The purpose of the Chattanooga Venturing Dialogues is to learn from the past in the present for the future. The primary goal is discuss solutions from yesterday, generally “The Chattanooga Way” and how they might be applied today. Another goal of the dialogues is to turn talk into action. How do we act on what was said? What can we do, what do we want others to do, and why? The general agenda for each will be something like:
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Where we came from
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What has been done
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Where we are now
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What we should do now to (a) determine where we want to go and/or (b) make progress and/or (c) track results
Potential topics, based on Venture, with those we have covered so far struck out are:
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Art: AVA, public art initiative
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Care: Childcare Task Force, Handicap Services, Spouse Abuse Shelter (Chattanooga Safe Space), Teenage Pregnancy Task Force
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Community process: Chattanooga News Bureau, Community Forums, Facilitators’ Bank, Neighborhood Network, Non-Profit Incubator, Reformation of City of Chattanooga government,
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Conservation: Moccasin Bend Task Force and Tennessee Aquarium
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Culture: The Bessie Smith Cultural Center, Miller Park Entertainment, and Night Fall
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Environment: Chattanooga Creek Clean-Up, Down-To-Earth Expo, Environmental Forums, Recycling Task Force
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Foodways: Community Gardens and Farmers Markets
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Housing: CNE, resident management for Public Housing
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Justice: Gangs Task Force, Human Rights and Human Relations Commission, Joint City/County Jail and home for male status offenders
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Land Use: Design Review Process, Design Studio, River City Company
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Learning: Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences, Creative Discovery Museum, Partners For Academic Excellence (PACE), Public Education Foundation (PEF):
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Quality of Place: Ross’s Landing Park And Plaza, Sign and Billboard Ordinance, Tennessee Riverwalk, Tivoli and Memorial Auditorium Renovation, Walnut Street Bridge, Warner Park and Zoo improvements
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Work: Labor/Management Relations