By John Bebow - June 6, 2008
Last week's political speeches and networking buzz on the porch of the Grand Hotel is fading fast. Enduring takeaways...
It was sad to watch key legislators fight over a smoking ban in casinos while the state burns. Much better focus and problem-solving is critical, right now, Center President Phil Power writes.
Likewise, trite talk about film incentives and biofuel landfills also takes attention away from critical government reforms, writes Michigan's Defining Moment Public Engagement Campaign Co-Chair Doug Rothwell.
The Detroit Chamber wisely brought young professionals into the mix this year. But they did it in a paternalistic and somewhat patronizing way: a separate youth agenda on Saturday when many conference attendees were on their way home. Still, island carriages were filled with new faces and new voices. Like Ashley Aidenbaum, a recent University of Michigan grad who has every intention of staying right here in Michigan. Check out her recent blog at the Michigan Municipal League. A couple samples...
"I won't speak for my generation... Still, I do feel that my observations and perspective are consistent with a broader population of urban-inclined young adults who have failed to find convenience or quality of life in the suburban spaces in which they were raised."
"Ferndale is a real place that celebrates its diversity, and is known for welcoming a range of people with a range of lifestyles. My neighbors vary in age, stage of life, family style, and heritage. A friend recently remarked to me that most of Michigan is a wonderful place to live as a part of a traditional family household (parent or child), but a terrible place to live as a single twenty-something. Ferndale seems to work for people of all ages. As a young professional with an insatiable appetite for cerebral and sensory stimulation, I require diversity and specificity in my built, economic, and social environment. Ferndale delivers on this demand, and that’s why it works for me."
3 Comments
Mr. Power shouldn't be so sad; he should be shaking with deep sobs of depression since the behavior of the political and business leaders at the conference is predictable, just ask the Cheshire Cat, as Alice did when she wanted to know which way to go:
`Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?'
`That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,' said the Cat.
`I don't much care where--' said Alice.
`Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat.
`--so long as I get SOMEWHERE,' Alice added as an explanation.
All these "non leaders" simply have no conceptual ability to conjure up a destination with any meaning.
You might reflect and realize that their ability to think is the product of a system of education that requires only linear thinking (left brains only) and a heavily reinforced short term memory recall good for the thick of thin thinking, sound bytes and poltical statements full of empty rhetoric.
And they are not alone, see Jim Womack's latest column on destinations at http://www.lean.org.
the young professionals track of conferences was not patronizing in any way. this was the first time this was ever done and the YP attendees were excited to not only network with other attendees but also have the oppotunity to have their own forum. Saturday session was important to have because it gave YP attendees a chance to share there true opnions and feelings about where this state is headed.
Look for an extended and more integrated program next year, including a seperate program on Saturday.
I am very much interested in promoting more community involvement in mentoring children in a school based program such as Big Brothers Bib Sisters is sponsoring. I believe that getting more interested and capable citizens involved either through organizations such as BBBS, businesses,churches, or various clubs, is worth the effort. I am personaly committed to mentoring myself and plan to work with BBBS in the Fall. I am open to suggestions for getting the word out that more volunteers are needed if we are to prevent more children from falling through the cracks or dropping out of school. I would like to meet more people who have successfully built good mentoring programs and shar ideas. Mary Monaghan in Lansing, Mich.
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