Invitation: Have YOUR say in Michigan's future

Michigan needs a common ground agenda for the future. An agenda to keep our friends, neighbors, co-workers and brightest young people here at home. An agenda that lays the foundation for a solid economic future. An agenda that sets aside partisanship and brings people together.

Michigan needs YOU to help shape that common ground agenda.

We’re writing asking you to join hundreds of other people organizations across Michigan who are hosting two-hour “Community Conversations” for the Michigan’s Defining Moment Public Engagement Campaign (MDM).

MDM is a statewide, nonpartisan, nonprofit effort to reinvigorate citizenship, get people talking about Michigan’s challenges and opportunities, and develop a common ground agenda to help guide the decisions of state and local leaders. MDM’s first report, after 180 meetings involving 1,800 diverse participants from across the state, is here. This report was a major theme of the 2008 state House elections and kept candidates of both parties focused on three big-picture needs: 1) A talented, globally competitive workforce; 2) A vibrant economy and great quality of life; and 3) Effective, efficient, and accountable government.

Now, citizen voices are even more important as Michigan braces for deepening state and national economic challenges. In 2010, all of Michigan’s the top elected positions and many of the seats in the Legislature will change hands due to term limits. MDM doesn’t seek to elect candidates of any particular party. Instead, we work to heighten citizen dialogue and build a pragmatic, solutions-oriented agenda for the state’s future – with action items that can be taken up by Democrats and Republicans alike.

We do this through proven dialogue techniques that allow thousands of people in different locations across the state to join in a singular conversation over several months. In our Community Conversations, participants use interactive polling devices to vote on issues and discuss economic, education and good government strategies. They also share examples of best practices in their own communities. Participants walk away with a citizen toolkit, a sense of connectedness, and amplified voices. “It is the kind of gathering that restores your faith in humankind to solve our common problems,” former Michigan Teacher of the Year Nancy Flanagan said after participating.

Community Conversations are a great way to infuse issues-oriented discussions into your organization’s regularly scheduled programming, including your large annual meetings. Best of all, our staff does the work – for free! All you need to do is fill the room with between 15 and 100 participants.

To schedule a Community Conversation or get more details, please contact any one of our three outreach coordinators…

SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN — Kim Johnson, kjohnson@thecenterformichigan.net, 248-321-8635.
CENTRAL/OUTSTATE — Nancy Short, nshort@thecenterformichigan.net, 202-390-5766.
WEST MICHIGAN — Annette Guilfoyle, aguilfoyle@thecenterformichigan.net, 616-460-6455

Spend a little time on the future of your state. Spread a solutions-oriented dialogue about Michigan. Have your say. Help set a citizens agenda for Michigan’s future. Join us!