Archway Executive Committee Considers Intentional Community Conversations Process

Since its February half-day retreat, the Archway Executive Committee has been discussing how best to begin to engage the community and our local officials on hot topic issues. Using the resources available through UGA, the idea to facilitate community conversations began to take hold.

Louise Hill, with the University of Georgia's Fanning Leadership Institute, visited with the Archway Executive Committee at the May meeting and shared her expertise on hosting intentional community conversations.

Ms. Hill set the stage by asking key questions of the group regarding “What needed to be accomplished?,” “What would success look like?” and “Who should be involved?” She described the intentional community conversations as a magnification of “a friend telling a friend.” She provided a structured process for developing goals, identifying a coalition, preparing informational materials, piloting conversations, training facilitators, and recruiting participants. Mrs. Hill stated the process wasn’t about taking a vote or making a decision but rather to build trust and engage the community in difficult conversations.

 Ms. Hill’s presentation provided much food for thought for the committee members.  Discussion continues on how to best bring together local officials and the community to have a more cohesive and informed citizenry.