Tag: Allie Breyer Community Planning Workshop CPW

A Future Worth Planning For

Posted on by Julia Havens

Lake-County-Team-2015

Often times, it is easy as planners to become pessimistic. Sometimes it is easier to see the hurdles than it is to see what lies after them. The obstacles that stand in the way of a brighter future can be overwhelming.  When we initially started working on this Parks and Recreation Master Plan for Lake County (Community Planning Workshop Project), we encountered those obvious obstacles, but we also encountered roadblocks we were not necessarily expecting.

The obvious ones included community push back in terms of funding sources. People were very hesitant at community workshops to increase taxes. People were also skeptical about how the County could achieve the lofty goals set out in a Parks and Recreation Plan. Many people in Lake County also felt jaded by the government agencies and the lack of perceived coordination amongst the agencies.

We also encountered roadblocks that we did not expect. As none of us had worked on a Parks and Recreation Master Plan before, we faced internal challenges as to what type of deliverables we should give to the County. We faced a lot of uncertainty and constantly had new sets of questions and challenges.

However, this all proved to be a rewarding experience. From this project we learned how to harness those push backs and understand key issues in order to create a plan of goals that are realistic for the County. We hope our strategic plan, with its vision, goal areas, action ideas, and implementation ideas, provides a road map for how the County can develop in the future.

It can be easy to only see the overwhelming social, environmental, and economic problems facing communities when engaged in a planning project. With the odds stacked against us, it is easy to look bleakly at the future. However, it is also important to remember the good our plans can create and the reason why we plan is because we see a future worth planning for.

 

About the Authors: 

Rory Isbell CPW Community Planning Workshop Lake County Parks and Recreation Master PlanRory Isbell Rory Isbell is from Flagstaff, Arizona and is in his second  year at the University of Oregon pursuing degrees in law and community and regional planning.

 

 

 

Allie Breyer Community Planning Workshop CPW Lake County Parks and Recreation Master PlanAllie Breyer is a second year Master of Public Administration student with a focus in environmental policy and planning. She hails from the great state of Minnesota and moved to Oregon seeking education, experience, and adventure.

Ten Ways YOU Can Be Successful at Your Next Community Workshop

Posted on by Julia Havens

Allie Breyer Community Planning Workshop CPW Lake County Parks and Recreation Master Plan

Well, you’ve decided to host a community workshop. Whether you are doing a Parks and Recreation Master Plans (like us) with the Community Planning Workshop (CPW) or are just hosting one because you have to because you are mandated to by law, there will be some point in your professional career when you will need to get input for community projects!

You may be asking yourself, “But, Allie, can’t I just show up at a meeting with some snacks and flip charts and just wing it?” Or “Allie, do I really need tips to host a community workshop- what can go wrong?”

To answer your questions: No, you can’t just show up (Unless of course, you hate planning. In which case, maybe this isn’t your true calling). And, yes you need these tips because everything can go wrong. But never fear! You’ve come to the right place to plan your next beautifully planned and well-executed community workshop.

10. Get to know the community before you get there.

Maybe you’ve never been to your community before. Maybe you have no idea what to expect, what the people are like, or who the important stakeholders are in the community. The first thing you need to do is research! Look at Census data, talk to the client, and really just get a feel for what is happening in the community.

9. Get to know your community, but don’t make any assumptions or assume you know what is best for the community.

Leave your assumptions at the door and really just go there and listen to what people have to say.

8. Plan, plan, plan. When you think you’ve planned enough, you should probably plan a little bit more.

In the wise words of the sage Bob Parker, you get what you plan for. Do you want a great, insightful, full of community members and input, workshop? Well, have you planned for a great, insightful, full of community members and input workshop? Ask yourself what kind of things you are looking to get from a workshop that you couldn’t get from any ol’ random household survey. What kind of activities do you want? How many people do you want to be there? How will you set up groups and activities? Thinking through and planning for all these things will be your best friend when you get to step five…

7. After planning, then you prep!

You’ve planned the perfect workshop. Now you will need all those things to make it happen. Pens, paper, flipcharts, post-its, snacks plates, cups, etc. You need to get that all ready. You also need someone to plan who is going to do what and when. This will save you a headache in the future.

6. Realize that many of your plans may crumble, but that’s okay.

Well, you did all this planning. You thought through all the minute details, and you think you even planned for the person who shows up trying to throw your workshop off course. Yet, there will probably be things you could have never planned for. What if the person doesn’t show up to unlock the door? What if people don’t show up until two minutes before it is supposed to start? Remember to always be flexible even when things don’t go as planned.

5. FINALLY: Workshop time!

Finally, the Holy Grail of days has arrived. Keep in mind all of your plans and try not to freak out. There will be a lot going on and a lot of things to remember. But never fear, you planned tight so you can facilitate loose. Oh, and remember to take lots of notes and pictures of everything.

4. Remember you are there to facilitate. You aren’t there to make decisions; you are there to listen to comments, concerns, and community desires.

See: Step Two. You are there as a facilitator, not a community member. You are there for them, not your own point of view.

3. After the workshop is over, remember to genuinely thank the participants and make connections with them.

Now that you have a room full of new friends you should thank them for attending. Some people may want a follow up, so remember to note that too.

2. Look out to the horizon!

Whew, it is all over. You made it! Not so bad, huh? So now that you’ve thrown this amazing workshop, what will you do next? What are the next steps? How will you get there? You are an amazing planner, after all.

1. Last but not least, HAVE FUN!

Remember how much work you put into this? And how tired you and your team are? Well did you have fun? Truly, it is an inspiring experience to see community members feel interact and be engaged on a topic that is important to them.

 

Allie Breyer Community Planning Workshop CPW Lake County Parks and Recreation Master PlanAbout the Author: Allie Breyer is a second year Master of Public Administration student with a focus in environmental policy and planning. She hails from the great state of Minnesota and moved to Oregon seeking education, experience, and adventure. Allie is particularly interested in local government planning, and how government entities can plan for both vibrant communities and healthy natural resources. When she is not out trying to save the world, you can find Allie running, hiking, or spending time with her dog, Bear.