[Vision-l] Imagine Columbia's Future - Important Date Reminder

[vision-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

On behalf of Dianne Drainer and Jeffrey Williams, I want to thank
everyone for their contribution and support of Columbia's Visioning
project.  During the Big Idea Gathering Meetings last fall, nearly 1,500
ideas were submitted for what should be done to make Columbia the best
it can be.

Since January 2007, approximately 350 volunteers have been working to
identify primary goals for a range of broad issues derived from the
original 1,500 big ideas.  Thirteen Citizen Topic Groups have been
drafting goals and outlining strategies to implement those goals.

Whether you have been working in a Citizen Topic Group consistently or
haven't been able to attend a single meeting, you are cordially invited
to attend the Visioning mid-term review on Wednesday!
                Exploring the Vision Workshop
	Wednesday, April 4, 2007, 
	6PM-8PM
	Stephens College,
	Kimball Ballroom at Lela Raney Wood Hall
	6 N. College Avenue

This will be the community's chance to see whether the emerging vision
is on track.  As a workshop participant, you will rate goals for a broad
range of community issues and provide feedback on the strategies that
have been outlined to achieve each goal. Volunteers from all 13 Citizen
Topic Groups will use this input to gauge whether the emerging vision
reflects the concerns and priorities of the entire community.  They will
work through the summer to develop a final vision by late summer 2007. 


PLEASE NOTE:  The subtopic goals and strategies for all 13 topic groups
are now available in an online press kit at
http://gocolumbiamo.com/Public_Comm/Visioning/documents/VisionPressKit.pdf.

Participation from all segments of our community is crucial to the
overall success of the process and your help in spreading the word about
this event would be very much appreciated. Please invite your family,
friends and neighbors to come be a part of this important event.

        Here are important highlights of the workshop:

Assembly
Each Citizen Topic Group will present its draft subtopic goals. As the
goals are read, attendees will rate each of the draft goals in terms
of
its importance to Columbia on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the
least
important and 5 being the most important.

Marketplace of Ideas
Individuals can visit any of the Citizen Topic Group stations to learn
more about the work of the group(s) and provide feedback. There will
be
comment cards at each of the stations that list the group*s draft
goals and priority strategies, and it will provide space to write down
comments. The Topic Groups will use these cards to revise and refine
their work through the summer months.

Follow Up
In Summer 2007, another public workshop will be held called Community
Choices. Attendees will have an opportunity to comment on the results
of
the Citizen Topic Group work and to express priorities for the future
of
Columbia.

For more information, call 573-874-7214, or log on to the City of
Columbia*s website, www.visitcolumbiamo.com and click on Imagine
Columbia*s Future.

Thanks for your continued interest and support.  I hope to see you this
Wednesday, April 4, 2007.



Renee Graham
Public Communications Officer
City of Columbia 
701 E. Broadway, PO Box 6015
Columbia, MO  65205-6015
573-874-7316 (phone)
573-442-8828 (fax)
RYG at GoColumbiaMO.com 

JOIN the vision...SHARE your ideas...DECIDE Columbia's future!
For more information, go to www.GoColumbiaMo.com 
and click on Imagine Columbia's Future

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