Our first dialogue will be about how and why to engage community members with former Chattanooga mayor Ron Littlefield. Ron was an accomplished planner in 1983 when he recommended citizen engagement as an approach to planning for our community (read his “Plan 2000” memo from 1983 by clicking here). He was also the first executive director of Chattanooga Venture and has deep knowledge of how Venture worked. Kevin Riog, Mayor Tim Kelly’s Chief of Staff, David Littlejohn with Humanaut and the National Park City initiative, and Jill Weitz with All in Chattanooga, will join in the dialog, along with Karen Rennich, Director of the Regional Planning Agency, and Darrin Ledford, Mayor Kelly’s Deputy Chief of Staff… and all/any attendees! 

This event will take place on Monday, February 23rd, at 5:00 PM. All of our dialogue sessions will occur on the fourth Monday of the month at the Granfalloon, 400 East Main St. Doors open for dinner and networking at 5:00 PM, program starts at 5:30 and raps up around 7:00. Register to attend via https://luma.com/cz0hwuhv.  Get more information about this and other dialogue sessions at https://luma.com/ChattanoogaVenturing.

Our March dialogue will focus on Moccasin Bend, the Tennessee River, and environmental conservation with Sally Robinson. Sally was a founding member of the Moccasin Bend Task Force, the precursor the Venture, and a city council member. But that is just a hint of her impact on our community. She has deep knowledge of how Venture created major improvements, including the Tennessee Aquarium and Riverwalk. The Aquarium’s Marketing and Communications Director, Thom Benson, and Tricia King Mims, Executive Director of National Part Partners will also participate in the dialogue. 

Our third dialogue in April will focus on housing and will be co-produced by Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise. 

All of the dialogues will be highly participatory. Attendees will have the opportunity to directly engage, question, and share insights with participants. We will capture the results, post them online, and use them to shape future dialogues and other Study Group activities.

We are seeking financial support for our program. While there is no cost to participate, there are options to help us cover costs and support future sessions. We humbly request you contribute what you think the experience is worth. We are also thinking about launching a GoFundMe. If you might be willing to help or sponsor the Study Group’s activities, please reach out!