The major topic for the next regular meeting — and for the group going forward — is how to apply what we have learned about Venture. How? There is not funding or other resources for a formal organization to gather and share input let alone a long-term process.  

That does not mean it can’t be done. It just must be done in an informal, small-scale manner. We are going to crowdsource community engagement using Venture’s approach.

Crazy? Not really. Venture provided a DIY kit for this very purpose. We can make it even easier by putting the kit online, translating “supplies" into a set of simple software tools. 

We will talk through this on Tuesday, starting with Venture itself as background, then focusing on the DIY kit. I’ve included major elements of both Venture and the DIY kit in the agenda for reference. 

  1. Key elements from Venture (see the original Venture proposal):
    • Purpose: “to link the region’s distinct constituencies (neighborhood, business, Labor, government, civic, ethnic, rural, urban) in a community-wide decision-making process to test, analyze, and recommend policy which will lead to substantive public and private action”
      • "identify specific issues and policy alternatives and recommend choices for the future which will move Chattanooga in the direction its citizens want to go; 
      • "to inform and educate citizens regarding alternatives; 
      • "to inspire confidence; 
      • "and to provide a vehicle for community leadership and direction."
    • Providing "an agenda of general issues for consideration and analysis”
    • Leading to a "commitment portfolio” (with Venture as “trustee”)
      • Implementation 
      • Diplomacy
    • Organized as a large board, small coordinating council, and committees
  2. DIY kit (see VISIONS 86 Do It Yourself Kit)
    • Purpose: "to involve their citizens in dealing with tough issues, setting visionary goals, and then pulling together to build a better community.”
    • The basics:
      1. SPACE
      2. SUPPLIES
      3. STRUCTURE
        1. General session
        2. Discussion groups
        3. Summary session
      4. SOJOURNERS
        1. Moderators
        2. Facilitators
        3. Participants
      5. Issues
        1. PEOPLE
        2. PLACES
        3. WORK
        4. PLAY
        5. GOVERNMENT
        6. FUTURE ALTERNATIVES
    • Most important point: “When I said something, someone wrote it down.”
      1. Every participant gets to speak.
      2. When a participant speaks, someone writes it down.
  3. Applying the DIY kit as “community confabs” 
    • Hear from the region’s distinct constituencies 
    • Community-wide goal-setting, priorities for substantive public and private action
    • Identify prospective task force members

Probably the key topic to discuss is “space.” I think the study group basically serves as the “board.” Should we have a “coordinating council” or just consider the “usual suspects” a virtual coordinating council (organizations with which we coordinate)?

Let me know of other topics you might want to cover.

CVSG Regular Meeting, June 2, 2026 at 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, EDT
Location: 
In-person - Chattanooga Small Business Resource Center, 332 E M L King Blvd

—
Greg Laudeman, Ed.D.
Executive Officer and Principal
Eduity, LLC
www.eduity.net
greg@eduity.net
706-271-5521