Study Report Luncheon Set for June 19
Contact: Mary Campbell
Are you curious about communication among citizens and government and how it can be improved to help ensure that regional and community challenges are identified, understood and addressed?
Community Council’s 2012-13 Study Committee has spent 27 weeks delving into the topic and will share what they learned and their ideas for improvement at the June 19 Study Report Luncheon.
The event will be noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Walla Walla Elks Lodge, 351 E. Rose Street. Graze will cater the event. Tickets are $25 and are available by calling Community Council’s office, 509-529-0119, by Friday, June 14.
Chairman Douglas Carlsen will discuss eight recommendations that will be forwarded to the community for implementation. A full report will also be available in print and electronically.
During the study, private citizens and public servants discussed policies, procedures, barriers to communication and effective practices. Forty-one speakers represented states, counties, municipalities, ports, schools, special districts, media, community and business organizations, a statewide “think tank” and private citizens. Three presentations showcased effective citizen-government collaborations. At one session, held “town hall” style, community members shared their experiences communicating with agencies and offered their ideas for improvement.
The committee spent seven weeks analyzing what was heard and formulating ideas to enhance exchanges of information. In the next two years, a Community Council advocacy team will take those ideas into the community for implementation.
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Community Council has been a catalyst for community improvement since 2008. Its study process is an effective tool for enhancing the region’s quality of life. Previous study topics have included “Enhancing the Educational Attainment of Our Region’s Children,” “Optimizing Resources: Value-Added Agriculture,” and “Reducing Gang Membership through Prevention.” More information about those studies and implementation results can be found at wwcommunitycouncil.org.
For additional information, call Julie Reese, Community Council Executive Director, 509-540-6720.