" Putting Community Out Front: An Interview with John Brothers " (Insights for Change, March 24, 2025), contains key takeaways tailored for neighborhood leaders. John Brothers, who stepped down in February 2025 from his nearly ten‑year role leading T. Rowe Price’s philanthropic arms, offers a powerful, analogy-rich vision of how philanthropy can—and should—support communities from behind the scenes. His insights provide an essential guide for neighborhood leaders aiming to foster authentic, community-led progress. 1. Philanthropy as Block-and-Tackle Support Brothers likens philanthropy to his experience as a college football center: “not the quarterback” but the one who blocks and tackles so others can shine. He insists, “If I’m successful, you’ll never see me—you’ll see them.” Philanthropy’s purpose, he explains, is to empower communities—not to lead them. For neighborhood leaders, this metaphor underscores the importance of visibility—not for funders or outsiders, but fo...

The Community Partnership of the Ozarks is hosting a free Conflict Resolution Workshop for neighborhood leaders on Thursday, June 26 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Schweitzer Brentwood Library, located at 2214 S. Brentwood Blvd. This helpful and engaging workshop is led by an expert from Missouri State University’s Center for Dispute Resolution . It’s designed to help neighborhood leaders learn practical ways to deal with conflict in their communities. Attendees will gain tools to help them communicate more clearly, handle difficult situations calmly, and work through disagreements in productive ways. “Conflict is a normal part of life,” said Angela Watkins, Neighborhoods Coordinator with Community Partnership. “This workshop helps people manage those moments in ways that make relationships stronger instead of more divided.” Whether you are part of a neighborhood association, serve on a local board, or simply want to be a positive voice in your neighborhood, this event is for you. When ...