Community Builders (57 Responses)

• Quality of individuals

o kind, friendly, accepting and caring
o want to be here and likes this community
o open-minded, willing to listen, open to change and new ideas
o well educated and motivated
o interested in community
o law-abiding and respectful
o bright and affluent

• Citizens in and around area: willing to take risks, to be “cutting-edge,” willing to make a difference, interested in greater good, economic stability and growth
• Emphasis on cooperation and partnerships
• Fairly easy to gain consensus (population with similar goals)
• Caring administration
• Interest in building a learning community
• Quality of life (schools, public safety, jobs, housing, retail and activities for all ages)
• Strong Community Education Advisory Council with history of involvement
• Strong commitment to maintaining health of community
• Strong sense of community and resiliency
• People brought in by good companies (well educated and caring)
• Focus on planning rather than reacting
• Interest in improving community

Involvement and Service (32 Responses)

• Strong community involvement
• High motivation to give back with time and money
• Large number of doers
• High level of citizenship and involvement in community events and programs
• Awareness of what’s going on and willingness to pull their weight
• High-level of care about children, one another and creating a good future
• Varied opportunities for involvement in schools, churches, businesses, community and organizations
• Many youth involved through Community Service Learning
• Strong volunteer base and educated citizenry enriches community

Values (26 Responses)

• Strong Iowa, Midwest, community values
• High expectations
• Value lifelong learning, success, family, education and quality of life
• Sense of what’s right and wrong as community
• History of community (Historic Valley Junction – past and future of Valley Junction)

Resources (19 Responses)

• Wealth of resources and money
• People with expertise and willingness to serve
• Agencies that offer assistance
• Array of activities
• Great community strength in its strong human resources

Building Relationships (17 Responses)

• Sense of community and small town spirit despite population
• Friendliness and lack of tribalism
• Open-minded to new ideas and trends
• Many social and event opportunities for people to meet people
• Sense of community created by Valley Junction (farmer’s market, parades, antique shows and Music in the Junction)
• Cultural activities, cookouts and summer activities

Atmosphere (16 Responses)

• Positive image and reputation
• Manageable needs and problems
• High quality of life
• Can-do spirit
• Achievement-oriented
• Continually improving
• Willingness to collaborate
• Common interests throughout community
• Growing knowledge of West Des Moines problems
• Phenix Elementary family support system

Diversity Awareness (16 Responses)

• Community becoming more diverse (age, ethnicity and income)
• Acceptance of and support for all kinds of diversity
• Powerful diversity we can draw on
• More opportunities about diversity
• Diverse housing
• World awareness

Support Systems (12 Responses)

Community members support education, lifelong learning, progressivism, local government, community improvements and the arts

Religion (10 Responses)

• Strong religious organizations and faith communities
• Variety of churches