Thanks for the feedback! Addressing several replies together…
On Apr 28, 2026, at 12:18 PM, Arch Willingham <a.willingham@tuparks.com> wrote:
I think y’all need to keep pushing the concept of “The next version of Chattanooga will be crafted by you!”.
I LOVE that, Arch! But… what is the means for that? See my response to Jack, below, for more on this. (Spoiler alert: reviving the Facilitator Bank, using a dedicated, local, public online platform.)
On Apr 28, 2026, at 12:42 PM, Audrey Ramsey <aramsey3@gmail.com> wrote:
I think CNE is a well kept secret. More PR is needed for CNE especially during these tough economic times and the housing crisis we face today.
I hoped the topic would draw in more people for this very purpose! CNE definitely is not as well known as it should be. It is such an amazing, effective organization. Maybe it's because they have been rather focused. Maybe it’s because we simply don’t have good community media. Bigger picture, I would personally love to see the Study Group evolve into a network for sharing information about resources like CNE but I really think we need to LISTEN first and foremost, not tell. Once people have told us about their goals, issues, needs, after we have listened to and shared their concerns and ideas, then we can tell them about resources.
On Apr 28, 2026, at 11:48 AM, Tricia King Mims <tricia@nppcha.org> wrote:
I think the cost is a deterrent as a few people have told me they would have come to my talk with Sally and Eleanor had it been free.
There is a no-cost registration option for our public events — registrants simply have to put “0” in the amount field for “Attendee” ticket — and we welcome folks who have not registered (and don’t ask them to pay an attendance fee, although that’s likely to change in the future to cover our costs).
On Apr 28, 2026, at 11:05 AM, Jack Zibluk <jackzibluk@gmail.com> wrote:
My overvalued 2 cents is that Ventures at this point is made up of non-profits and community groups and individuals with great ideas and valid concerns, but 1) an "action plan" or similar framework of translating concerns into actions hasn't come together and 2) there doesn't seem to be a lot of buy-in from the political community, River City Co., the chamber of commerce or other folks whose support would be necessary to put concerns into action.
The plan (program) for 2026 is to (1) establish an online platform, (2) hold regular meetings, and (3) host topical dialogue sessions. We are working on all of those and welcome any help. Remember that the Study Group is an informal group, Jack. It has no real structure or capacity. I have done most of the leg work, supported Eleanor, Kate, Philip, a few folks who have helped engage stakeholders like those you mention in 2, and, of course, our speakers and dialogue participants. The Study Group's purpose has always been to learn about how to do community engagement, not to actually engage people and document/share their concerns. We simply do not have capacity for that. That said, there seems to be strong interest in "hearing the voice of the community." That is why I’m reviving the Facilitator Bank. It will have formal expectations of participants and will be more structured. The Study Group can advise, guide, and support facilitators. If you have other thoughts on how to do this, I’m all ears! What do you think we should ask for/expect as buy-in from stakeholders? Representatives of the groups you mention have attended Study Group events and meetings. River City Co is co-producing/hosting our next dialogue. I’m sure others would participate if invited but, again, we have limited capacity that. I’m doing what I can, roughly following Venture’s timeline. We have gotten a lot of encouragement but I have not seen any interest in funding this work or supporting in any substantive way. — GL