Social Capital in Tampa Bay
Research on Social Capital in Tampa Bay is explored by Summer Interns and through World Cafes
Description:
Social Capital, a concept popularized by Robert Putnam’s book Bowling Alone, refers to positive social connections among the members of a community. There is evidence that the more connected residents become, the more unified their community will be, bringing increased advantage to all. Robert Putnam also explains that lack of social capital can cause feelings of distrust, decrease the amount of time spent socializing with friends, cause distance in family relationships, promote political apathy and may even shorten life span.
Starting with a summer intern research project in 2004, the Collaborative for Children, Families and Communities focused on increasing the amount of social capital among Tampa’s youth. The summer interns were charged with identifying the existing social capital in the Tampa Bay community. As a means for beginning a community dialogue on social capital and its value to Tampa, the Collaborative teamed up with Creative Tampa Bay to host events that would bring people together. These events were designed to explore the role of social capital and craft recommendations for encouraging its growth.
A book by Juanita Brown and David Isaacs, World Café: Shaping Our Futures Through Conversations That Matter, provided the blueprint and process for social capital brainstorming sessions. Starting in June, the Social Capital World Cafés were conducted over the course of four weeks throughout the Tampa Bay area. They were held at TECO headquarters in downtown Tampa, the Museum of Science and Industry, Ruth Eckerd Hall and Studio 620 in downtown St Petersburg. During these sessions, participants addressed the question of how we see and experience social capital in Tampa Bay and how we improve social capital in Tampa Bay. After four Cafés, the key themes that emerged for fostering social capital included educating others on social capital, physical and environmental design, program creation, information on social capital outlets, technology and the Internet, what individuals can do, and what organizations and communities can do.
Funding for Academic Year: 2004-05