The Ongoing Story of Envision Athens

Where Passion and Pragmatism Meet

“We will strive unceasingly to quicken the public’s sense of civic duty. Thus, in all these ways, we will transmit this City not only, not less, but greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.”

— The Athenian Oath

AthensWhere You Belong

Envision AthensThe action we need  the change we want

Our Vision

We aspire to reach our full potential in unity, prosperity, equity, and compassion. The sense of 

togetherness motivates increased pride, unparalleled civic enterprise, and significant 

progress.

Philosophy…

Open and inclusiveIntuitive and informedCareful design and facilitationLead to implementationFunded by a public-private partnershipGuided by citizen Steering Committee

Institutional capacity meets grassroots energy

Steering Committee Formation

• Representatives of the community in the process

• Working group charged with key decisions and outreach

• Application process elicited dozens of candidates

• A 38-member team met ten times through the process and donated hundreds of hours to facilitation, discussion and work

The hands on the wheel

Engagement by the Numbers

Steering Committee Meeting #5Monday, April 10, 2017

Action Agenda

1,621 participants8,613 comments and ideas150 stakeholders103 proposed actions38 member Steering Committee

At a glance

3/22/2019 10IOC Planning RetreatThursday, June 7, 2018

Plan Organization

• 14 Topics• For the purpose of Comp Plan Integration

• 103 Actions• Projects, policies and programs• Tied to specific implementation information

(Timeframe, responsibility, funding, etc.)• Tagged with multiple Focus statements

Steering Committee Meeting #5Monday, April 10, 2017

Terms Defined

VISION 

Goal

Action Action

Goal

Action Action

Organizing the plan 

1. Vision: Broadest aspiration

2. Topic Areas: The fourteen categories containing key goals for implementation

3. Action: Projects,             policies or programs

Implementation and Onward“He is the best man who, when making his plans, fears and reflects on everything that can happen to him, but in the moment of action is bold."

~Herodotus

Develop and implement strategic plans to enhance coordinated delivery of public safety services.

Address poverty by targeting unemployment and underemployment by educating and training adults for successful careers within an ever‐changing workforce.

Measure economic impacts of arts, culture, and heritage tourism to inform Athens' economic development strategy.

Equip young people in Athens‐Clarke County with the skills needed to thrive as citizens and to succeed in career pathways that are sustainable, adaptable to changing workforce conditions, and that provide optimum economic mobility.

Steering Committee Meeting #5Monday, April 10, 2017

OUR PLAN OF WORK

Steering Committee Meeting #5Monday, April 10, 2017

OUR PROGRESS REPORT

Steering Committee Meeting #5Monday, April 10, 2017

THE ACTION WE NEED…

Arts & Culture Impact Report‐ December 2018Mental Health 101 Training: February 20, 2018

“Emergent: Launch and Learn”‐ February 21, 2018Career Academy Community Meal & Career Carnival‐ Spring 2019

Athens Wellbeing Project 2.0‐ Spring 2019MOB Directory: Relaunch‐ Spring 2019

Contractor’s Academy‐ Fall 2019New Collaboratives: Education, Safety, Health, Agriculture, Economic 

Development, Social Services

Steering Committee Meeting #5Monday, April 10, 2017

THE FUTURE…

“To go fast, go alone. To go far, go together.”~Lao Tze

It’s Our Future. Let’s Plan on It.