Ever Better Community II Conference: A Unique Opportunity for Planning Mariposa's Future
The Ever Better Community II Steering Committee wants to invite the entire Yosemite regional community, including Gateway Partners and neighboring communities, to attend the Ever Better Community II Conference on Saturday, March 28th, 2015 at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds, Bldg. A, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Your $10.00 donation helps to cover your lunch; tickets are available at the Mariposa Visitor Center, at Chocolate Soup, and at the door. You can find more details here: everbettercommunity.org.
The theme of the Conference is, “What kind of future do we want for Mariposa County, and what practical steps will take us there?”
The Conference is essentially a citizen-based planning effort for the town and County of Mariposa where the agenda will be set by those who attend, so that the agenda will reflect the concerns and ideas of the citizens of Mariposa County and others who are inspired to attend. However, those who are not residents, but who do come, will have equal say in the discussions and outcomes of this conference. The Steering Committee is planning for at least 300 people, and there will be room for up to 100 discussion topics. The outcomes of these discussions and their follow-up actions will be placed on the website and emailed to all registered participants who desire them.
The conference will utilize Open Space Technology (OST) to set the agenda and provide spaces for the various discussions, to create the means for recording citizen input, and to provide the “Next Steps” which will facilitate community follow-up. The OST guidelines include Four Principles a One Law:
1. Whoever comes is the right people.
2. Whatever happens is the only think that could have.
3. Whenever it starts is the right time.
4. When it’s over, it’s over.
The Law of Mobility: “If you find yourself where you are neither learning nor contributing, use your mobility and go to some more productive place.”
So please come with your own ideas; good food will be provided; and BE PREPARED TO BE SURPRISED!
Ken Boche, Steering Committee
