Residents are currently exploring how they can spread the word about Communities of Belonging through existing community events and invite more people to join them in creating a welcoming community for all.

Participating residents are establishing a regular meeting time for others to join them in creating welcoming places and events that all people in the community can enjoy.

The City of Cologne's leadership team is comprised of a small group of residents who began the Communities of Belonging work in their community. The leadership team has recruited an additional 35 residents that make up Cologne's larger work group. Cologne's work group has completed a survey of adult residents in the Cologne-area to learn what community conditions makes people feel like they belong, as well as those conditions which make people feel that they do not belong. The group is currently developing an action plan to create a welcoming community for all current and future residents.

• Cologne Communities of Belonging Promotional Poster
• Communities of Belonging Survey Infographic
• Cologne News & Notes
  Cologne's Community of Belonging (COB) team published and distributed the first newsletter for and about the greater Cologne Community. This newsletter was created in partnership with the City of Cologne and Carver County Public Health in response to last fall's community-wide survey. A majority of survey respondents reported that they wanted more information to help them feel connected to the greater Cologne community and each other. The News & Notes newsletter will be published quarterly and mailed to all households and businesses in the 55322 ZIP code with additional copies available at the City of Cologne office and local businesses.

Efforts are currently underway to spread the word about Communities of Belonging and invite more people to become engaged in the effort to create a place where everyone feels that they belong.

The Victoria City Council adopted a resolution on January 24, 2022 to support Communities of Belonging in their city. Now, they are working internally within city government to take actions which support an inclusive community for everyone, while working in partnership with residents that are focused on other strategies that welcomes all people in the community.

Efforts are underway to organize interested residents to create an inclusive, welcoming setting for all in this growing community. The group is considering how they might build upon work that has been started within the local school district community.

A small number of residents have initiated conversations about how they might work together to create a welcoming community for everyone in this area of northern Carver County. They are looking for other community members to join them in panning the work.