Allen 2020 Commission

Questions about project cost:

Who is paying for this project?
Allen 2020 is a citizen project. It is funded by Common Threads, a local 501 (c) 3 organization, other private organizations, and citizens. No public funds will be used.

How much will it cost?
Expenses will depend on the extent and nature of task force activities. Allen 2020 is funded by Common Threads, a local 501 (c) 3 organization, other private organizations and citizens. We will not use public funds.

Questions about how the project will work:

How long will this project take?
We expect that task force meetings will begin this fall (2005). The first progress reports will be shared with elected officials by late spring 2006. This will be a “work-in-process” and could remain active for some years.

Will task force and other project meetings be open?
Yes. All meetings will be open.

How can business owners, institutions, corporations, and other Allen County groups get involved?
This is a citizen project so elected officials and other community organizations do not have a role. However, their members or employees, as citizens of Allen County, are welcome to participate.

Who will the Task Force Teams Report to?
The Allen 2020 Commission.

Who will be on the Allen 2020 Commission?
The Allen 2020 Commission will be made up of representatives from each of the Task Force Teams. Generally, we expect the co-chairs of the teams to be the representatives.

How will the members of each Task Force Team know how to function effectively?

The process will begin with training sessions by Mr. Don Lacy of Ohio State University on the concepts of the process and how to identify or create visions for the improvement of community life.
There will also be training sessions on the art of facilitation and creative dialogue participation by a trainer who will be provided by Allen County Common Threads.

How much time will be required for Task Force members?
It will depend on the specific team. We anticipate the teams will meet at least once a month for an hour or two.

How will the visions be developed?

Each vision will be created in four steps
Step 1 – Select a vision: An individual or the team will suggest an idea of how a selected activity or function might work better in the future with broader or different participation.
Step 2 – Define the vision: Through dialogue, the team will create a description of how the vision might work, who would be involved, the steps necessary to make it happen and how it would improve the quality of life in Allen County.
Step 3 – Share the vision : The team will consult those who they think would be involved in making the vision a reality to determine its feasibility. The team will seek input from at least a sample of those who might be affected to insure there would be broad support for the vision. Methods for doing this will be determined by the team.
Step 4 – Suggest the vision : After the team decides a vision should be considered for adoption, a representative of the team will present the vision along with a brief vision recommendation to the Allen 2020 Commission. Upon acceptance by The Allen 2020 Commission, the vision will be included in the Consolidated 2020 Vision for Allen County.

How will the progress of the task force teams be communicated?

Each team will have a bulletin board on the Allen 2020 Commission web site.
After a vision has been created, defined and deemed feasible, the team will submit it for posting on its bulletin board.
The team will update the progress of each vision as it moves through the four steps.
Interested parties will be able to monitor the progress.

Questions about project credibility:

Who appointed you (Action Team representative) to this project?
No one. Members of Allen 2020 Action Team and Allen County Common Threads are citizen volunteers who believe in a better future for our county through dialog and collaboration.

Has any elected group sanctioned this project?
No. Even if such endorsement were offered, we would not accept the “blessing” of any governmental body. What we do is ask that every elected legislative official in the county affirm that this citizen project is a worthy endeavor by nominating persons to work on Allen 2020 task forces.

What happens to the project when different people are elected to office?
Nothing. Because Allen 2020 is citizen-driven, changes in elected leadership will not change the results of this project. We will inform new officeholders of our activities through progress reports. Additionally, we expect the media to cover Allen 2020 meetings.

How is this project different from (or better than) all the other studies that have been done in Allen County?
The biggest difference is that Allen 2020 is citizen organized and citizen-led. Its results will be citizen recommendations to elected decision-makers. We will, however, learn from many of the previous studies done in Allen County.

Is this project really worth all the time and effort?
Everything worthwhile requires time and effort. Allen County’s future deserves our investment of time, talent and energy.

Why are you (Action Team Member) personally involved in this project?
I’m involved, like all of the other Allen 2020 members, because I am proud of our Allen County community and I want to be part of making it better.

Questions about the nomination process:

Who are you asking to nominate persons for the task forces?
We are asking every elected legislative official throughout Allen County to make nominations.

Will you take all the names we submit?
Basically, we want all areas of Allen County to be represented on each task force if at all possible. If we get a lot of names for one task force from the same part of the county, we may ask some to participate in another task force or they might not all be appointed. However, every citizen is welcome to attend Allen 2020 meetings.

What if we (governing officials) don’t give you any names?
We’ll have to come back to ask again. We want to make sure that all areas of Allen County are represented on each task force. Thanks very much for your help in this effort to be representative.

Does a person have to be nominated by a governing official in order to be involved?
No. Interested citizens of Allen County may volunteer for an appointment by filling out an application and sending it to The Lima Allen County Chamber of Commerce. See the form available on this web site or contact the chamber office at 419-222-6045. Appointments will be made from those who volunteer with priority given to those who offer a broad diversity of representation.

Can elected officials be part of a task force?

Sorry, but not if the official is in a governing position. Everyone may attend Allen 2020 meetings, but we have designed the project to be a citizen effort. Its recommendations will be shared with elected decision-makers.
Here is the reasoning. Governing officials are burdened with day to day problem solving issues and political considerations. The citizens on these teams should be free to develop bold new visions for the future of Allen County without day to day problem issues or political considerations.

Will the people on each task force be representative of the entire county?
That is our goal. We want every task force to be representative of the entire county. While we cannot promise exact numbers, we will make every effort to achieve balanced representation.

Who selects task force chairpersons?
Task force members will select chairperson(s) from their task force.

Questions about the results of this project:

What difference will this project make in my township, village, city or neighborhood?
We can’t predict what specific differences may result from Allen 2020. However, we are confidant that real dialog about the future of our Allen County community will happen during this project. And we expect that important results will be achieved.

Is this just a way to promote metropolitan government?
No. We have placed no limits on the scope or direction of task force activities within their area (e.g., land use, housing/neighborhoods, human services, public safety, etc.). And there is no agenda (hidden or otherwise) in Allen 2020. We have no planned result or outcome.

What happens if the Allen 2020 Commission visions are not accepted?
That question can only be answered in the future. If the Allen 2020 Commission visions are sound, have broad public support and will improve the Allen County community, we expect them to be given serious consideration and, in many cases, accepted.