EverBetterCommunity Three years ago over 250 Mariposans gathered at the Fairgrounds to discuss and strengthen some of the existing organizations and programs in our community. This month on Saturday, March 28th, locals are again invited to the Fairgrounds, but this time the focus is quite different. The organizers say this meeting is entirely focused on the future. The theme of the day will be, “What kind of future do we want for Mariposa, and how can we make that happen?”

The list of common concerns is long:  the economy, drought, jobs, deadlocked politics, our aging population, the next generation, crime, values and principles, and so on.  This meeting is about practical steps we can take right here to move the County forward in the directions we want.   

The structure of the day is very simple. In the first hour anyone with an idea for our future can announce their topic and select a time period later in the day for others to join in that discussion. Once all the ideas have been voiced and scheduled, a series of “breakout sessions” begins. Participants select the sessions with the topics they are most interested in. The breakout sessions may include sharing of information and creative ideas, listening, expressing questions and concerns, and offering suggestions for follow-up regarding how we might best move forward.

Holly Baldwin, one of the organizers, explains that all ideas are welcome. “I personally would like to assist in improving our community network of outreach, support, and education for seniors and their families. I can’t make that happen by myself, but I’m confident that when I announce the idea at the conference, I’ll find others who can help.”  She then adds with a smile, “In fact, I hope anyone who has an interest in this topic - or has any other ideas how to improve our mutual future - will join with us.” A number of sample initiatives already appear on the meeting’s website: EverBetterCommunity.org.

A central idea behind the conference is that it takes many different kinds of contributions to make a project happen. Some people may have an initial inspiration, others may see how that might be adjusted to meet our local needs, others may know someone doing something similar.  Someone else might have the necessary training or equipment, or offer to make phone calls, or hold the next discussion group in their home.  The organizers hope that all these types of people find one another on March 28th.

Tickets are available at Chocolate Soup, the Tourist Information Bureau, and at the door. The cost, which covers a delicious lunch, is $10 and $5 for students.  Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, March 28, 2015.  The event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.