About
VISION
We envision a society that is comprised of intentionally sustainable neighborhoods, which accommodate the basic needs of all people and the planet. These intentionally sustainable neighborhoods are new or existing neighborhoods, which are characterized by four qualities:
- Economically feasible to create and inhabit
- Environmentally conscious in policy and practice
- Socially inclusive of diverse people
- Intentionally focused on cultivating the above qualities
Mission
Our mission is two-fold:
- To discover best practices and models of intentionally sustainable neighborhoods through credible research methods.
- To actively support the increased use of these best practices and models through neighborhood-based education initiatives.
Practice
We are committed to advancing our mission by:
- Creating cross-sector collaborative partnerships with government, business, academic and non-profit partners in order to leverage broad-based knowledge, practices and resources that effectively support neighborhood sustainability.
- Creating neighborhood partnerships with neighborhoods that have a core group of committed volunteers, an expressed desire to create and implement a vision of neighborhood sustainability, and an expressed desire to form a collaborative partnership with IISN.
- Developing and implementing research, education, and operation initiatives in collaboration with cross-sector and neighborhood partners.
- Developing leadership skill and experience for the creation of a more sustainable society through our internship program.
History
- In December 2006, a seed was planted when a handful of people convened to discuss the idea of starting a new organization to support sustainable communities.
- A steering committee was formed and an eight month exploratory process ensued under the working title of Sustainable Communities Association (SCA). This process culminated in a stakeholder summit in July 2007.
- In August, an Organizational Survey of more than 50 organizations was completed to determine if the prospective work of SCA was already being conducted by other organizations.
- In September 2007, the steering team decided that a great need exists for a new organization focused on supporting neighborhood sustainability, and IISN was formally launched.
- The first order of business was to dissolve the steering committee and install a board of directors.
- Next, an Executive Director was appointed, an Operations Coordinator was hired, and a handful of student interns were recruited.
- The staff and board members worked together to finalize the organizational vision and mission statement and create a three-year strategic plan. This plan includes a number of key initiatives that are designed to create a foundation of knowledge and practices that will both enhance the capacity, and shape the future direction, of IISN.