January 2025 Purpose Forum

We’re starting 2026 by bringing public service and everyday community life into conversation.

This Purpose Forum offers a chance to hear directly from local government voices—and to be in the room with them—in a welcoming, community-centered setting.

Join us for a fireside-style chat with:

• Cody Kennedy, Mayor of Grand Junction
• Stephanie Reecy, Mesa County Public Affairs Director

While Mayor Kennedy regularly makes himself available to the community, not everyone can attend weekday morning coffee hours. This Forum creates an opportunity to listen, learn, and engage in an accessible, relational environment—and to hear city and county perspectives side by side.

In this conversational format, Cody and Stephanie will share insights about how community members can connect with local government, learn about volunteer and service opportunities at both the city and county levels, and better understand how civic engagement shows up in practice.

This is not a policy briefing or a deep dive into government structure. It’s a grounded, human conversation about participation, communication, and collaboration—rooted in the place we call home.

💡 What you’ll take away

✨ Greater clarity about ways residents can engage locally, beyond showing up on election day

✨ Insight into volunteer and service opportunities connected to city and county work

✨ Perspective on how community voices are invited, heard, and shared

✨ A chance to meet local government leaders in person, in a relaxed and welcoming setting

✨ New connections with people who care about this community and its future

🪑 What to expect

🍽️ Lunch in a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere

🔥 Fireside-style conversation—thoughtful, accessible, and grounded

💬 Facilitated dialogue and time for questions

🤝 Meaningful connection across community, nonprofit, business, and public sectors

No civics background required. No pressure to speak. Just curiosity and care for the community you live in.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Who Should Attend:

• Community members curious about how to stay informed and involved locally
• Residents interested in volunteering or contributing in realistic ways
• Business professionals and entrepreneurs seeking genuine connections beyond the usual circles
• Newer residents looking for on-ramps into community life, business, and civic professionals who value cross-sector collaboration
• Longtime locals who want to stay connected and engaged

✨ Why Attend:

• Connect naturally with business, civic, and nonprofit changemakers—building trust that supports future collaboration
• Grow your network in ways that feel genuine, human, and aligned with your values
• Reflect on how connection and participation show up in your life and community
• Discover people and opportunities you didn’t know you were missing
• Leave with new perspectives and meaningful next steps—not just business cards

💬 From Our Community:

“I recommend the Purpose Forum. It’s a good mix of community. I feel seen. I feel part of the community. Good people are here. It’s very inspiring to be part of this.”
— Purpose Forum Attendee, ThanksGathering

🌐 Our unique approach to netweaving.

Connect for Good offers a different kind of gathering.

Instead of asking “What’s in it for me?” — we ask “What’s in it for us?”

We focus on collective impact and shared success—netweaving people, ideas, and opportunities that strengthen community life.

Whether you’re new to the area or simply exploring fresh ways to connect and contribute, the Purpose Forum offers inspiration and an opportunity to be part of something bigger.

Join us and experience why Connect for Good is being called “the community gathering we didn’t know we needed.”

🏛️ About Connect for Good

Connect for Good is a chamber of community—bringing people together across neighborhoods, sectors, and lived experiences to build relationships, discover local resources, and strengthen the social fabric of the Grand Valley.

Through monthly Purpose Forums, Board Connect, and leadership programs, Connect for Good helps cultivate trust, spark civic engagement, and grow connected, collaborative communities.

Rooted in Western Colorado, netweaving purpose, positivity, and possibilities everywhere.

🌱Everyone’s Welcome

If cost is a barrier, please reach out—we’re committed to making space for everyone whenever possible.

🎟️ Space is limited—register today and invite others who believe in connection, contribution, and community good!

If your plans change, just email us at [email protected] by midnight on the Sunday before the Forum and we’ll be glad to issue a refund. After that, tickets are non-refundable.

Thank you to our generous sponsors for supporting this event:

📩 By registering for this event, you agree to receive organization updates and event information from Connect for Good.

Connect for Good events may be photographed or recorded for promotional purposes. By attending, you acknowledge and agree that your image may appear in our publications, website, social media, and other promotional materials.

If you prefer not to be photographed or recorded, please inform our staff upon arrival, and we will do our best to accommodate your request. However, please note that media coverage by external organizations is beyond our control.

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