Tuesday, December 16, 2014

December 18: Engaging Citizens in Local Government, Shaping Stevens Point

6 PM at Kristin's Riverwalk (1140 Clark St., Stevens Point)

Elected local government officials often receive input from citizens. At times local decision-makers might struggle to find the patience to hear what citizens have to say; and other times they might actively seek constructive input from many citizens. Now through at least January is certainly a time when citizens of Stevens Point are called to get involved in the current comprehensive planning effort and provide input that may help to shape their neighborhoods and the City of Stevens Point.

At this special learning hour, a discussion about citizen engagement in Stevens Point will be led by Kyle Kearns, Economic Development Specialist and Associate Planner for the City of Stevens Point. Kyle will describe Stevens Point’s progression from historic efforts to accommodate citizen attendance in local government proceedings to the latest efforts going on right now to actively seek input from citizens and engage people in a friendly manner.

Prominent among the City’s current proactive efforts are eleven neighborhood meetings designed to encourage citizens to provide input for the comprehensive planning update that is now underway. Beyond these neighborhood meetings, the overall public participation process for this comprehensive planning effort includes public hearings, information and questionnaire on the City’s website, open house meetings, committee meetings, television, media and press releases, presentation to professional and civic groups, and one-on-one meetings with government and public service officials.

More than a thoughtful discussion of best practice for open and responsive decision-making in local government, this learning hour is a chance for you to learn directly from Kyle a little more about the immediate opportunities for people to get engaged right now in a meaningful way to help shape the future of Stevens Point.

Important note: The upcoming neighborhood meetings are set for the evenings of December 17th, January 8th, and January 26th in various locations (details here). It is at these neighborhood meetings and other communication channels convened by the city government that your ideas will be heard.

Monday, August 25, 2014

September 12: Bike-Share Systems to Get From Point to Point

The essence of bike-share is simple: anyone can pick up a bike in one place and return it to another. Bike-share programs have been emerging and growing rapidly throughout the world in recent years, and more than 600 cities now have their own bike-share systems, (source: Bike-Share Planning Guide, ITDP, 2013).

Bike-share systems may offer different locations to pick-up and to return a bike. This introduces a flexible transportation option for local trips. For example, you can drive to work and bike to lunch on the same day. Not having to return the bike to its original location may simplify travel and increase independence in many cases where you might otherwise need to ask for a ride. You can fluidly diverge and connect with people, leave one vehicle here, and make use of transit or carpooling opportunities to get there - all without the worry of being stuck somewhere without access to a vehicle. A bike-share system can be as useful to tourists and visitors as it is to local residents.

Jean Rosekrans and Carol Davis will share their experiences working to develop the River Riders Bike Share program that is forming in Wisconsin Rapids this year with a broad base of community support and partners. We'll also talk about other new developments and opportunities in this region, as well as characteristics of different bike-share systems and how they work.



Wednesday, August 13, 2014

August 22: Co-Housing - What is it and how does it benefit a community?

Co-housing is a form of intentional community that was imported to the U.S. from Denmark in the late 80s. Co-housing provides the privacy to which we are accustomed and the community we seek. Co-housing typically (1) includes a common house for community activities and shared meals, (2) is pedestrian friendly, (3) is designed, managed and maintained by residents, (4) is governed by residents using a refined consensus decision making process, and (5) is much, much more. Participants will learn what co-housing is and may want to become a part of initial efforts to create a co-housing community in Stevens Point.

Mary Maller and Lois Lawler will lead this informal and informative discussion on co-housing. They have visited and researched several existing co-housing units around the U.S.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

May 2nd: Post-Summit Happy Hour With Wisconsin Rural Partners President Dennis Deery

"To build networks, leadership and voice for rural Wisconsin." This is the mission of Wisconsin Rural Partners who is hosting its annual Rural Summit in Stevens Point during the day on Friday May 2nd.  As for later that evening, this Point and a Pint happy hour warmly welcomes any enduring summit goers, passersby, and anyone and everyone here hoping to ring in the weekend with some learning and enjoyable conversation.  Special invited guest is Dennis Deery, founder of Irish Rose Consulting and current President of Wisconsin Rural Partners - who ought to be exhausted after a full day of summiting.  Dennis is at liberty to reflect on the summit, expound upon this year's theme of "Generations: Responding to Our Future", share some of his insights regarding the age of social media, or mention other experiences and insights for a short time before unleashing participants to discuss and socialize.

Friday May 2nd, 6:00 p.m., at Kristin’s Riverwalk, 1140 Clark Street, Stevens Point

This event is the second in a series of Friday evening happy hours intended to promote learning, networking, and enjoyable conversation on topics related to community development. The event is free and open to the public; participants may purchase their own food and drinks at Kristin’s Riverwalk. People are encouraged to arrive early (between 5:30 and 6:00), settle in, and begin to order their food and drinks before the short talk begins.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

April 25: Sustainable Community Development with Torbjörn Lahti

Come to the kick off for “A Point and a Pint” happy hour series on April 25 at 6:00 p.m. at Kristin’s Riverwalk, 1140 Clark Street, Stevens Point. Torbjörn Lahti will spark ideas and conversations among participants of this happy hour by giving a short talk, drawing upon experiences that have made him a world renowned leader in sustainable development. A planner and economist, Lahti is the founder of the Swedish eco-municipality movement and has worked with over 100 municipalities in providing eco-municipality education and assistance. He co-authored the award-winning book The Natural Step for Communities: How Cities & Towns Can Change to Sustainable Practices (New Society Publishers, 2004), and presently co-directs the Institute for Ecomunicipality Education & Assistance.

Don't miss this exciting opportunity to connect with a world-renowned expert in the field!