July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
A remarkable process so far
Back in the Saddle
First, a correction.
In an article last week about the latest 20/20 Vision meetings, I reported that more than 100 people were on hand. That was based on a rough count, along with the fact that 96 chairs were available and folks were standing.
It turns out the official count was 86. My error.
Still, even if I was off in my count, it was a remarkable evening.
All of the 20/20 sessions so far have been.
First at Jay County High School, then at West Jay Middle School, and most recently at the school annex at Holy Trinity Catholic Church east of Bryant, a broad array of local citizens has gathered to brainstorm about the community's future.
Strengths and weaknesses have been tallied. Opportunities and threats have been noted.
As a veteran of the first community effort at strategic planning locally 25 years ago, I find the current initiative awe-inspiring.
That first effort, which was led by the Portland Area Chamber of Commerce, was much narrower in its focus. This current project is much broader in scope, looking at things from a county-wide perspective and not just focusing on industry.
As a result, the conversations that have been launched are wide-ranging and meaningful. Tough questions about the community's acceptance of diversity, the scope of the local methamphetamine problem, the limited number of career choices for women, attitudes toward education and aspiration on the part of young people, and dozens of others have been raised.
That doesn't mean they've been resolved, of course.
But there's something profoundly impressive about seeing 80-plus people at West Jay or Trinity seriously discussing complicated issues that will have an impact on the community's future.
And it's especially important that the discussion doesn't just involve the usual voices and usual faces.
There has been a concerted effort to cast a wide net, and there's been an emphasis on making sure the whole county can be involved.
That's not easy, and it says something about the seriousness and commitment of those involved that they're willing to drive pretty long miles to be on hand. Redkey town council members Doug Stanley and Dottie Quakenbush, for instance, might have found Trinity a little bit out of their way last week; but they were there, adding their voices.
One of the biggest challenges has been to win the participation of the county's young people, its future leaders, so it was gratifying last week to see that there were 20-30 new participants and about a dozen were in the 22-35 age range.
They have a unique perspective, and it's important that they be heard.
For that matter, it's important for you to be heard as well.
The 20/20 Vision process isn't a closed shop. New people are added all the time. All you have to do is show up and join in the discussion.
The next session is set for 6 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 22 at Holy Trinity. I'll be out of town and unable to attend, but you can have my seat at the table.[[In-content Ad]]
In an article last week about the latest 20/20 Vision meetings, I reported that more than 100 people were on hand. That was based on a rough count, along with the fact that 96 chairs were available and folks were standing.
It turns out the official count was 86. My error.
Still, even if I was off in my count, it was a remarkable evening.
All of the 20/20 sessions so far have been.
First at Jay County High School, then at West Jay Middle School, and most recently at the school annex at Holy Trinity Catholic Church east of Bryant, a broad array of local citizens has gathered to brainstorm about the community's future.
Strengths and weaknesses have been tallied. Opportunities and threats have been noted.
As a veteran of the first community effort at strategic planning locally 25 years ago, I find the current initiative awe-inspiring.
That first effort, which was led by the Portland Area Chamber of Commerce, was much narrower in its focus. This current project is much broader in scope, looking at things from a county-wide perspective and not just focusing on industry.
As a result, the conversations that have been launched are wide-ranging and meaningful. Tough questions about the community's acceptance of diversity, the scope of the local methamphetamine problem, the limited number of career choices for women, attitudes toward education and aspiration on the part of young people, and dozens of others have been raised.
That doesn't mean they've been resolved, of course.
But there's something profoundly impressive about seeing 80-plus people at West Jay or Trinity seriously discussing complicated issues that will have an impact on the community's future.
And it's especially important that the discussion doesn't just involve the usual voices and usual faces.
There has been a concerted effort to cast a wide net, and there's been an emphasis on making sure the whole county can be involved.
That's not easy, and it says something about the seriousness and commitment of those involved that they're willing to drive pretty long miles to be on hand. Redkey town council members Doug Stanley and Dottie Quakenbush, for instance, might have found Trinity a little bit out of their way last week; but they were there, adding their voices.
One of the biggest challenges has been to win the participation of the county's young people, its future leaders, so it was gratifying last week to see that there were 20-30 new participants and about a dozen were in the 22-35 age range.
They have a unique perspective, and it's important that they be heard.
For that matter, it's important for you to be heard as well.
The 20/20 Vision process isn't a closed shop. New people are added all the time. All you have to do is show up and join in the discussion.
The next session is set for 6 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 22 at Holy Trinity. I'll be out of town and unable to attend, but you can have my seat at the table.[[In-content Ad]]
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD