Michigan’s Defining Moment: Public Engagement and Michigan’s Transformation

1. Michigan’s Defining Moment: Public Engagement and Michigan’s Transformation Peter Pratt October 3, 2008

2. What is Michigan’s Defining Moment? It’s a statewide effort to: • Engage residents in discussion and common ground agenda-setting for Michigan’s future • Amplify citizen voices by communicating the citizens’ agenda directly • Move our state forward through bipartisan collaboration • Reach and engage (and keep engaged) 10,000 by 2010 • MDM provides intense, inclusive statewide discussion about our future and concerted action to improve those future prospects.

3. Why is MDM necessary? • The state’s economy is transforming rapidly and business, governmental, and social systems face mounting strain and change. • We need energized, mobilized citizens to lay the foundation for future prosperity. 

4. What is the common ground agenda so far? The agenda includes three principles: • a talented, globally competitive workforce • a vibrant economy and great quality of life • effective, efficient and accountable government

5. What is the common ground agenda so far? (cont.) • Pre-K – 16 Education • Lifelong learning • Economic development and diversification • Entrepreneurialism • Quality of place • Rebranding Michigan as “The North Coast” • Accountability and bipartisan leadership • Clear taxing and spending priorities • Government collaboration and service sharing

6. What is the common ground agenda so far? (cont.) • These were developed in 180 meetings across the state • The agenda will evolve over time; it is not set in stone

7. How does MDM work? • Community Conversations are central to MDM’s public engagement efforts • Volunteers in every corner of the state convene residents of their local communities in groups of 10-15 people • Review of scorecard on statewide public issues • Brainstorming and prioritizing of strategies for improving Michigan

8. How does MDM work? (cont.) • Identify successful community and regional practices • Citizen voices get heard Conclusions from each conversation are recorded and compiled into statewide “common ground” reports that are widely distributed • Citizen action doesn’t stop with talk

9. Why do you call it “Michigan’s Defining Moment?” • Michigan faces a watershed election in November 2010. • The governor, senate majority leader, speaker of the house, attorney general, and secretary of state will be replaced because of term limits. • Thirty of 38 current state senators and more than 70 percent of the Michigan House of Representatives will be gone by January 2011.

10. Why do you call it “Michigan’s Defining Moment?”(cont.) • MDM does not support or endorse candidates of either political party. • The coming turnover in Lansing provides ideal opportunity for citizens to take ownership of the state’s future.

11. How did MDM get started? • MDM began in spring 2007 when more than 100 diverse statewide and community leaders from business, education, the non-profit sector, and the public sector came together as “Founding Champions” in large roundtable meetings.

12. How did MDM get started? (cont.) • These champions developed three principles for Michigan’s Future: (1) a talented and globally competitive workforce; (2) a vibrant economy and great quality of life; and (3) effective, efficient, and accountable government.

13. Who else has participated in MDM so far? • In its first year, MDM attracted 1,800 participants in 180 Community Conversations throughout the state. • In two rounds of conversations, participants overwhelmingly endorsed the three guiding principles for Michigan’s future and developed in-depth strategies and action steps. • That work is chronicled in Michigan’s Defining Moment: A Common Ground Agenda for Michigan’s Transformation.

14. How is MDM carrying the common ground agenda to elected leaders? • Briefings of the governor and legislators on the first-year results from the Community Conversations and distribution of the MDM agenda to legislators and House candidates • Candidate conversations—small-group and town hall forums • Sponsored DPTV debates on House races in southeast Michigan • Through 2010, MDM will organize meetings around the state at which elected officials will join MDM participants in discussions about how best to implement the agenda

15. Is retaining young talent part of the MDM agenda? • MDM actively recruits high school and college students, recent college graduates, and adults under age 35 to convene and participate in Community Conversations; 27% of the first-year participants were in this age range. • MDM has also formed the Emerging Leaders Forum of nearly two dozen young leaders who are advising the campaign on the best ways to engage Michigan’s young talent.

16. What can I do? What can I ask a friend/colleague to do? • Contact The Center for Michigan and volunteer to host a Community Conversation. All you have to do is invite 12-15 people to a location of your choice on a date and time that work for you and an MDM outreach coordinator will be there to facilitate the discussion. • Go to The Center’s website and register for the weekly “Fresh Thoughts for Michigan’s Transformation” newsletter. • Send us promising practices and stories of exemplary leadership in your region. • Tell one of the MDM outreach coordinators that you would like to meet with your state senator or representative to discuss the common ground agenda. • Participate in one of MDM’s online issue groups • Make a presentation to a local organization about MDM.

17. Michigan’s Defining Moment What can we create together? Peter Block