Recommendations / Economic Development / Big Idea #1: Engage Monroe

Big Idea #1: Engage Monroe

Part of the "RUSH FORWARD" initiative

Economic DevelopmentMonroe-Walton Under $250,000

Overview

Reinstitute an Office of Community Engagement in city government to foster engagement and collaboration with citizens. The office would oversee a Diversity Advisory Board, Youth Council, Young Professionals Program, and Walton County Citizens Academy. The goal is to give a diverse and representative group of citizens access, agency, structure, and resources to become actively involved in shaping the future of Monroe.

Action plan

Short-term
Determine office location, supervising person(s), reporting structure, and budgets. Hire necessary personnel, including a full-time Director of Community Engagement and part-time Community Engagement Coordinator. Begin setup for the Diversity Advisory Board, Youth Council, Young Professionals Program, and Walton County Citizens Academy.
Medium-term
Conduct needs assessments, recruit members, establish board/program parameters, create marketing and outreach strategies, develop training programs, host focus groups, secure sponsorships, and launch initial program activities for each engagement program.
Long-term
Maintain ongoing community engagement programs that increase resident involvement, improve communication between residents and government, create youth and young professional leadership pipelines, and support informed civic participation through the Citizens Academy.

Expected impact

Projected Young Professional ParticipationCommunity

Tracks membership and participation in the Young Professionals Program.

Timeframe: Short-term
Projected Community ParticipationCommunity

Tracks opportunities for residents to serve, contribute, and meaningfully engage in Monroe civic life.

Timeframe: Medium-term
Projected Civic Learning ParticipationEducational

Tracks Walton County Citizens Academy graduates who report feeling more connected to the city and more likely to volunteer, serve, or participate.

Timeframe: Medium-term
Projected Volunteer EngagementCommunity

Tracks increased volunteer hours reported by Youth Council and Young Professionals participants.

Timeframe: Medium-term
Projected Cross Sector CoordinationInstitutional

Tracks collaboration among city government, advisory boards, community organizations, local businesses, and residents.

Timeframe: Long-term
Projected Youth Leadership EngagementCommunity

Tracks youth council participation, youth civic voice, leadership development, and reported likelihood of moving back to Monroe.

Timeframe: Medium-term
Projected Demographic InclusionEquity

Tracks whether minority and underrepresented populations feel they have an increased role in the community, downtown events, and city government.

Timeframe: Medium-term
Projected Advisory Committees CreatedInstitutional

Tracks creation of the Diversity Advisory Board, Youth Council, Young Professionals Program, and Walton County Citizens Academy.

Timeframe: Short-term
Projected Program Longevity YearsSustainability

Tracks whether the Office of Community Engagement and related programs continue beyond initial launch.

Timeframe: Long-term
Projected Public Service AccessCommunity

Tracks increased access to city information and services by diverse communities.

Timeframe: Short-term

Key stakeholders

City of MonroeCity AdministratorMonroe City CouncilOffice of Community EngagementDiversity Advisory BoardYouth CouncilYoung Professionals ProgramWalton County Citizens AcademyWalton Chamber of CommerceLocal SchoolsWalton County Board of CommissionersCommunity Foundation for Greater Atlanta

Estimated budget

Office of Community Engagement: $71,000. Diversity Advisory Board: $5,000. Youth Council: $6,300. Young Professionals Program: $5,220. Walton Citizen’s Academy: $4,700. Total: $92,220.