<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Ironwood Policy & Risk]]></title><description><![CDATA[Ironwood Policy & Risk delivers clear policy analysis and practical risk frameworks for Southwest Virginia local governments and developers.]]></description><link>https://www.ironwoodpolicyrisk.com/field-notes</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Sun, 31 May 2026 14:43:51 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.trustedblueridge.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Operational Readiness: The Step Most Organizations Skip]]></title><description><![CDATA[Most decisions don’t fail at the moment they’re made. They fail the moment they’re implemented. The reason is simple:Operational readiness is often assumed, not demonstrated. In many organizations—especially in public-sector environments—there is a clear process for evaluating whether a decision should be made. There are fewer structured processes for determining whether that decision is ready to be executed. That gap introduces risk long before implementation begins. What Operational...]]></description><link>https://www.trustedblueridge.com/post/operational-readiness-the-step-most-organizations-skip</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e3027943fd38a1bb710236</guid><pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 19:00:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26a967_5832755fce37494a9d4bc6151e9c68b2~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cody Jones</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why Most Public Decisions Fail at the ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Implementation Stage Decisions rarely fail because they are wrong. They fail because they are incomplete. In public-sector environments, there is often a clear emphasis on reaching a decision. Meetings are held, proposals are reviewed, and votes are taken. Once approval is granted, the process is treated as finished. In reality, approval is not the conclusion of a decision.It  is the beginning of execution. Without a clearly defined implementation plan, even well-intentioned decisions...]]></description><link>https://www.trustedblueridge.com/post/why-most-public-decisions-fail-at-the</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e2fd0aa96d49e56ebec0af</guid><pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 03:51:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26a967_3b30b59b62a84eb8abc13f94caeac3d4~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cody Jones</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Huntingdon Project]]></title><description><![CDATA[Huntingdon is one of Roanoke’s oldest surviving homes, built in 1819, older than the city itself. The city once eyed it for demolition, but a budget pause sparked a community rally. Neighbors, historians, and local groups are now working to save it. Dogwood &#38; Deathcap isn’t leading the effort, but we’re part of the coalition supporting the fight to preserve this irreplaceable piece of Appalachian history.]]></description><link>https://www.trustedblueridge.com/post/the-huntingdon-project</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6921e91f3c5b7fc95abc78ff</guid><category><![CDATA[Governance & Policy]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 22 Nov 2025 16:58:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26a967_6b73493df7cb429aa12b3b3df003962e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cody Jones</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Working Toward Ensuring Youth Equity in Bedford County]]></title><description><![CDATA[In October 2025, Dogwood &#38; Deathcap began reviewing how Bedford County invests in its youth. After confirming no system tracks recreation or education spending by district, we drafted the Resolution for Ensuring the Equitable and Transparent Distribution of Youth Resources in Bedford County. It’s now with our District 1 Supervisor for sponsorship to promote fairness, accountability, and equal opportunity for every child.]]></description><link>https://www.trustedblueridge.com/post/ensuring-youth-equity-in-bedford-county</link><guid isPermaLink="false">690b4fd096a2942ab278dbac</guid><category><![CDATA[Governance & Policy]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 05 Nov 2025 13:44:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26a967_8a58f16d923d4fcabd7fc13366052651~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cody Jones</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Cost of Transparency: Where We Stand in Bedford County]]></title><description><![CDATA[We’re digging into Bedford County data. If the numbers exist, we’ll share them, if not, we’ll make sure they’re tracked and public.]]></description><link>https://www.trustedblueridge.com/post/the-cost-of-transparency-where-we-stand-in-bedford-county</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6900ce9d89bc37a846b77991</guid><category><![CDATA[Governance & Policy]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 28 Oct 2025 21:34:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26a967_9477be2c776b4bdbb01cb40a094c72a3~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_218,h_209,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cody Jones</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Seeking Transparency in Bedford County’s Recreation and School Funding]]></title><description><![CDATA[What began as a frustrated post about canceled youth soccer games grew into a call for countywide transparency. After seeing neglected fields and uneven investment, I filed FOIA requests to uncover how Bedford County allocates funding for schools and recreation.]]></description><link>https://www.trustedblueridge.com/post/seeking-transparency-in-bedford-county-s-recreation-and-school-funding</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68f0592d22f12a68eccec51d</guid><category><![CDATA[Governance & Policy]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 16 Oct 2025 04:10:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/26a967_7d3f54be4d0a410ba37be6bbf8339603~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_225,h_225,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Cody Jones</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>