More than 40 residents met Tuesday night for a three-hour session that included developing visions for the town and identifying gaps between where the town is and where the town wants to be.
The Tuesday night session was the first of three planning sessions to help residents develop a vision and strategic plan for the town. The strategic plan and process is being facilitated by the Oklahoma Community Institute (OCI).
"We're here to help Roland grow in any way we can," Rogger Billingsley, the group's co-chair, told attendees.
Jodi Lewis, OCI executive director, said Roland is the 51st community that OCI has helped develop a strategic plan.
At the start of the session, Lewis issued ground rules for the group, including being creative, respecting others' views, and focusing on the future.
The group was divided into tables, with each table electing a table leader who facilitates the dialogue at each table. A recorder, timekeeper and reporter, or spokesperson for each table were then selected.
Lewis instructed the group to take time out for introductions and for each person at the tables to share what their expectations were for the process.
Each table then shared those expectations. Some of those expectations included growth, uniting around a vision for the future, improving Roland's image, expanding the city, and stimulating economic activity.
CREATING A VISION
Lewis then explained the planning model and the process for the strategic plan. The goals are to:
- Create a shared vision
- Analyze the situation
- Create goals
- Specify objectives
- Define action plans
- Implement plans
The first session focused on creating a shared vision and analyzing the town's situation. The vision is defined as a "clear and vivid image of what you want your community to look like based on the values it holds."
In creating a shared vision, Lewis asked each individual to write statements about what they want their community to be. She asked them to close their eyes and think of the Roland they see in 10 to 15 years. She then asked each table to list the top five phrases that they agreed best described the community they want to become.
All the ideas were posted and divided into the top six areas that were identified. Those top six ideas were:
- Planned Growth
- Activities and recreation
- Economic development
- Education
- Infrastructure
- Family Housing
Lewis encouraged the group to think about improving the community image when they are writing their vision statements.
The group then split into six tables to cover the top six ideas. Each table was then assigned to an idea and told to draft a vision statement for each of the six topic areas, or visions.
She told them to think about what they want to see and write it down like it's already happened, capturing the consensus.
For infrastructure, one table wrote, "We have strong, local leadership. Our city's infrastructure is high-tech with the best water and sewer system in eastern Oklahoma."
For economic development, a table wrote, "When travelers exit I-40 and onto the well-maintained and manicured four-lane highway, there are numerous motels, restaurants, and retail shopping lining the thoroughfare. Quality service roads provide safe and convenient access to the business district."
All six statements were shared with the entire group.
ANALYSIS
In the analysis process the group looked at data gathered by OCI from various sources, including the town of Roland and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. The data centered on a variety of topics that included the education system, taxes, social services, housing, and other issues.
Lewis advised them to look at the assets, strengths, problems and social networks in the community in order to provide a picture of the differences between the group's vision and the reality.
During the situational analysis, the group reviewed statistics and an overview of data and demographics for the county and Roland.
While the county and Roland are growing and continue to grow, poverty indicators, which listed the number of students eligible for free and reduced lunches, showed the county to be above the state by over 10 percentage points.
They group looked at Roland sales tax trends. Keith Wasson, town administrator, said the town had a 12 percent increase in sales tax revenue from 2007 to 2008. The group also discovered that the county is higher than the state and national averages for unemployment.
In education, the group learned that in Roland 72 percent of adults have a high school diploma while 13 percent have a bachelor's degree or higher.
After reviewing the data, Lewis asked each table to look at the vision statements and compare them to the research information presented. She urged them to identify the gap between the current vision and reality by looking at statistics.
The tables were then asked to write priorities on worksheet. The tables then agreed on the three most critical areas that need to be addressed by the community.
Some of the issues identified that need to be addressed include infrastructure, per capita income, education, code enforcement, sewer and water, telecommunications, recreation activities, parks and recreation, retail sales, the unemployment rate, number of residents with advanced education, low attendances to parent-teacher conferences, and the number of teachers with advanced degrees.
At the close of the meeting, Lewis gave the group homework assignments, asking them to read about goals and objectives in the planning manual, share information about the process with someone in the community, and invite someone new to attend the next session.
The next two planning sessions will begin at 5:30 p.m., with the planning beginning at 6 p.m., at the Roland High School cafeteria. All sessions will be complete by 9 p.m. at the latest. The second session will be held July 29, while the last session will be held Aug. 19.
