Common Ground – A New Era of Community Leadership
Common Ground: Building Buffalo Niagara's Next Generation of Community Stewards
Common Ground represents a pivotal moment for our region’s future. As Buffalo Niagara stands at the threshold of a generational shift in community leadership, we recognize the critical need to bridge the gap between established leaders and emerging voices who will shape our community’s tomorrow. Aleron, in partnership with Leadership Buffalo, founded this initiative.
Why We Started This Initiative
Our region faces a unique challenge: how do we ensure continuity of purpose, vision, and stewardship as longtime community leaders transition their roles to a new generation? The answer lies in creating intentional spaces for connection, mentorship, and collaborative planning.
Common Ground was born from the understanding that effective community leadership doesn’t happen by accident. It requires deliberate cultivation, thoughtful succession planning, and meaningful dialogue between those who have guided our community and those ready to carry the torch forward.
What We’re Building Together
Through a series of four foundational conversations, we’re exploring the essential questions that will define our region’s leadership landscape:
What does community leadership and stewardship truly mean in Buffalo Niagara today?
How can we navigate the generational transition while preserving institutional knowledge and vision?
What will motivate emerging leaders to step up and take ownership of our community’s future?
How do we build sustainable systems for developing and supporting new community stewards?
An Invitation to Shape Our Future
This initiative is more than a series of events—it’s a commitment to ensuring that Buffalo Niagara’s legacy of community engagement continues to thrive. Whether you’re an established leader with decades of experience or an emerging voice eager to make your mark, Common Ground offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to our region’s development, growth, and progression.
Together, we’re not just planning for stewardship transition; we’re actively creating the collaborative foundation that will drive our community forward for generations to come.
Save the date: 11/5/25 for the next Common Ground
More information coming soon.
Join the Community
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Common Ground Events
Our recent event on September 24, at the Buffalo Museum of Science continued the dialogue about the future of leadership in Buffalo Niagara. A summary of the event can be found below.
Common Ground 9/24 Event Summary:
Key themes and feedback from organizers and attendees.
The second Common Ground discussion was held on September 24, 2025, at the Buffalo Museum of Science, bringing together community leaders and emerging professionals to address the critical need for developing the next generation of stewards and leaders in Buffalo. The event was a collaboration between Aleron and Leadership Buffalo, building on the foundation laid during the first session in June.
The conversation included feedback from all attendees through audience polling. The polls and results can be viewed here.
Key Theme: Creating Community Stewards
The central focus remained on solving one specific challenge: the absence of a structured process for creating the next generation of community stewards and leaders for the Buffalo region. The conversation emphasized that stewardship encompasses more than just board positions—it includes volunteering, community engagement, and any commitment of time to support organizations that benefit the region.
Participant Insights: Current State of Leadership
Community Leadership Characteristics (Word Cloud Results): The most prominent terms that emerged when participants described Buffalo’s community leadership were:
- Overstretched – reflecting the reality that the same small group of people serves across multiple organizations
- Old – indicating both age demographics and outdated approaches
- Siloed – highlighting the lack of collaboration between organizations
- Afraid – suggesting fear of taking risks and intimidation by the city’s historic legacy
- Fractured – pointing to disconnected efforts and competing rather than collaborating
Major Barriers Identified
Primary Obstacles to Community Engagement:
- Organizations feel exclusive or hard to enter (16 responses) – The most significant barrier
- Lack of awareness about opportunities and how to get involved
- Time constraints and competing priorities
- Financial barriers to traditional philanthropic engagement
- Limited capacity for authentic mentorship
Generational Challenges:
- Established leaders ready to pass the baton but unsure who to approach
- Younger generations interested in engagement but lacking clear entry points
- Communication style differences between generations
- Need for updated access points beyond traditional galas and formal events
Solutions with Highest Impact Potential
Top-Ranked Immediate Impact Solutions:
- Formal mentorship/matching programs – Participants emphasized the transformative power of having someone champion their development
- Leadership training and development programs – Focusing on practical skills like reading financial statements and board governance
- Clearer pathways for engagement – Better communication about opportunities and requirements
- Skills-based volunteering matching – Connecting people’s expertise with organizational needs
Key Insights on Engagement Preferences
Most Appealing Engagement Formats:
- Small group project teams (5-8 people) – Allows for authentic relationship building and partnership development
- Skills-based volunteering matching – Efficient use of talents and expertise
- Community forums and regular discussions – Continued networking and learning opportunities
- One-on-one mentoring relationships – Personal development and guidance
Priority Areas for Action
Top Two Priorities Identified:
- Expand outreach to underrepresented communities – Ensuring diverse voices are included from the beginning of initiatives
- Launch a Buffalo stewardship portal – Create a centralized matching system between individuals and organizations/causes
Notable Innovations and Programs Highlighted
Existing Resources:
- BoardStrong (Nickel City Nonprofits) – Free board matching service
- Volunteer Western New York – Central hub for volunteer opportunities
- M&T Bank’s Next Up Leadership Program – Free leadership development
- Impact HQ – Capacity building for nonprofit leaders
- Leadership Buffalo programs
Success Stories:
- Leadership Buffalo graduates successfully engaging with organizations like Seneca Street CDC
- Teen STEM Initiative at the Museum of Science engaging young people in civic life
- University at Buffalo’s WNY Prosperity Fellowship developing young leaders
Generational and Demographic Insights
Emerging Leader Characteristics:
- 25-34 age group was one of the few demographic brackets that grew in Buffalo according to 2020 census
- Young professionals, particularly young parents, need flexible engagement opportunities
- Remote workers who work for non-WNY companies represent an untapped resource for community engagement
- Need for “third spaces” beyond workplace and home for authentic community connection
Communication and Access Needs:
- Importance of meeting people where they are rather than expecting them to adapt to traditional formats
- Need for institutional support (paid volunteer time, flexible scheduling)
- Value of personal invitations and encouragement over general announcements
Actionable Next Steps Committed to by Participants
Immediate Commitments:
- Invite someone new to the next Common Ground – Expanding the circle of engagement
- Connect with someone you met at the event – Building new professional relationships
- Reach out to potential mentors or mentees – Activating mentorship opportunities
- Join working groups or volunteer – Taking concrete action steps
Future Considerations
Structural Improvements Needed:
- Breaking down organizational silos through collaborative funding and programming
- Creating technology-enabled solutions for community engagement
- Developing succession planning within organizations
- Building authentic relationships across generational and demographic lines
- Establishing regular opportunities for networking and relationship building
Cultural Shifts Required:
- Moving from scarcity mindset to abundance thinking
- Embracing failure as learning opportunity rather than avoiding it
- Prioritizing inclusion of diverse voices from project inception
- Valuing sponsorship alongside mentorship
Looking Ahead
The next Common Ground session is scheduled for November 5th at Northland Workforce Training Center.
The event successfully moved beyond identifying problems to developing concrete solutions and commitments, establishing a foundation for sustainable community stewardship development in Buffalo.
Resources
Community Commons is a comprehensive platform for community development resources.