SP Task Force Meeting, 4/24/07

Our 2nd meeting, we hosted Gary Baker of KZMX Radio, who is a degreed, certified planner. Also attending the meeting by invitation were representatives of several of the other Horizons task forces. Mr. Baker presented a basic overview of the methods of strategic planning as pertains to social planning as well as community involvement and citizens groups. He covered Goal Setting and Objectives; Analysis of Knowledge, including data collection and modeling; Indicators (Social, Economic, Environmental); Implementation, including financing and budgeting; Sociopolitical Process; Local Government in Human Services Planning; and Methodology.

Following the presentation and a brief break, we began the real work of setting our own goals and formulating a proposed time line. In preparation for the discussion of goal setting, we heard from John Phelan, reporting on his research into citizens' advisory committees in Hot Springs (namely, that there aren't any!). It was suggested that the City Statutes be referenced as to the legality of forming citizens' advisory committees or inclusion of citizens on standing committees on the City Council. A suggestion was made to purchase a city manual for our use, with some of the available monies budgeted for our task force. Gloria Aspinal reported on her research on the last city election and how Horizons can impact the next election.

Each member of the task force was then asked to present one goal for consideration by the team. From the good ideas presented, one short term and two long term goals were selected to work on:
1) Short term goal--Get Out to Vote Campaign, in which a subcommittee was formed consisting of Gloria Aspinall, Kelli Juhl, and John Phelan. Proposal is to contact each of the 126 original members of the Horizons Study Groups and get each one to contact from 3 to 5 people, urging them to vote in the June City Election. Purpose is to increase citizen voice in the local government.
2) Long term goal--Training Opportunities for the SP Task Force, consisting of ongoing instruction in phases of strategic planning. Various speakers will be invited to our meetings, and a trip to the Small Business Incubator at the School of Mines is in planning. To this end, Kelli Juhl will be presenting the topic of "Sustainability in Planning" at our next meeting.
3) Long term goal--Establish a knowledgeable 'Strategic Planning Resource Group' to provide planning services and develop resources to local business ventures, start-up groups and community action plans to facilitate their success.

Kelli Juhl and Gary Baker were welcomed as new members of the task force. Chip Johnson has resigned due to responsibilities to LeadershipPlenty.

The 'Get Out to Vote' subcommittee will meet Tuesday, May 1, at 2 pm to begin working on this goal. The next meeting of the whole SP Task Force is scheduled for Tuesday, May 29, at 7 PM at the Canyon Cottage. Please try to attend for Kelli's interesting presentation--we really need your support and your voice!!

Linda Johnson
Recorder

Welcome to the Hot Springs Horizons SP Group

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