[Vision-l] Help Us Imagine Columbia's Future!

[vision-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

Things have been moving quickly since the initial Visioning forum this past May, when those in attendance overwhelmingly supported moving forward with the process.  At its meeting on September 18, the Columbia City Council approved Visioning and Planning, Ltd. (ACP) of New York City to be the official consultant for Columbia's Visioning process.  ACP  assisted the initial visioning phase in Columbia by conducting the forum held in May of this year, and has also worked with communities from Springfield, MO to Champaing, IL.   

Help is needed as Columbia's community visioning process becomes a reality.  Applicants are still being sought for Vision Committee Co-Chairs and Citizen Topic Group Facilitators--these are very important leadership positions in the Imagine Columbia's Future visioning process.  Vision Committee Co-Chairs will be responsible for the overall coordination of the Vision Process, as well as acting as liaison with the Sponsors Council and their assigned Citizen Topic Groups.  Citizen Topic Group Co-Facilitators will coordinate all meetings for their Citizen Topic Group.  Job descriptions and applications are available online at http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Public_Comm/Visioning/index.php.  If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering your time for these positions, please complete the online application at and return it to the City by October 6, 2006.

You are also encouraged to complete, if you have not already done so, the citizen survey seeking input on what topic groups should be formed.  This form is available to be completed online.  Deadline for submissions is September 27, 2006.  Come learn more about the process at Fall Vision Festivals in October:

Festival Locations--Saturday, October 7, 2006

Douglass High School, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Smithton Middle School, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Gentry Middle School, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Festival Locations--Saturday, October 14, 2006

Jefferson Junior High School, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Lange Middle School, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

There will be food, music and children's activities at the festivals and they are free to the public.  We hope you will join us to learn more about the different ways you can participate in the Vision!  
Thank you for your continued interest in imagining Columbia's future.