Who to involve
This is a key question to think about at the very start of your planning. Running this visioning process is a great opportunity to hear from a wide range of people in your community. In fact, you will discover new issues, priorities and perspectives which will add depth, richness and relevance to your vision if you have a great mix of people there.
It’s also a chance to start building relationships with organisations and groups of people you haven’t previously connected with. The process is designed to unearth different views and life experiences and to open up conversations around them, so be prepared to hear some new ideas about your community.
When thinking about who to involve, it can help to spend some time mapping who is active in your community. Transition Network has developed an exercise, called The Big List to help you do this From this you can create a list of people to invite.
Be sure to give people plenty of notice and clear information, both practically about the sessions and about what the process involves. Make it clear this is an invitation to help shape a shared vision, rather than an ask to support your particular group or projects. Ask if there is anything that might help people to participate or access requirements so that you can remove as many barriers to engaging as possible.