HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-08-13-2020-min (Streering Committee)
Meeting Notes
Steering Committee – August 13, 1999
Members Present:
Chuck Benson, Todd Burger, Helen Cohen, Robin DiGiammarino, Peter
Enrich, Alan Lazarus, Peter Lee, Paul Mammola, Fred Merrill, Peggy Perry, Marjorie Platt,
Fernando Quezada
Consultants Present:
Joe Brevard
Facilitator Present:
Jack Wofford
Staff Present:
Rick White, Candy McLaughlin, Michael Baker
Call to order
Discussion and sharing – big picture direction
Each committee member was asked to summarize the concerns they have about the process to date
and the direction in which it is going. The following themes emerged from the discussion:
the lack of a clear path for the future
the need to broaden participation and ensure inclusivity
resolving differences of opinion within the committee
planning for the Fall Meeting
the need to focus less on process moving ahead from the June workshops
clarifying the expectations of all the participants in terms of the roles they will be playing
From here, the committee answered the question, “What was Phase I all about?” Responses
included: an exercise in eliciting values and issues, and an effort in recruitment and increasing
visibility. Some expressed an expectation that in Phase I, the committee would have agreed on a
roadmap for the rest of the process.
Agreement on core framework for Phase II
Members of the Steering Committee reiterated their concern that there was uncertainty about
where the process was going and indicated a need to communicate to the participants, as well, the
direction of the process in more detailed terms. Peter Enrich noted that as he understands it, there
is agreement about the larger-scale Phase II process items, including a small set of working groups
and the provision of opportunities for participants to reconnect, even though the details haven’t
been worked out yet.
Shortly thereafter, Candy distributed a handout that presented a draft core framework of Phase II
and listed a series of unresolved questions under each major area. Candy asked if the committee
agreed with the core framework. Alan Lazarus suggested that the process may need a second
town-wide meeting to be held after the “green papers” have been developed and before the
townwide vision has been drafted (between stages 3 and 4 on the handout). Peter Enrich indicated
that perhaps a third town-wide meeting would be needed after the draft of the vision, but before the
final consensus and celebration stage. Aside from these suggestions, the committee agreed that the
essential large-scale pieces of Phase II had been captured, and the resources would be allocated
and details would be worked out in an iterative process over the next several weeks.
The committee debated the merits of having a constituent assembly. On one hand, the group may
be perceived as exclusive, yet on the other hand it may be difficult to obtain a credible product and
ensure accountability of the participants without creating such a body. Furthermore, committee
members expressed a desire to cultivate the current participants and ensure that they have been
given the opportunity to play a special role and maintain a consistent presence. A constituent
assembly will also allow the steering committee to create a group that is appropriately
representative of the entire community, further ensuring that there won’t be a group that complains
of not having a voice as the process moves toward an implementation stage.
Having decided that it was important to develop a constituent assembly, renamed the “Core
Participants,” the committee then asked the question, “how and when should this group be
formed?” Initially, the idea of inviting core participants to a special meeting prior to the fall event
was discussed. The committee agreed that time constraints would make this exceptionally
difficult, and decided that the core participants group would emerge from the fall event, and
representation gaps would be filled in after the fall event.
Next steps
There was no time for substantive discussion under this agenda item. The next step is a Steering
Committee on Friday August 20 to focus on key events between now and the end of October, and
the content of the fall meeting.