Consortium for Sustainable Communities
Today I had the opportunity to attend the Sacramento Region Consortium that focused on the Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program. In short, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded the Sacramento Region $1.5 million to create a regional sustainability plan for the six-county Sacramento region. What I found most intriguing was that the consortium is a collaborative effort that can include anyone from the interested citizen to staff in local jurisdictions. As far as business development is concerned, any organization that includes feedback from top to bottom (i.e. executive to front line employee) is destined for success. It's a golden rule for effective communication and strategy implementation.
But back to the program. The initial meeting was designed to facilitate an understanding of the objectives, which includes the Transit Priority Area vision. Imagine a community with optimal housing and employment choices, walking access to transit systems, and walking/biking access. Now take the awarded grant, couple the goal with considerations for natural resources, and decide which cities will satisfy established criteria and obtain priority in the sustainable development. That's the task of the consortium.
I was impressed with the tone of the meeting, which didn't waste time with too many interruptions you would normally get with questions from the audience (questions that are often answered if you would just wait for the presentation to finish). As fast as we started the meeting, we had immediately identified how the group would prioritize certain elements that will be used in the screening process. Each member was given three cards indicating levels of importance ("very","somewhat","least") and the group commenced to raise cards on the following:
It was no surprise that the entire group voted that every item above should be considered "very" important. Anytime there's a "we-want-it-all" vibe, I'm cautious. Because at some point, one factor must outweigh the other, especially when a budget is involved. That's just my opinion. However, the goal is an exciting one. A goal that pulled me in as part of the Natural Resources group. Definitely a goal that more people in the region should be a part of. Which brings me to Green-Tern's point of interest.
Amongst the Natural Resources team were a couple of UC Davis students/graduates with varying interests in environmental studies. What I was impressed with was their initiative to be part of something as big as regional planning. Anyone interested in pursuing a career in green must follow this example and step out of the classroom into what will soon be your "real world." You can find many initiatives in any industry, but none more than the environmental industry. No matter how you package it, whether its for efficiency or Mother Earth, this is an industry that is driven by the need for change. That drive presents numerous opportunities for involvement and at the least, exposure to what you're capable of.
You already live in a community, why not be an active (or sustainable) part of it.
~Michael
But back to the program. The initial meeting was designed to facilitate an understanding of the objectives, which includes the Transit Priority Area vision. Imagine a community with optimal housing and employment choices, walking access to transit systems, and walking/biking access. Now take the awarded grant, couple the goal with considerations for natural resources, and decide which cities will satisfy established criteria and obtain priority in the sustainable development. That's the task of the consortium.
I was impressed with the tone of the meeting, which didn't waste time with too many interruptions you would normally get with questions from the audience (questions that are often answered if you would just wait for the presentation to finish). As fast as we started the meeting, we had immediately identified how the group would prioritize certain elements that will be used in the screening process. Each member was given three cards indicating levels of importance ("very","somewhat","least") and the group commenced to raise cards on the following:
- Transportation Choices
- Housing Choices
- Economic Development/Community Reinvestment
- Cost Effectiveness/Leveraging Resources
- Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Smart Growth
It was no surprise that the entire group voted that every item above should be considered "very" important. Anytime there's a "we-want-it-all" vibe, I'm cautious. Because at some point, one factor must outweigh the other, especially when a budget is involved. That's just my opinion. However, the goal is an exciting one. A goal that pulled me in as part of the Natural Resources group. Definitely a goal that more people in the region should be a part of. Which brings me to Green-Tern's point of interest.
Amongst the Natural Resources team were a couple of UC Davis students/graduates with varying interests in environmental studies. What I was impressed with was their initiative to be part of something as big as regional planning. Anyone interested in pursuing a career in green must follow this example and step out of the classroom into what will soon be your "real world." You can find many initiatives in any industry, but none more than the environmental industry. No matter how you package it, whether its for efficiency or Mother Earth, this is an industry that is driven by the need for change. That drive presents numerous opportunities for involvement and at the least, exposure to what you're capable of.
You already live in a community, why not be an active (or sustainable) part of it.
~Michael
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