Malcolm J. Costa, Moderator

Workgroup Members:
Sharon Butler-McCray, Ruth Miller, Donna Pulling and Pam Williams

Vision: Effective governance requires optimum input from citizens at all levels; diversified economic circumstances; gender, cultural, religious, racial mix, reflecting the community.

GOAL: Empowerment of People in the Community

Strategies:

1. Design forums (e.g., town meetings) establishing direct citizen decision making (including electronic means of participating)

2. Solicit feedback from people involved

3. Set up support mechanism to staff process (technical assistance, continuity)

GOAL: Educate Children in citizen Participation as the Future

Strategies:

1. Build mechanism into educational system, starting early (preschool)

2. Create enthusiasm by teachers

3. Develop accountability standards

4. Create a desire for youth to become interested in citizen participation

5. Encourage school systems to formalize citizen participation in curriculum

6. Inculcate citizen participation into strategic planning of public schools

7. Conduct youth development programs

GOAL: Engage Citizens with Decision Makers

Strategies:

1. Reinforce identity and roles of key decision makers

2. Design ways to enhance feedback to those who participate

3. Increase citizen participation accountability for decision makers

GOAL: Involve the Business Community in Citizen Participation Programs

Strategies:

1. Organize business to participate in school/community programs (e.g., Youth Motivational Task Force, Les Weyler’s (The Limited, Inc.)