Reflecting on the 2024 Community Heart & Soul Coach Gathering: Connection, Learning, and Growth

By Justin Samuel

Community Heart & Soul Coach Gathering 2024 featured image
From left to right: Brian Treece, Leanne Tingay, Danielle Steinhauser and Matt Jenkins taking a group photo at the 2024 Community Heart & Soul Coach Gathering. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.

Community Heart & Soul’s national network of certified Coaches is critical to furthering our mission of building stronger, healthier, and more economically vibrant small cities and towns across the United States. These dedicated Coaches play a pivotal role in guiding residents through the Heart & Soul process and helping them build brighter futures for their communities. Community Heart & Soul is committed to supporting our Coaches, investing in their success and local impact through training, mentoring, and collaborative activities.

Last month, Community Heart & Soul brought together Coaches from across the country to Chicago to build relationships, share knowledge, and celebrate achievements. The 2024 Heart & Soul Coach Gathering featured an array of insightful sessions, timely discussions, and enjoyable social activities, all designed to support and inspire Heart & Soul Coaches.

Building Connections

This was the first Heart & Soul in-person Coach Gathering following the COVID-19 pandemic, and attendees genuinely appreciated the chance to network and learn from one another. Coaches from the 2021 and 2022 cohorts received virtual training, so for many this was the first time they had the opportunity to meet their peers and mentors in person.

The gathering began with an evening welcoming reception giving Coaches an initial chance to catch up with old friends and make new connections. Following the reception, participants enjoyed dinner at various local restaurants, exploring Chicago’s culinary scene while continuing conversations from the meet-and-greet.

Danielle Steinhauser, Sara Lightner, and Ann Glave at the 2024 Community Heart & Soul Coach Gathering welcoming reception.
Danielle Steinhauser, Sara Lightner, and Ann Glave at the 2024 Community Heart & Soul Coach Gathering welcoming reception. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.
Bob Donohue and DiAnn Butler visiting at the 2024 Heart & Soul Coach Gathering welcoming reception.
Bob Donohue and DiAnn Butler visiting at the 2024 Heart & Soul Coach Gathering welcoming reception. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.
Michelle Wodtke Franks, Ann Glave, DiAnn Butler, and Joan Wagner attending the 2024 Heart & Soul Coach Gathering welcoming reception.
Michelle Wodtke Franks, Ann Glave, DiAnn Butler, and Joan Wagner attending the 2024 Heart & Soul Coach Gathering welcoming reception. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.

Impactful Sessions

The first full day of the gathering began with a warm welcome from Community Heart & Soul President Mark Sherman and a lively icebreaker session led by Cassie Turner, which set an upbeat tone for the event.

Mark Sherman welcoming the group to the 2024 Community Heart & Soul Coach Gathering.
Mark Sherman welcoming the group to the 2024 Community Heart & Soul Coach Gathering. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.
Cassie Turner leading an icebreaker to kick off the 2024 Heart & Soul Coach Gathering. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.
Cassie Turner leading an icebreaker to kick off the 2024 Heart & Soul Coach Gathering. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.
De’an Bass, Matt Jenkins, Jen Danifo and Rachel Moyer enjoying icebreaker activities.
De’an Bass, Matt Jenkins, Jen Danifo and Rachel Moyer enjoying icebreaker activities. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.

Heart & Soul Training Team staff including Sara Lightner, Leanne Tingay, Joan Wagner, and Ian Moran provided updates on their latest initiatives, including new community toolkits, support systems for project coordinators, and achievement tracking.

Sara Lightner providing updates to Coaches. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.
Sara Lightner providing updates to Coaches. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.
Joan Wagner presenting on latest Training Team initiatives. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.
Joan Wagner presenting on latest Training Team initiatives. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.

De’an Bass led an enlightening session on polarization, which was a highlight for many of the attendees. Participants discussed how polarization manifests in their communities, its impacts, as well as strategies to address it. This session sparked excitement and discussion among attendees and generated a wealth of ideas and actionable insights.

De’an Bass leading an engaging session on polarization. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.
De’an Bass leading an engaging session on polarization. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.

In the afternoon, Community Heart & Soul Vice President of Market Development Al Getler and Vice President of Communications Justin Samuel outlined new organizational and financial support available to Coaches. They also presented market development strategies for expanding Coach practices, as well as opportunities and challenges involved with bringing Heart & Soul to communities.


Al Getler and Justin Samuel outlining support available to coaches, as well as methods for building relationships and bringing Heart & Soul to communities.
From left to right: Justin Samuel and Al Getler outlining support available to coaches, as well as methods for building relationships and bringing Heart & Soul to communities. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.

The day concluded with an off-site session led by Community Development Officer and Certified Community Heart & Soul Coach Jason Neises, which involved exploring downtown Chicago while collecting photos related to themes commonly included in Heart & Soul Statements. This was a fun, memorable way for participants to explore the city and connect with each other.

From left to right: Susan Hill, Michelle Wilson, Cassie Turner, and Sarah Origer exploring downtown Chicago.
From left to right: Susan Hill, Michelle Wilson, Cassie Turner, and Sarah Origer exploring downtown Chicago. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.
From left to right: Jim Manning, Suzan Perkins, Brian Treece, and Alexis Halbert exploring downtown Chicago.
From left to right: Jim Manning, Suzan Perkins, Brian Treece, and Alexis Halbert exploring downtown Chicago. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.

The second day of the Coach Gathering began with an intriguing session on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in community engagement work. Ian Moran and Jason Neises explored how AI could be potentially integrated into Heart & Soul initiatives, discussing opportunities as well as guidelines to ensure technology enhances rather than diminishes the core values of the work.

Ian Moran presenting about Artificial Intelligence at the 2024 Heart & Soul Coach Gathering.
Ian Moran presenting about Artificial Intelligence at the 2024 Heart & Soul Coach Gathering. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.
Jason Neises and Suzan Perkins enjoying a laugh at the 2024 Heart & Soul Coach Gathering.
Jason Neises and Suzan Perkins enjoying a laugh at the 2024 Heart & Soul Coach Gathering. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.

Cassie Turner and Michelle Wodtke Franks followed with an activity-based session on building successful Community Heart & Soul teams, using real-life scenarios to highlight key elements of effective teamwork. Brian Treece and Jen Danifo then facilitated a session on bringing people together, providing practical steps to ensure inclusive and productive community engagement, which resonated strongly with attendees.

Cassie Turner presenting at the 2024 Coach Gathering.
Cassie Turner presenting at the 2024 Coach Gathering. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.
Michelle Wodtke Franks presenting at the 2024 Coach Gathering.
Michelle Wodtke Franks presenting at the 2024 Coach Gathering. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.
Brian Treece and Alexis Halbert catching up between sessions at the 2024 Coach Gathering.
Brian Treece and Alexis Halbert catching up between sessions at the 2024 Coach Gathering. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.
Jen Danifo visiting with Michelle Wilson at the 2024 Heart & Soul Coach Gathering.
Jen Danifo visiting with Michelle Wilson at the 2024 Heart & Soul Coach Gathering. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.

Peer Support

As a final activity following the topical sessions, Jason Neises facilitated a peer advice workshop. Coaches brought their questions and concerns to the table, received feedback, and left with actionable plans. The collaborative, practical approach to discussing problems faced in the field was highly valued, and attendees greatly appreciated the opportunity to discuss their challenges with peers.

Bill Flood contributing topics for a peer advice workshop at the 2024 Coach Gathering.
Bill Flood contributing topics for a peer advice workshop at the 2024 Coach Gathering. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.
Bob Donohue contributing topics for a peer advice workshop at the 2024 Coach Gathering.
Bob Donohue contributing topics for a peer advice workshop at the 2024 Coach Gathering. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.

Coach Certification Recognition

The 2024 Coach Gathering also offered an opportunity to recognize the significant achievements of people within the Heart & Soul network. Erik Estrada, Michelle Wodtke Franks, Cat Ingraham, Jim Manning, Alice Trowbridge, and Ira Weissman were celebrated for their hard work and dedication to achieve Level 2 certification. Level 2 certification requires coaching a community through the Heart & Soul process.

When asked about his Level 2 recognition, Ira Weissman humbly said, “The credit belongs to the people who were on the Core Team. They were the ones who did the work, I just pointed the direction a little bit and gave them some training. I’m interested in continuing Heart & Soul coaching to bring people together and have them feel good about themselves too.”

From left to right: New Level 2 Coaches Jim Manning, Michelle Wodtke Franks, and Ira Weissman are recognized for their achievements.
From left to right: New Level 2 Coaches Jim Manning, Michelle Wodtke Franks, and Ira Weissman are recognized for their achievements. Photo credit: Rustbelt Mayberry Photography.

Key Takeaways

The 2024 Coach Gathering was a testament to the strength and resilience of the Community Heart & Soul network. Special thanks go to the Coach Gathering Organizing Committee for planning the topical sessions, as well as to the various session presenters. By bringing people together and fostering meaningful discussions, the event provided valuable support and inspiration for Heart & Soul Coaches. It gave them a chance to learn from each other, and for many the time spent in Chicago provided an opportunity to connect in-person for the first time. As one Coach put it,

Coaches brought home a wealth of new ideas to implement and share as they continue helping residents in their local areas identify what they love most about their communities, the future they want, and how to achieve it.

Visit our Coach page or contact us to learn more about Community Heart & Soul’s network of certified Coaches and how they help build stronger, more vibrant small cities and towns across the United States.

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