EDH 2025 Plan_Original_Dec 05 Final

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experience as a lesson and to turn disappointment into resolve. They realized in retrospect that despite their own disappointment, the community was still excited. In addition, the ideas generated validated the results gleaned at the first workshop. Approximately 71 members of the public made the effort to attend this workshop and they expected a next step. Between the May 24, 2004 workshop and the third workshop in October, the group took four months to take the steps necessary to ensure that this would not be another exercise in futility. Forming the Friends of Downtown Hilo Steering Committee Development of the steering committee is an important part of this story. Committee volunteers joined in a revolutionary way—they decided to operate in as grassroots a manner as possible, despite the organizational difficulties this caused. This seemed to be the only option if the committee wanted to remain a true voice of the community. After extensive discussions they agreed that their ideal committee structure would have a lateral structure instead of the familiar vertical hierarchy of officers. During its initial meetings the steering committee referred to their mission: "To Build a Vibrant, Safe, and Attractive Downtown Hilo Community." This mission statement begged the question of just who was building this community. The group realized that they needed a more concrete identity and purpose. How could they communicate their purpose to the public if the committee members could not articulate that to themselves? Finally, after stumbling in their attempts to define what they were trying to accomplish, the committee received the invaluable help of,Jane Testa, Director of the Department of Research and Development for the County of Hawai'i. . . . . . . . . Jane led the committee through an eye-opening strategic planning Mini Lesson Learned: session on June 14, 2004, that eventually led to a committee name— In the early formative stages, Friends of Downtown Hilo Steering Committee, a mission statement, and values and philosophy. an enormous time commit- ment will be required from The lateral nature of the Friends of Downtown Hilo Steering steering committee members. Committee (FDHSC) presented challenges; however the group decided to proceed through collaboration and consensus. At times decision- making became time-consuming and confusing, and balancing discussion and action was challenging. Electronic communications came fast and furious. Discussions that took place at two- to four-hour committee meetings sometimes continued for days via e-mail. Eventually FDHSC made some concessions to structure by defining some roles and setting meeting ground rules. Steering Committee meetings were becoming too long and complicated. Subcommittees were needed to handle dozens of details outside of meetings. Beth Dykstra accepted the Community Liaison position, and after she left the committee, Alice Moon agreed to 13