Project Proposal

Let’s Talk:
Community Voices in Action

Strengthening local leadership through transparent, solution-driven conversations.

Project Description

Let’s Talk is a facilitated dialogue initiative to connect community concerns with local leadership and expert knowledge. At a time of instability, employment shifts, and an impending need for public services, trustworthy leadership, and clear communication are essential. This initiative brings together community members, government officials, and service organizations to ensure that public concerns are addressed honestly and people have the information they need to navigate change.

Goals & Impact

Goals:

Strengthen local leadership by creating a structured space for open, solution-driven conversations between community members and decision-makers.
Provide clear, fact-based information to address concerns, reduce uncertainty, and foster trust in local government and service organizations.
Empower leaders with direct community insights, ensuring that policies and services reflect real needs.
Facilitate meaningful collaboration between local government, nonprofits, and the public to create actionable solutions rather than just discussions.
Increase civic engagement, helping residents feel heard, informed, and more connected to local decision-making.

Impact:

Stronger, more responsive leadership: Local leaders gain firsthand knowledge of public concerns and can adjust their approaches accordingly.
A more informed and engaged community: Residents get direct access to leadership, reducing misinformation and uncertainty.
Greater trust in local institutions: Open, transparent dialogue builds confidence in local government and organizations.
Long-term resilience: Let’s Talk lays the groundwork for future crisis response and policy development by fostering collaboration and communication.

Role of Partner Organizations

Partner organizations play a critical role in shaping and supporting this initiative by:

Inviting representative community members to participate in initial listening sessions.
Selecting the top themes and concerns to be addressed through expert panel discussions.
Providing subject matter experts for the panels ensures informed and solutions-focused discussions.
Ensuring honest discussions regarding community needs and the capacity of local government and community organizations, keeping topics within actionable scope.

By working through established organizations and leadership networks, Let’s Talk Local creates a direct connection between community leaders and community members.

Project Structure & Phases

Community Listening Sessions (Phase 1)
- Identify key concerns by first engaging representative community members referred by local government, departments, and service organizations.
- Conduct three structured listening sessions to gather insight into the most pressing issues. (These will be virtual to ensure accessibility.)
- Organize feedback into thematic categories to refine discussion topics.
Expert Panel Sessions (Phase 2)
- Based on themes identified in Phase 1, organize three hybrid panel discussions with subject matter experts.
- These in-person panels (with virtual access for the public) will address specific issues, providing factual insights, resources, and guidance.
Community Impact & Action (Ongoing)
- Create a concise summary of key takeaways from panel discussions.
- Ensure that actionable insights are made available to the public and relevant organizations.

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Project Proposal

Let’s Talk:Community Voices in Action