Document:

United Camas Association of Neighborhoods Evolving a Vision for Camas 2001 – 2015

1. Introduction
   It is our contention that Camas would benefit from a process to (1) develop a vision for the present and future through a community-wide process, (2) identify core community values, (3) identify assets and deficits related to the vision and values, and (4) detail selected needs and desires to help resolve challenges, problems, and liabilities.
   
   Camas has changed from a community substantially dependent on a single industry to a community with a variety of industries and potential partners. The city has also experienced substantial population growth during the past 10 years bringing in many new people with a variety of hopes and desires for their new community. Longer term residents have become increasingly concerned about the impact of growth on the community they knew and their hopes and expectations for the future should be done by a broad, inclusive participation of the Camas community.
   
   Together we must shape our "commons" (those public spaces, places and events that form our human ecology in this community) to enrich the quality of all our lives.
   
   
2. Background
   Concerns about "things that matter" have been the topics of discussions among Camas residents for generations. Actions have been taken on many of these needs and desires. But actions on other needs and desires have not been taken at various times for a variety of reasons including the "small size" of the city, no urgency doe to slow growth, lack of an adequate tax base, and a frequent tendency to consider projects from an independent, rather than an integrated view.
   
   The recent and continuing unprecedented, quantitative growth of Camas (industries, businesses, homes, population, reduced open space, school expansion, etc.) has changed many of the variables related to "things that matter." Discussions among resident gatherings (i.e. 1999 and 2000 United Camas Association of Neighborhoods (UCAN) Goal Setting Sessions, School Facilities Study/Planning Sessions, School Board Meetings, Planning Commission Meetings, Library Remodel Planning Sessions, and Neighborhood Meetings) have raised many questions regarding our community. Questions have been raised regarding the directions our community is moving (or not moving), the rate at which it is moving and our priorities.
   
   Among the questions that have been raised are the following: (1) As the quantitative aspects of Camas have grown, has the "quality of life" of Camas as a community been improved?, (2) What values and priorities are used in determining growth and development?, (3) What development do we want and what are we hoping to achieve from development?, (4) has the rapid growth of the community led to a sense of fragmentation both within the community and in planning?, (5) Is some of this fragmentation due to a lack of a community vision for the future? And (6) How can continuing and changing expectations and desires of residents on a variety of separate issues be obtained, synthesized and considered in an integrated way?
   
   At a recent UCAN meeting (Sept. 1999) Mayor Dossett and City Administrator Halverson indicated they believed in the usefulness of a vision document, but do not have one at the present time and have no immediate plans for producing one. They believe there are implied and stated visionary elements in the 1994 Camas Comprehensive Plan and in the recently approved Parks and Recreation Plan. At a more recent meeting with UCAN representatives they indicated they supported the vision project as outlined.
   
   As a city-wide, grass-roots organization UCAN has been working to increase dialogue and broad-based participation on neighborhood and city issues. UCAN is a logical group to serve as the coordinating organization to bring together a community-wide group for dialogue, coordinate the community involvement process, and produce a White Paper (a short paper on a single major topic or issue frequently investigative in approach). The timing for this type of activity is important, and now appears to be a desirable time.
   
   
3. Goals -- this project has several major goals. Each is listed:
   1. The intent of the process is to build a community where people regularly share in dialogue regarding their visions, current status as needed and desired actions.
   2. The process is designed to build capability and capacity for dialogue between and among individuals, groups, and organizations within Camas about "things that matter."
   3. The process is designed to develop capability and capacity for renewal.
   4. The process should make citizens more aware of the need to share the burdens, as well as the benefits of their evolving vision and actions.
   5. Broad participation should develop shared-ownership regarding goals and directions for the future. It should also increase mutual commitment for collective purposes and priorities. The process will not eliminate single issue concerns and actions, but it will help to provide a "community rudder" for collective actions.
   6. A White Paper will be produced and include the vision, values, principles, assets and deficits that result from the process.
   7. The White Paper should provide ideas that will encourage future collaboration within Camas and help to provide for continuity of thought and action.
   8. The process and the document will provide a model and a record for continuing dialogue on an evolving vision for the community based on shared values and principles.
   
   
4. A Proposed Plan
   A. Obtain UCAN endorsement to proceed with the project. (Completed)
   
   B. Identify a UCAN Steering Committee. (Completed)
   
   C. Develop a brief regarding the project, goals, process and product. (Completed)
   
   D. Develop and estimated budget based on projected plans. (Completed)
   
   E. Secure needed funding.
   
   F. Expand the Steering Committee to include other city groups, organizations and interests.
   
   G. Plan and schedule three meetings for a city-wide group of participants.
   
   H. Invite nominations for participants – A suggested list:
   1. Schools – 5: youth – 3, staff – 1, board – 1
   2. City Council – 1
   3. City Government – 1
   4. Business and Industry – 4: Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Association, Fort James, Wafertech.
   5. Labor Groups – 2
   6. Churches – 1
   7. Senior Citizens – 1
   8. Young Adults – 1
   9. UCAN – 3: Older Camas, Newer Camas, At-Large
   10. Social Service Agencies – 1
   11. Service Clubs – 1
   12. At-Large Citizens – 2 or 3
   13. Camas-Washougal Port – 1
   
   I. Hold three meetings
   1. Prior to the meetings distribute a concept paper with a homework assignment for ideas and questions to bring to the first meeting.
   2. Use general, accepted principles in meeting design.
   a. Build from good, make better.
   b. Emphasize "things that matter."
   c. Good meeting environment.
   d. Facilitator.
   e. Food, refreshments available.
   
   F. Breaks.
   
   G. Multi-media aids.
   
   H. Check perceptions of all people periodically.
   
   I. Allow participants to influence the design of the second and third meetings.
   
   J. Provide feedback from meetings, plus an activity to complete for the following meeting.
   
   K. Closure.
   3. Produce a White Paper (draft) that can be circulated to group representatives for reaction.
   4. Circulate the White paper (draft) for reaction from others.
   5. Collect reactions, modify the paper.
   6. Conduct surveys of citizens – visions, values, perceived needs, desires.
   7. Modify the White Paper (draft) based on additional information obtained from the surveys.
   8. Present the White Paper (second draft) and the report of the surveys to UCAN (public meeting). Obtain written and verbal reactions.
   9. Modify paper if needed.
   10. Distribute paper (third draft) to all original participants and media. Make a formal presentation to the City Council. Put a copy on file at the Camas Public Library and the UCAN office.
   11. Follow-up Activity.
   a. Assign UCAN liaisons to major city commissions, committees. Attend and feedback.
   b. Assign UCAN liaisons to City Council. Attend and feedback.
   c. Assign UCAN liaisons to School Board. Attend and feedback.
   d. Assign UCAN liaisons with business. Meet, feedback.
   e. Assign UCAN liaisons to social service agencies. Meet, feedback.
   f. Survey, interview representatives of other groups involved in the process. Feedback.
   g. Summarize feedback reports – reactions, use, suggestions.
   h. Report follow-up results to UCAN (public meeting) and Celebration!
   i. Determine where to go from here …