North residents take part in 32-county conversations
Share with others:
Get used to hearing the word "visioning" because it has become the way to plan for the revitalization of entire regions.
Other states and countries have employed regional visioning to address issues such as urban sprawl and workforce development. Now Western Pennsylvania has embraced the technique through an initiative involving 32 counties in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia.
Called Power of 32, the effort is a three-phase process intended to incorporate the wants and needs of the people in those counties into a workable plan for the future.
The organization was founded by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, the Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Development Partnership and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission. It is funded by local foundations to the tune of $1.5 million.
According to Power of 32, those who live in the 32 counties that contribute to the headwaters of the Ohio River are more than just neighbors -- they have more in common than they may think.
The first phase of the process has consisted of community conversations held throughout the summer and early autumn in all 32 counties. The talks in the North Hills area were held Sept. 21 and 22.
In her role as executive director of North Hills Community Outreach, Fay Morgan said she knows what it takes to effect change in the community, even though she had never before heard of visioning.
So, when contacted by The Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership about the possibility of hosting a community conversation at the agency's satellite office in McCandless, Ms. Morgan jumped onboard.
"They wanted to make sure that nonprofit constituencies had a voice in the process," she said. "I think they're trying to be as inclusive as they can because it's up to who comes out and puts in an effort."
At the community outreach, about 20 people gathered at four tables to write their thoughts.
Volunteer facilitator David Seals, program manager of the Pittsburgh Arts Council, led the groups in coming up with ideas and visions of the future that eventually will influence policy makers in Harrisburg.
First Published October 14, 2010 12:00 am
