"One thing that distinguishes this approach to economic development from others is that it is driven by the values and goals of the community. It is not driven exclusively by business considerations, but by ALL community values, including those related to business. So we are going to do exercises to help us identify those values. The all help us envision what we might call our "PREFERRED FUTURE." In a later meeting, we will use the results of these preferred future exercises to decide which projects that community should pursue. While we are doing these exercises, notice how your values compare with those of other residents, especially people with whom you may disagree.

The sheets that have been handed out contain questions, one for each of the exercises. Your answers will remain anonymous. At the end of the meeting we will collect you sheets and the results will be compiled by volunteers into a single list of common interests, which we will distribute at a future meeting.

In a moment you will respond to the first question and write down things about the community that you love. Not just the things you like, but those you feel strongly about. One way to think about this is to imagine that you are talking to your favorite cousin or a friend who knows nothing about the area. You want to persuade her to move here. What would you tell her?

We want to strongly suggest that, for the time being, you not list specific projects, programs, or activities. There will be plenty of time later for specifics. Rather, for this session, indicate broad aspects, values, characteristics, and other things that you love.

At the front of the room is a list of categories to remind you of the kinds of things you may want to list. You might say such things as: safe streets, enough income for a decent standard of living, clean air, don't have to lock your doors, jobs for young people, supportive neighbors.

Before we start writing down our thoughts, let's brainstorm for a moment. In brainstorming, there are no wrong ideas. One person says his idea, the next person doesn't criticize his thoughts, she just says her idea.

"What would you mention about the community to convince your cousin to come to this town?

Brainstorming gets people thinking broadly about the question. Don't negate the specifics, acknowledge the suggestion and indicate what reasons, interests, or goals underlie the specific project. Some will respond right away, then call upon all who aren't raising their hand but have something to say. Now the group understands the instructions. Each participant hears what others value. This builds trust.

One more thing: you may be concerned that the results of these exercises are superficial or incomplete. Let me assure you, there will be plenty of time later to develop complete ideas. OK, you have 10 minutes, GO!

If you are racking your brains for the best answer, consider that someone else may think of it. So just write whatever important things come to mind.

This list tells us what we want to PRESERVE about our community. We've begun to build our preferred future. To complete it, we will look for what we want to create. But before we do that, let us spend about 45 minutes hearing about how OTHER communities have developed themselves in more sustainable ways.

Economic Renewal is different from the consultant approach to economic development. A consultant would analyze our community and recommend what we should do. But we know best what our community is and what it ought to be. We are the MOST qualified people to determine our needs, identify our problems, and figure out what to do about them. Economic Renewal offers us the experience of other towns, but allows us to decide for ourselves what ought to be done.

However, in taking the responsibility for making our own choices, our role in these meetings must shift from passive observers to active citizens. We can't be couch potatoes. We must use Economic Renewal to spark our own ideas. Without a serious personal effort by each of us to think creatively, we will just be going through the motions with these meetings.

Carefully consider each principle and tool in this presentation. Think about ways in which each applies in our community. And please don't STOP thinking about them when you leave this room. If you haven't already done so, please pick up a copy of the handout "Instructions to Economic Renewal". Read it, study it and think about what the community might do differently in light of these ideas.

We will liven up the presentation with a skit by the local high school drama class. We will use a leaky bucket to demonstrate "plugging the leaks" and a deflated basketball to portray "pumping up local business", a cheerleader acts out "encouraging new local business", and a fisherman with a pole depicting "recruitment of new business by using the right kind of bait to catch the right fish."

When we listed what we love about the community, we were, saying what we want to preserve. Next, to identify what we want to create, we start by saying what we would like to change. Imagine that your in-laws just called and they are thinking about coming to visit. Think of things that might tell them to discourage them from coming. Not unrealistic, think broadly about the things you would like to change. Include not only what the community looks like, but also how it makes decisions and deals with conflict. List WHAT about the community should be changed, not HOW it should be changed. For instance, "High school graduates can't find jobs," or "Downtown looks run-down."

NOW, move into the third exercise. To identify what we want to create in our community, let's look at the positive side of each of our answers to the previous question. What would the community be like or what would happen if we could change the things we listed. Consider them in order, and list these positive things on the bottom half of the worksheet. For example, if our first answer to the previous question was "not enough affordable housing" then our corresponding answer to this question will probably be something like "ADEQUATE affordable housing."

Again, we want to strongly suggest that, for the time being, you not limit ourselves too specific projects, programs, or facilities. Rather, consider broad aspects and characteristics of the community. The problem is that if you jump from you problems to solutions without considering a range of options, we might miss one that will be successful. It like "READY, FIRE" instead of "READY, AIM, FIRE." The aiming part is essential to avoid shooting yourself in the foot.

If you have a specific project or facility in mind,
look deeper by asking why you want it. For instance, people in one town were thinking about listing "parking lot at the corner of Main and First," but then they asked themselves why they wanted it. They ended up listing "convenient access to downtown businesses. Later in the process, someone suggested a new idea for a cheaper, easier way to improve access. If, early in the process, they had limited themselves to the lot on the corner, then they probably would not have discovered the new idea.

The arguments that take place in a community are usually about specific projects and proposals. In contrast, people generally agree on most goals and values. If those are identified first, it can lead to projects and programs that now one thought of before and that most people can agree on.

Any questions? Then let's complete the sheet.

Did anything come up this evening that surprised you? Do you feel any differently about our potential as a community? Let's hear your ideas about what the town will be like when things have changed for the GOOD.

Your responses will be incorporated into a single list that will tell us what we want to preserve and what we want to create to achieve our preferred future. We will bring it back to you at a future meeting for your review.

Thank all of you, everyone, for coming. Talk a little about what will happen at the next meeting. I encourage everyone to come. There are 3 groups of people here: those who have decided not to participate further in Economic Renewal, those who are undecided, and those who know that they want to participate, at least in the next meeting. Because we need to plan for that session, can I have a show of hands of people who intend to participate? Let us find out how many want to work together for a better future.

Great, we will look forward to seeing you. Remember, when you agree to participate in the next meeting, you are committing only to attend that session. You can decide later whether you want to go further. Please raise your hand if your schedule doesn't allow you to attend the NEXT session, but you would like to attend later meetings."

I thank all who will attend future sessions. Remember, those who don't attend the next meeting are still WELCOME to participate in later ones. State the date, time, and location of the next meeting.

At this time, the PROGRAM TEAM will come together for a quick debriefing. Thank you.