Tom Giordano | Partnership for Rhode Island executive director
The partnership addresses big-picture issues that affect all Rhode Islanders. The lessons we’ve learned can be applied to any group looking to effect change.
For example, our common belief, and one we are most invested in, is that high-quality education for every Rhode Island student is a moral and economic imperative.
To help achieve this vision, we commissioned the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy report and the Ernst & Young LLP financial analysis to provide honest, objective assessments of the issues facing the students of our capital city. While many challenges have been identified, these problems are solvable. Immediately after the reports, business leaders raised their hands to ask: “What’s the next step? How can we help?”
This kind of proactive involvement is at the root of our organization’s mission.
Complex problems aren’t going to be solved with one “big idea” or one person working alone. It takes teamwork and time.
Time, energy and funding must be invested in meaningful ways. Leveraging expert support and getting stakeholder buy-in from across industry sectors are imperative steps to project success.
We encourage the business community to continue to find ways to work together. No matter the size or the scope of the challenge, encourage your employees to keep raising their hands, to keep coming into the room with new ideas, and keep proactively asking what they can do to help.