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Creating Actions from Values

Contributed by: DR. SEAN REIF D.C. on 12/17/2007

"VALUES DRIVEN" comprehensive plans possess 2 key attributes. 1 st, they are shaped by the issues and values identified by citizens participations in the planning process. 2 nd, they connect citizen values and goals with a clearly defined agenda for action. Given this emphasis on implementation, it is reasonable to ask whether these plans are making a difference in the real world.

These plans differ from the top-down, policy based plans of the past. There is little doubt that economic and development activity in the past 5 years has placed great strains on local government. In general, government has not exhibited the flexibility required to effectively deal with either the concerns of the citizens or the development community. There is now a heightened sense of urgency, a greater overall awareness, money at stake, less time, impatience, skepticism, and less tolerance, as well as a GREATER DETERMINATION on the part of the public to be involved.

A structured program of citizen and stakeholder involvement designed to identify community values and aspirations as the basis for plan development. Articulation of a vision statement or organizing conception that captures the wants and needs for the future and provides the foundation for the plan's resulting goals, policies, and implementation strategies. Translations of community values are then expressed into policy directives and actions.

The growing popularity of such values-driven plans reflects upon the citizens' demands for local government that is responsive to community concerns and is held ACCOUNTABLE to these concerns in its actions. An essential component of such plans is a schedule that sets priorities and a timeline for implementing the plan's recommendations. The plan will function as a true guide for decision making and its potential for success will be MAXIMIZED.

LEADERSHIP is absolutely critical. City Hall, citizens and civic leaders have to know and trust the people in charge of the Plan and its implementation or nothing will happen. This leadership has to be built during the planning process. Carrying over the same civic steering committee and staff should contribute to building credibility for implementation. Political leadership is essential and is worth cultivating, especially if a member of council has concerns about a particular controversial aspect of the plan.

Business, philanthropic, and institutional investment in the community contribute to the identity, stability, and growth of specific neighborhoods and community. A representative must be charged with the responsibility of convening meetings of the community anchors. Representatives of businesses and institutions along the development corridor must meet and discuss the organization's involvement of mentoring other businesses and evaluate the results of the neighborhood assessments to determine what kind of projects will be suitable for involvement by the community anchors and look at strategies used by a few businesses to enhance neighborhood vitality.

Enthusiasm and ideas of the numerous citizens and community leaders involved in developing the Plan will be translated into ACTION. To be conceived as a process that does not end with PLAN adoption but will continue into implementation, the collaborative processes used in plan development establishes a constituency and a groundwork for the continuing involvement of the community in implementation initiatives. The result is a Plan that has "CULTURE" within city government and the way it does business.


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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments
Submitted By: DR. SEAN REIF D.C.
posted on 1/6/2008 @ 6:48:21 PM
Rated Story
Working with others generally produces better performance than working alone. But alas, conversely, the presence of others has been shown to inhibit performance, as in the case of public speaking. It is argued that others may fascilitate greater effort and therefore greater effectiveness in task performance.
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Submitted By: DR. SEAN REIF D.C.
posted on 12/17/2007 @ 10:41:03 AM
Rated Story
“Learning to manage pressure and tension in my life is the basic fundamental lesson I must master to have a balanced life and where I feel happy and successful. Pressure is a tool for influencing myself to take consistent action toward success. Diamonds are rocks under intense pressure and turned into gems.”
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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

DR. SEAN REIF D.C.

THORNTON , CO

DR. SEAN REIF D.C. has posted 982 stories and 1130 comments since joining on 9/14/2005. DR. SEAN REIF D.C. 's average story rating is 3.08.
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