREE concerts- for years and years- to the point above- what would Granville be without Denison! There is so much more to say- take a look and ask me about what you see- I'd love to share the story of why it is here, with me in my life on NG Road. It is thanks to Denison! And Denison is here because of financial gifts and support: https://giving.denison.edu/s/SusanStonerLeithauser

In honor of the opening day and day of giving- a fun pic from the past..Peter's birthday party at a Denison baseball game! GO BIG RED!

THANK YOU for supporting Denison- it is a special place! Thanks for playing along with my Day of Giving posts. I have mixed feelings about "days of giving", as usual, I see both sides and have my own feeling as a donor.  That said- so many new donors, young donors, and a visual way to recognize long-time wonderful donors- the energy and impact was great AND APPRECIATED!

March 2024- Granville Economic Development- let's talk, let's learn!

Background:

• Years ago- my kids may not have even been in school- I served on a finance committee for the school district.  This was an important learning moment that set a path of volunteerism. The State of Ohio's funding model burdens communities like ours to bring in our own revenue. Property tax and more recently income tax, executed by levies, allow populations to decide funding levels. Tax levies are the key to the income source.  Joe and I have engaged with these operational levies- learning, challenging, promoting, and even leading.  It is a similar situation for libraries and many community-shaping, government/non-profit organizations.
• Seven years ago, I ran for the Granville Chamber of Commerce (GACC) Board.  I have learned so much about the small businesses that shape and define our daily lives and support the way we live. My work in philanthropy with the Works showcased larger organizations- like Park National Bank, First Federal, LMH, to name a few. GACC is a membership organization with over 200 entities strong, but most have under 10 employees. The GACC staff, volunteers, and members are key partners to our governments, one another, and the overall community. Remember the fun of 43023 day, the Candlelight Walking Tour, our May-Oct, and the Thanksgiving Farmer's Market? The GACC makes it, so The FM is one of the best anywhere and helps make us one of the best communities around! It is a place of commerce, economic development, and a key piece of tourism. Granville area businesses work hard for every transaction with our limited "feet on the street", GACC events and support play an important role in boosting business. There is so much more I could say about the GACC but will pause, let's talk!

• Because of the funding model for our schools and the level of commerce we support at this time, I accepted the role of co-chair of the Economic Development Committee.  I've shared bits and pieces on the blog and honestly should have done more- we still can and I'm ready to continue the conversations!
• During this time, I also furthered my education, providing a new understanding of how government, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations work together, and rely on one another. It shines brightly in our corner of the world, here on Newark-Granville Road!

Reflecting:

• Even before Intel and the growth came from the West, we've needed to find additional funding from the commercial sector to support the organizations we hold dear- libraries and schools that provide valuable education.  We can't ask property owners and individuals to keep paying higher and higher taxes to educate our children and run programs. Educating our children is fundamentally one of the most important things we can do and why Joe and I readily pay the taxes. 
• Therefore, the GACC, the Board, volunteers, members, elected officials, and staff are uniting to find a way to shape, react, prepare for the growth, and create an environment of healthy growth, energy, and funding to fuel the community we want.
• https://www.granville.oh.us/ccp  The Comprehensive Plan, in the works between our village and township is EXCELLENT. It is a shame it is paused due to one citizen's lawsuit. Please read it and let's talk!  Good work continues!
• How is this happening, what are the tools and strategies?
• JEDD- Joint Economic Development District, with an overlay- please read these articles: and ask questions!  JEDDs provide income for utilities and input on what is developed!
• https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/granville/2024/03/22/granville-twp-board-holds-off-on-zoning-district-vote-after-feedback/73020154007/
• https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/granville/2024/03/07/granville-township-proposes-zoning-district-to-shape-future-growth/72842628007/
  
• I wonder, do people understand how things are paid for? Roads, salt when it snows, teacher salaries, infrastructure, and staff for health and safety.  I didn't know these things early in my life. That school finance committee helped a great deal. I'm still learning and the past three years with the GACC have assisted!
• I wonder, do people understand how decisions are made, and governance created? People make decisions, our elected officials, staff that do research, and caring individuals that participate and serve- zoning committees?! Yes, with Joe's new role, we're learning even more!  Someone asked recently how his election has changed my life, my answer is he's now more dialed into my GACC/ Econ Development work- it is nice!

My Ask:

• Take time to think, understand, and not just react.  We all value our small-town life. We must work together not to preserve, the definition of preserve is maintaining something in its original state. If this were the case, we'd be a very small town with muddy roads and water from a spring! We need to grow and evolve in a healthy way to support our community of today.
• Please get involved, learn, and ask questions and hopefully, you'll join us in promoting positive Economic Development that includes the new JEDD, and the launch of a Community Improvement Corporation for Granville! There is so much more I will say and want to say about this.  I've spent two years weighing the approach- could our chamber take this on, how do they work together, and can our community afford it. I am excited about our community's journey.
• Evolution, professionalism, communication, and education, these are important components for our Granville- Village, Townships, School District, County and State

Life on Newark-Granville Road, we love it here. We value all those we engage with and know are behind the scenes, making it what it is. I look forward to our conversation about economic development in Granville!

Checking-in, Missing Emails

 Friends- a public thank you to Kelly Baldwin and Amanda Love.  Two friends who checked in and helped me respond to invitations I missed.  I would have been disappointed to miss the opportunities and not pleased to not have engaged with the invitee! One was mail, one email, but there have been times I'm sitting at my desk and miss an online meeting.  And again I remember fondly the person who sent a text, called, or popped in to say- you coming? What I also appreciate they recognize- it is not like you to be late or not reply.  Thank you for helping me juggle the mad amounts of communications, and thank you for being the friend and colleague that checks in- it matters.

And speaking of checking-in- our Denison Newark-Granville Road daughter, Charlotte, is doing quite well in Boston! What fun to see her this week!!

Charlotte attend Dension Event in Boston

March 1, Friday, Fri-YAY

 Today is March 1st and it feels good! March feels more like Spring- we are in the Spring Semester, not the Winter semester at Denison!

We had an extra day, leap year- Feb 29th yesterday. I heard the news of a dear colleague retiring.I caught up with a wonderful parent, married to an alum, serves on the FLC, had a Denison graduate, a current student and a high school senior- yes we had much to catch up on!

It has been a week of retreats and catch-ups with fantastic colleagues and a few drinks.  

Commercial- the Granville Inn has the best mixologist, Reuben, who was at Asterisk in Westerville- his cocktails are FABULOUS!  And slowly but surely the Inn's refresh is being revealed and falling into place. I love our new plaid chairs and community table, the mirrors in the Oak Room and there is more to come....said parent above greeted me with- the Inn looks so good- it is so clean!! Ahhh- love sharing this with people really working hard to make it so!

This is FLC weekend- Family Leadership Council weekend....more connections and opportunities to deepen and renew important relationships with important Denisonians.

Life on Newark-Granville Road is saying yay Friday- Yay FLC- Yay for all that visit Granville for so many reasons and connect!

If reading today- Friday- go to the fish fry- I'm sorry to miss, LOVED it last week!