Introduction to CommunityMatters Workshop in Newport Vermont

COMMUNITYMATTERS – NEWPORT, VERMONT

Connecting Citizens, Activating Change

Agenda

10:00 – 11:30 AM

11:30 – 12:15 PM

12:15 – 1:45 PM

1:45 – 2:00 PM

2:00 – 3:30 PM

3:30 – 3:45 PM

3:45 – 4:30 PM

4:30 – 5:00 PM

Introduction

Lunch…. Mmm!

Tools & Approaches 1

Break

Tools & Approaches 2

Break

Moving Forward

Closing

Agreements

• Respect • Actively listen • Help everyone get a

chance to speak.• Be concise and stay

on topic.

• Stay engaged • Personal stories stay

in the group.• Speak for yourself,

not for others.• It’s OK to disagree

Agreements

How have citizens* changed?

More educated

More skeptical

More connected

Less time

* “citizens” = residents, people

The Context

The regular opportunities,

activities, and arenas that

allow people to connect with

each other, solve problems,

make decisions, and be

part of a community.

Civic Infrastructure

Image: Smart Growth America

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Lack of public spaces for citizens

WEA

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re Grassroots groups that need help

Retrieved from Cincinnati.com, July 27, 2012

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Three minutes at the microphone

Political LeadershipTr

ansp

orta

tion

Plan

ning

Econ

omic

Dev

elop

men

t

Des

ign

& C

onst

ructi

on

Cultu

re/C

ivic

/Soc

ial

Faci

lities

& P

rogr

amm

ing

Residents/Community

Orgs

Merchants/Business Owners

Developers /Property Owners

Advocacy/Philanthropy /

NPO Orgs

Com

mun

ityPu

blic

Adm

inis

trati

on

WEA

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So what?

So what?

So what?

So what?

So what?

So what?

∨NOW

3. Democratic decision-making and problem-solving

Creating Spaces

for Citizens

Building

Skills &

Capacity

Improving

Public

Decision-

Making and

Problem-

Solving

Building Blocks

1. Democratic spaces in neighborhoods, schools and other settings

2. Democratic spaces online

3. Democratic spaces for young people

4. Buildings that can house citizen spaces – physical hubs for engagement

5. Engagement leadership

Creating Spaces for Citizens

SPACES FOR CITIZENS: PHYSICAL SPACES

Physical Spaces

Spaces for Citizens

Democratic Spaces for Young People

Spaces for CitizensLee Krohn Photo

Spaces for Citizens

Local Online Forums

6. Public information dissemination

7. Engagement skills training

8. Tracking, measurement and technical assistance to improve engagement

Building Skills & Capacity

Civic Skills & Capacity

Proactive Recruitment

CIVIC SKILLS: ENGAGEMENT SKILLS TRAINING

Civic Skills & Capacity

Engagement Skills Training

Civic Skills & Capacity

Civic Skills & Capacity

Grassroots Grantmaking

Civic Skills & Capacity

Community Indicators

9. Official public meetings that are more participatory and effective

10. Recurring deliberative processes on key issues and decisions

11. Systems that encourage innovation by citizens

12. Cross-sector problem-solving teams

Democratic Decision-Making and Problem-Solving

Changing Public Meetings

Participation Ordinance

“Sometimes you need a meeting that is also a party. Sometimes you need a party that is also a meeting.”

Gloria Rubio-Cortès, National Civic League

Decision-Making & Problem-Solving

How We Can Help

Questions or Comments?

Describing Newport

Strengths & Assets

Challenges

Shar

ed V

alue

s &

Sen

se o

f Pla

ce

Community services equally accessible to all

Environmental, economic, social issues considered in planning

Community cooperates with neighboring communities

Community has an optimistic spirit

Com

ing

Toge

ther

People are willing to work together

Collaborative projects are encouraged and respected

High level of trust between individuals and groups in the community

Sufficient gathering places for informal social interaction