Luke Planning: January 1999 Newsletter and Historical Comments

January 7, 1999--Recent events at communities with Vision. Many of these are examples of communications in the Vision Collaborative Implementation Process including: city visits, newsletters, Town Hall meetings, weekly e-mails and speakers on major issues.

HARRISBURG, PA-- December 10, 1998-ENVISION CAPITAL REGION surpassed it's goal by signing up their 305th Vision Partner. Congratulations! They will be making a city visit to Richmond, VA on May 6-7, 1999.

MEMPHIS, TN--COMMUNICATIONS! MEMPHIS 2005 provides a weekly update to a 350 plus and growing mailing list by broadcast FAX and e-mail.

SCHUYLKILL, PA-- Schuylkill County has been selected by the Census Bureau as one of 31 pilot sites to provide social, economic and housing profiles on an annual basis.

DALTON, GA--Ron Van Gelderen, the incoming chair of TARGET TOMORROW, recently led a group in reviewing progress on Quality of Life issues. Children issues, education of Spanish speaking children, affordable housing, healthcare partnership, public safety, ethnic harmony, arts and cultural, and community pride programs were reviewed. Working Well, a work place wellness and prevention program for employers has provided some dramatic early reductions in healthcare cost. David Aft, President of the Northwest Georgia United Way has provided leadership in the Quality of Life Foundation. The review can be accessed at the TARGET TOMORROW web page.

LAKELAND, FL-- Polk County School officials sent a pamphlet home with each student that provides detailed information that a student must learn for each grade-by subject- from kindergarten through the eighth grade. High school pamphlets will follow later this year. Pamphlets are available at 941/534-0500.

HAMPTON ROADS, VA-- Hampton Roads went on their second annual city visit to Oklahoma City with a 70-member delegation. Jack Hornbeck, Chamber President, reported, "We took another strong step toward regionalism because we witnessed the fruits of unified efforts." Hampton Roads, the 4th largest MSA in the southeast is comprised of 16 separate government entities, including Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News and Williamsburg.

MEMPHIS, TN-- The MEMPHIS 2005 Workforce Development Initiative hosted Dr. Bill Daggett on December 1, 1998. He addressed, "The Changing Nature of the American Workplace and the Role of Business in School Reform". MEMPHIS 2005 has invested about $1 million over the first 2 years of their Workforce Development Program and is overseeing a $2 million grant for a school-to-career initiative.

JACKSONVILLE, FL--Jacksonville continues to grow as a Medical Center as Mayo Clinic increased the number of doctors on staff by 17% to 249 in 1998. The Mayo Hospital began liver transplants in 1998 with 50 the first year and recently has been approved for kidney and pancreas transplants.

MOBILE, AL--ENVISION MOBILE-BALDWIN had a December 3 luncheon with Michael Gallis speaking on "A New Conceptual Framework for Regions". Gallis is Associate Professor, College of Architectural, UNC-Charlotte and has spoken extensively on Regional Collaboration.

GILLETTE, WY--At a November 15, 1998 meeting, VISION 20/20 reported endorsement of 77 Vision Partners compared to a goal of 75. Sixty-three strategies have been adopted including 24 priority strategies.

MOBILE, AL--COMMUNICATIONS! ENVISION MOBILE-BALDWIN distributed their 2nd quarterly newsletter. You can access on their web page.

GWINNETT, GA--The Gwinnett County Commission approved a Property Maintenance ordinance that regulates exterior building maintenance, residential occupancy limitations, fences, tree stumps and swimming pools. The law goes into effect January 1, 1999.

PENSACOLA, FL-- Envision EscaRosa has the endorsement of over 155 Vision Partners. They had a meeting on October 29, 1998 to coordinate the efforts of their Action Teams and Benchmark Task Force in Strategy Adoption and Implementation. Becky Bray developed a great Power Point Presentation for the meeting.

DALTON, GA--Henry Luke described the Vision Process to the Leadership Georgia class on October 20, 1998.

JACKSONVILLE, FL--Henry Luke has written the "Community Visioning Course Syllabus" that will be used at six Chamber Institutes this summer.

COMING EVENTS--First Annual Town Hall Meeting-Rapid City, SD-January 19 and Mobile, AL-March 3; Town Hall Meetings to review the Vision draft in Minot, ND-January 21, and Lakeland, FL-February 11; and the Stakeholders Summit in Wilkes, NC-February 28

HISTORICAL COMMENTS
from HENRY LUKE’S
VISIONING PROJECTS

Atlanta, Georgia

Enclosed is the VISIONS 2000 report as adopted by the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Chamber. The Board was extremely complimentary of the work and felt we were on target with the VISIONS we identified.

Robert M. Holder December 3, 1985

Chairman, VISIONS 2000 Task Force

Atlanta Chamber of Commerce

Atlanta, Georgia

Henry, VISIONING has been an essential element in Atlanta’s rise to become a world class city rivaling London, Paris, Tokyo and New York.

We said in our VISION drafted in 1985 that "we wanted to be a strong contender for every world athletic event." I don’t know that we had the Olympics in mind, but our VISION pointed us toward building a city that was capable of hosting the Centennial Olympics when we decided to enter the world competition.

Gerald L. Bartels, CCE April 19, 1994

President-Atlanta Chamber of Commerce

Atlanta, Georgia

Richmond, Virginia

Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your coming to Richmond five years ago to get us focusing on the future. Jim Dunn, my brother Jim, and a number of other leaders really have our community moving rather rapidly in the right direction. That work started with you facilitating the visioning process in our region.

The resulting successes have restored our self-esteem and the disappointments we have experienced will help us better prepare for future opportunities. From the engineering school to the riverfront to the biotech park to the announcements by Motorola and Siemens coming to Richmond, our region has come together like never before. Your work with Richmond has been incredibility beneficial to Richmond.... Thanks again and congratulations on the difference you are making in the lives of those who reap the benefits of your labors on their behalf."

Bobby Ukrop June 5, 1996

President-Ukrops Supermarkets

Richmond, Virginia

The most important thing we did in 1991 was bring Henry Luke to Richmond to help us go through a regional VISIONING process.

James W. Dunn, CCE October 2, 1994 President-Metropolitan Richmond Chamber of Commerce

Richmond, Virginia

On April 12, 1995, Motorola announced a semiconductor manufacturing facility near Richmond costing $3 billion providing over 5,000 jobs with an average salary of $35,000. Dunn said

" Without the solid accomplishments on key priorities identified in the 1991 VISION process, we would not have been in a position to be competitive for Motorola."

James W. Dunn, CCE April, 1995 President-Metropolitan Richmond Chamber of Commerce

Richmond, Virginia

Schuylkill, Pennsylvania

Henry, hopefully you've caught up with our weekend coverage announcing that Vision exceeded its job creation Key Benchmark. This is only the latest in what has been and will be an ongoing series of reportable successes…due also in large part to the experienced leadership resources you brought to the process!

Uzal Martz July 13, 1999

Publisher-Pottsville REPUBLICAN

Schuylkill, Pennsylvania

Mobile, Alabama

In 1998, area volunteers began turning the regional community's strategic plan, Envision Mobile-Baldwin, into action. To date, more than 348 businesses and organizations have adopted strategies and are coordinating efforts to achieve them. The City of Mobile's strategic plan was realigned in 1998 to support the regional vision defined by over 1,000 active Mobile and Baldwin county citizens.

Mike Dow March 1999

Mayor

Mobile, Alabama

Our collective dreams, aspirations and goals are a call for such great undertakings. Developing and advancing the goals outlined here today and those in the Envision Mobile-Baldwin regional plan will make our city and region one of the best communities in the nation. Within our collective capabilities, let's come together and secure this legacy for our children.

Sam Jones March 1999

Mobile County Commissioner

Mobile, Alabama

Augusta, Georgia

We have rave reviews regarding Henry Luke’s professional facilitation. He truly facilitates rather than improperly steering participates.

Al Hodge December 1, 1994

President- Metro Augusta Chamber of Commerce

Augusta, Georgia

Memphis, Tennessee

We know that in order to become a world class city, we must provide a labor force with world class skills. Memphis 2005 will get us there.

Marc Jordan April 1996

President-Memphis Chamber of Commerce

Memphis, Tennessee

Dalton, Georgia

The Work of "Target Tomorrow" continues…Thanks for all your help-I am convinced that "Target Tomorrow" has made an important contribution to our forward progress in Dalton and in the region.

David Aft May 4, 1999

President-United Way Northeast Georgia

Dalton, Georgia

I was sure that the results of creating a new "VISION" for Whitfield County would translate into squeaky-clean propositions totally without substance. Then Friday I attended my first full session of the VISIONING process. Focusing on the issue of economic development, the two-hour meeting totally changed my views of Luke. Folks, this man knows his job. Luke offered very few concrete strategy points. Instead, he demanded that the solutions come from Task Force members. And, in the process, I think he got just what we all want so much---a viable plan for future growth.

Murray Coleman June 26, 1996

Business Editor-The Daily Citizen-News

Dalton, Georgia

Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News, Virginia-Hampton Roads

Henry Luke understands economic development. He understands community development and the issues that will impact the future of communities. He has the ability to get diverse groups of people together and get them to talk and make decisions. This was Luke’s third Chamber assignment with Hornbeck since 1985.

Jack Hornbeck, CCE October 11, 1993 President-Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce

Norfolk, VA

Henry Luke was very, very effective. We did not know how to structure PLAN 2007.

He really helped us define what we’re trying to do.

William H. Wallace October 11, 1993

Dean-College of Business- Old Dominion University

Hampton Roads, Virginia

Southern Business & Development said in the Spring 1996, "Hampton Roads seems well positioned to emerge as an economic force to be mentioned in the same breath with the Atlantas, Dallases, Orlandos and Charlottes of the world. On the cusp of the 21st century, this ambitious giant suddenly is coming fully awake." Jack Hornbeck, President of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce said, "I credit our recent success to at least two key things- the re-focusing of our development efforts as a result of PLAN 2007 and a new spirit of public/private sector cooperation in taking advantage of our opportunities".

VISION Newsletter

Florida Department of Transportation

There was only one person in Florida to turn for guidance, facilitation, and leadership--Henry Luke! After the positive intensity of our sessions together Florida’s DOT had its first strategic transportation plan. This plan resulted in an awakening of Florida’s citizens, and even some in state government. No fair minded observer can doubt that this "road map" for Florida’s future was critical to the passage of Amendment 4, and the largest user fee increases in history.

Kaye N. Henderson , P.E. June 28, 1993

Secretary--Florida Department of Transportation (1987-1990)

Tallahassee, Florida

Tyler, Texas

Our VISION process has played a key role in our success. Without this Strategic Plan to guide our efforts, we do not believe Tyler would have achieved the great results of the last two years.

Tom Mullins November 1995

President -Tyler EDC and Chamber

Tyler, Texas

St. Lucie, Florida

Three referendums passed in St. Lucie County, Florida on March 12, 1996 and a $60 million school bond issue passed in November 1995. "We are really excited about these victories...which all came out of VISION-St. Lucie Strategies."

Butch Terpening April 1996

Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce 1996

Fort Pierce, Florida

Spokane, Washington/Kootenai, Idaho

There was an electricity in the Stakeholders Summit participants that I believe was born out of the diversity represented and the anticipation that this would be a more important process than they had ever seen in Spokane.

Rich Hadley April 1996

President -Spokane Chamber of Commerce

Spokane, Washington

Lexington, Kentucky

Henry Luke came to Lexington in 1995 and lit our fuse.

Brad Cowgill October 1995

Chairman-New Century Lexington

Lexington, Kentucky

Summer-1996

Blacksburg/Roanoke, Virginia-The New Century Council

Now that we are well into the second phase of our visioning, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for doing such a great job for The New Century Council. As we proceed, it becomes even clearer how important you have been to our mission.

Your ability to take such a variety of people and background and mold them into a cohesive unit, concerned and caring about themselves and their region, is a real talent. Where we were reaching beyond the MSA to include the New River Valley, this ability proved to be crucial in our success.

As Tom Robertson said at our meeting of over 500 volunteers who have responded to our vision, "Henry Luke was the one consultant who stood out when we sought help and he did an extraordinary job for The New Century Council process." Henry, the success of our numbers also indicates the strength and potential of the vision you helped us write and we will forever be grateful for your contributions toward making Western Virginia a better place for everyone.

Bev Fitzpatrick June 29, 1994

Director-The New Century Council

Roanoke, Virginia

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

The Chamber-led Challenge 21 VISIONING and Strategic Planning Process is making excellent progress. To date, we have been very pleased and gratified at the outstanding citizen participation achieved and the efficiency of the process we are using.

Bill Lanford July 1996

Chairman-Challenge 21-VISION

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Spartanburg, South Carolina

Henry, we keep the VISION document in front of our Board at least annually for our planning process.

The Visions Program has made a difference for Spartanburg. It has helped us think bigger and more positive. The proof is in the doing: TW Services (Spartan Food Systems) has its new 18 story corporate headquarters downtown and nearly 1,000 employees in the center city; voters just approved an $11 million referendum for a new downtown library; a Cultural Center Foundation has been organized and is planning a downtown project; and BMW, which will have its administrative support headquarters in our downtown for at least the next two years. We’re still working on a downtown hotel, road and water/sewer improvements.

F. Ben Haskew, Jr. CCE November 12, 1992

President

Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce

Charlotte, North Carolina

One of the unique things about the process was just that:- the process. We had no draft to start with. We brought these 51 strong voices together and we started out in a fully participatory manner. And so the VISIONS became an affirmative statement of what we hoped the community would see sometime early in the 21st century.

Bill Lee October 13, 1985 Chairman-Duke Power Company Charlotte Observer

Chairman- Charlotte VISIONS Task Force

Charlotte, North Carolina

A group from Orange County, North Carolina made a city visit to Charlotte in 1993. A week later, one of the participants was shown the 1985 VISION for a Greater Charlotte. Ted Abernathy said to Henry Luke "This document was not mentioned in Charlotte, but they talked constantly about the importance of their shared VISION and all of the elements of the shared VISION described during our visit are in this 1985 VISION document" This is an example of a VISION being broadly shared by the community and then over time becoming reality.

Ted Abernathy June, 1993

Director of the Orange County Economic Development Commission

Chapel Hill, North Carolina