On January 22nd, MBD staff began the process of developing the Community Economic Think Space.
Objective:
The think space will be to explore and analyze the in-depth impacts of microenterprise development, foster grassroots community building, and create awareness of the issues surrounding community economic growth and health. Finally, the think tank will involve every member of the community in the creation and implementation of solutions to community-wide issues.
Goals:
To include, inform, and influence policy makers
To provide people with a forum to advocate for themselves and their communities
To develop and implement solutions to community issues
The Think Space will be...
A forum for community members, service providers, funders, and policy makers to come together and share ideas, identify issues, and push the edges of community economic development. The think space will create awareness of the issues of community business owners, moblize support, and foster community engagement from all sectors of the community. The think space will be fueled by the needs of the community members, providing a voice and involving them in all phases of the project. The think tank will also identify best practices within Microenterprise to help ensure that efficient, relevant, and timely services are being provided to entrepreneurs in Colorado. Additionally, it will make connections to other industries working towards overall community economic development, and develop a broader strategy for reaching a common goal.
Above all, the think space will be a centralized and focused forum for idea sharing and learning in the community, whatever that community may grow to be, and it will be driven by the needs of that community.
The Community will...
-Provide input on economic issues facing business owners and other members of the community
-Advocate for themselves and the community
-Plan and attend regular, community-led information sessions
-Take lead roles in the implementation of intiatives and solutions
-Actively engage in networking and idea-sharing tools
MBD Clients will...
-Form key focus groups to brainstorm focus areas
-Identify strategies for including people in the think space
-Disseminate information to the greater community
MBD Staff will...
-Help to identify key members of the community
-Drive internal efforts through participation in the innovation box and staff learning opportunities
-Identify and research industry 'hot topics'
-Facilitate community forums and keep momentum going
The Community Economic Development Think Space is designed to think beyond the status quo when it comes to holistic community development; to push the envelope and create strategies that will influence policy, improve community networks and services, and utlimately redefine what community economic development means.
Let us hear what you have to say!
This is merely the begining of the conversation, and we invite all those who have ideas and concepts to share to do so by utilizing this blog and by taking part in the upcoming community forums.
The high-level sessions are about the only activities to take place in the General Assembly room, above. These sessions opened on Wednesday and continued for the last 3 days of the conference. There is a changing of the guard just before, when the higher-ranking delegates replace some of the delegates from the first part of the conference.
Unlike the General Assembly room, the room where most of the negotiations took place was not very austere. The bright screen at the front left corner is where the text of the policy document was projected for all to see and comment on.
Unlike the General Assembly room, the room where most of the negotiations took place was not very austere. The bright screen at the front left corner is where the text of the policy document was projected for all to see and comment on.
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