What We Have Accomplished-to-Date
As you know, over 50 public sessions were conducted throughout Staten Island between December 2008 and February 2009. During these Idea Gathering Sessions, trained facilitators worked with over 900 participants to brainstorm ideas for the future of our borough. The nearly 3,000 ideas we received represented the foundation of Staten Island's Vision Report.
The ideas were then categorized into 20 different topics for review by the Steering Committee (later reduced to the current 14 topics). Many of you then assisted in the identification of major themes and the drafting of broadly stated vision statements for each topic.
Between April and May 2009, each topic was discussed at a second round of public meetings (Reality Check Workshops) involving steering committee members and topical experts. Critical questions and concerns regarding implementation strategies for each topic were identified.
During the fall and winter months of 2009, we concentrated on our fundraising efforts in order to conduct the Topical Work Group phase of our project. The Topical Work Groups were conducted during the first half of 2010 and involved industry or topical experts for each category. Each Work Group session was conducted by trained facilitators together with members of the Vision Board.
The Work Groups refined the goal statement for the topic, identified priority projects and programs, and outlined strategic action plans that describe how the priority projects can be achieved.
For example, the Work Group session on Health Care involved highly respected leadership from our health care community. Our experts included the CEOs of both hospitals on Staten Island, SIUH & RUMC, as well as individuals in clinical/medical leadership positions and executives from health related services. During this session, the ideas gathered at the public sessions were evaluated and tactical steps for implementation were identified.
The topics covered during other Work Group sessions included: Education; Diversity and Community Cooperation; Youth; Planning, Preservation and Housing; Social Services and Aging; Government Services; Environment; Arts and Culture; and Parks and Recreation.
In some cases, such as Transportation; Waterfront; and Marketing and Economic Development, we are reporting the public responses we collected while drawing on the expertise found in many excellent recent studies that have been conducted on these topics. Remember, the objective of the Vision Project has been to provide an all-inclusive review of, and strategies for addressing, issues facing our borough. The use of previously conducted studies and recommendations is both relevant and cost-effective.