Power of 32: Improving the Region through Community Conversations

The rain was falling steadily Thursday afternoon, but that didn’t stop numerous students, faculty members, and community members from coming out and experiencing the 'Power of 32'. Facilitated by James Fogarty, this workshop focused on bringing the people of the Frostburg community together to begin improving the region. According to Fogarty, “the purpose of this conversation is to listen to you.”

Fogarty was more a facilitator than a speaker, admitting to the audience that he was following a script. Instead, the audience did the majority of the talking. Members of the audience were seated at tables throughout the area in small groups of 6-8. Within these groups, the audience would discuss topics presented on the Community Conversation Agenda. Topics included:
o Discussion 1: Defining a Thriving Region
o Discussion 2: Challenges and Strengths
o Discussion 3: Possibilities
o Discussion 4: Fast-Forward to our Future
o What is Next?

Members were first given time to reflect and answer the questions presented by Fogarty on these topics, then discuss their ideas with their table. The best ideas where then written onto sticky notes, which were eventually turned in to be entered into the initiative’s database. Before moving on to the next topic, each table would share ideas with the entire group in what Fogarty referred to as ‘call-out’ sessions. This process was the basis of the whole workshop. After all, the main purpose was to gather the ideas of the region’s people. As Fogarty stated, “Your input is what is driving our agenda.”

Community Conversations like this one have been held and are being held all across the region. These Community Conversations are the first of three phases of the 'Power of 32' Regional Agenda. The next two phases, Framing Solutions and Regional Town Meeting, will take the top challenges identified in the conversations and develop options for solving them. Above all, the 'Power of 32' is a regional visioning initiative working towards solving the problems of the Greater Pittsburgh Region and improving the quality of life for all residents. The initiative’s main goals are to create a shared vision influenced by all members of the region, instill a sense of optimism in these same members, and to connect people and communities in a way that will benefit the region. All this will be done by uniting residents, businesses, non-profit organizations, community leaders, and the government. According to the Community Conversations: The Power of Possibility Participant Guide, by the end of 2025 the 'Power of 32' hopes to have created a “high quality of life, economically, socially, & environmentally, opportunities available to all residents, and success throughout the region- rural, exurban, suburban, and urban.”

The 'Power of 32' region consists of 32 counties (including Allegany County), spanning across Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia; the region encompasses 17, 380 miles. According to the 'Power of 32', “the region is ten times larger than Rhode Island.” In total, 4.2 million people call this region home. However, the population is not a diverse one. According to Fogarty, “we are still one of the least diverse regions in a country full of diversity.” Along with improving the economy, the initiative also hopes to solve this diversity issue.

For those interested in more information on the 'Power of 32', visit www.powerof32.org or join the Power of 32 Facebook and Twitter groups.