HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-04-09-2020-min (Steering Committee)
Meeting Minutes – Lexington 20/20 Vision
Steering Committee Meeting – April 9, 1999
Members Present:
Fernando Quezada, Robin DiGiammarino, Gerrie Weathers, Helen
Cohen, Peggy Perry, Clark Cowen, Alan Lazarus, Todd Burger, Paul Mammola, Marjorie
Platt, Peter Lee, Peter Enrich.
Staff:
Richard White, Candy McLaughlin, Michael Baker, Beth Anne Sobieszczyk
Call to Order
Introduction of new members: Gerrie Weathers, Paul Mammola, and Todd Burger
Review of minutes of previous meeting
Selection of Town Meeting Presenter
Peggy Perry was chosen to present 20/20 Vision to Town Meeting on Monday, April 12.
Governance Structure of Steering Committee
The Committee discussed leadership options. Should it be shared leadership, vice-
chairmanship or rotating Chairmanships? The determination is that Fernando will
continue as Chair of the Steering Committee with Peter Enrich and Marjorie Platt as co-
chairs.
Identify Consultants
The Committee chose Planners Collaborative (PC) to lead and guide the visioning
process. This was a very difficult decision for the group. After much debate, the
Committee vote ended in a tie (6 to 6). One member conceded his vote for the benefit of
the decision, thus PC was selected.
How should we begin the process? We began by hearing the views of those who attended
the second interview session and people shared their observations and intuitions about the
two consultants. A summary of the Committee’s thoughts can be found below.
QL Consulting
QL understands how to construct a clear vision. He has good resources, including skilled
facilitators. His approach is direct but not abrasive and has a he good track record. On
the other hand, people still believe that he will turn people off. Some were also
dissatisfied with this element of his process that allows participants to choose which
expert subcommittee they want to be on. They fear that this will make the process into
more of an issue debate, leading to an entrenchment of positions and conflict could arise.
Planners Collaborative
We’re sure that Joe will be a first rate facilitator, but we haven’t yet met other PC
members who may have a role in facilitation. Based on the second discussion with Joe
Todd Burger determined that there are 4 basic mistakes that Joe is aware of and knows to
watch out for: 1. Failure to focus on goals you can actually accomplish, 2. Failure to
carve out tasks we are capable of doing, 3. Failure to overestimate a person’s willingness
to change, 4. The inability to know what’s comfortable for participants. Members used
Joe’s story about reaching out to shellfishermen in Rhode Island as an example of how to
ensure that the process is inclusionary.
When asked his opinion, Rick made only one comment: he reminded the Committee that
the best decisions to come out of a process result from the isolation of conflicts. This is
the new and much touted method of achieving consensus.
What will be required from us?
The Committee must work closely with the consultant, not matter who is chosen, and
neither is necessarily going to be more time consuming. What is your preference? To to
manage the process or the person?
At Rick’s request they agreed to advise PC to structure the process so that it begins with a
kick-off meeting, like that in QL’s process.
Timeframe and timeline readjustment
The next Steering Committee will be held on April 30. In the meantime, Rick will meet
with Marjorie, Peter Enrich, Fernando and Todd to negotiate with PC. All members are
welcome to attend these meetings.
Adjourn