Recommendations / Civic Engagement / Big Idea #3: Titletown Leadership Coalition

Big Idea #3: Titletown Leadership Coalition

Part of the "BLENDED LINES" initiative

Civic EngagementValdosta-LowndesUnder $250,000

Overview

Establish a bi-annual, cross-sector Community Leadership Retreat that gathers civic leaders, stakeholders, and officials from public, private, and non-profit sectors. Operating under a collaborative, rotational funding and hosting model to distribute financial responsibility equitably, the retreat features discussion sessions and a team-based fundraising competition. Teams design and vote on localized community projects, with the highest-raising group earning the right to fully implement their project under their organization's name to promote direct community investment.

Action plan

Short-term
(Short Term Goals/Actions 0-6 Months): Form the central project steering committee and designate specific member roles; contract an external consulting firm to conduct a comprehensive gap analysis and community assessment; identify and invite key cross-sector stakeholders; coordinate retreat logistics (venue, accommodation, materials).
Medium-term
(Medium Term Goals/Actions 6-12 Months): Convene the steering committee to formulate targeted challenge questions based on the consulting firm's gap findings; launch active fundraising campaigns and secure corporate sponsorship packages; finalize retreat workshop tracks and open registration.
Long-term
(Long Term Goals/Actions 12-24 Months): Execute the kick-off event, breakout workshops, and project voting sessions at the retreat; complete fundraising goals and initiate development on the winning community project; host a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony for the project; distribute metrics and evaluate the long-term impact of the retreat cohort bi-annually.

Expected impact

Projected Public Trust ScoreCommunity

Qualitative index tracking trust levels, operational alignment, and relationship health within the cohort and local agencies.

Timeframe: Short-term
Projected Cross Sector CoordinationInstitutional

Total number of cross-sector executive representatives from government, corporate, education, and non-profit fields actively attending retreats.

Timeframe: Short-term
Projected Multi Stakeholder InvolvementInstitutional

Total number of public and private organizations maintaining active, ongoing bi-annual agreements with the leadership coalition.

Timeframe: Medium-term
Projected FundingEconomic

Total capital growth generated through the team-based retreat fundraising competition to fund the winning project.

Timeframe: Short-term

Key stakeholders

City of Valdosta GovernmentLowndes County GovernmentValdosta State University (VSU)Moody Air Force BaseMajor Private Corporations (e.g., Georgia Power)Local Non-Profits & Public School SystemsExternal Consulting Firm

Estimated budget

$90,000 to $150,000 Total Estimated Budget (Dependent upon final fundraising results). • Consulting Firm Fees: $20,000 – $30,000 (Community gap assessment). • Event Planning & Logistics: $10,000 – $15,000 (Includes $5,000 Venue, $3,000 Accommodation, $2,000 Materials & Supplies). • Marketing & Communication: $5,000. • Fundraising Support: $2,000. • Project Implementation Fund: $50,000 – $100,000 (Directly allocated to fund the winning group's community project). • Miscellaneous Contingency: $3,000.