Harrison wrote: "Chris -- I suggest being a littlecareful here. If it was true that all the issues were posted by the Planning Committee members (could have happened) there is no issue. But since that was probably not the case (never has been , in my experience) you are running the distinct possibility that the actual conveners will feel disempowered. That would be a major loss. If there is still time, I would suggest that (at the very least you invite all the conveners of the several issues to join the committee. That is where your energy is -- with the conveners. Use it!"
Wise counsel as always. I've thought about this a fair amount and decided on the above quoted process for these reasons: 1. There's a lot happening in the community already as a result of the Open Space and frankly, I'm a little reluctant to bring the convenors into a meeting of government people who will be trying to figure out how to geth their ministries involved in the activity. I'm sure that would kill the intitiave out there. In fact, one of the big challenges I outlined to the group before holding the event was the communication challenge posed by the divergence. They were warned, and gave it some thought, and they're exploring ways of keeping track of what's happening as well as finding ways to support the community. 2. This exercise is primarily for the government folks to develop some persoanl committment around the issues the community elucidated. They have a deep well to drink from (45 sessions and a lot of concrete action) and my intention is to set them loose on the work and figure out what role they can play to be supportive. 3. I think it is too late to involve the convenors at the planning meeting, but, there is talk of a follow up, so hopefully we can harness the energy there. 4. This process was so liberating for most people that I actually think that it will be hard to disempower the ones that took action. A lot of people are looking to the planning committee to define how the government will support these initiatives, and the planning committee is eager to get on with the work, so seeing the twin pillars of passion and responsibility at work here, I thought I might try it the way I described it. I'm hip to hearing further thoughts on this. Thanks for the intial advice. Chris -- CHRIS CORRIGAN 108-1035 Pacific Street Vancouver BC V6E 4G7 Phone: 604.683.3080 Fax: 604.683-3036
