News Article: Decatur, Ga., residents ready to dig deeper into strategic plan discussions
May 5, 2010
In the first Round Table meeting to update the city’s 10-year strategic plan, residents of Decatur, Ga., became acquainted and began naming broad topics for discussion. In upcoming sessions, they will explore options for addressing issues like sustainability, infrastructure and community affordability.

News Article: Sustainability action forum in Portsmouth, N.H., lays the groundwork for change
March 19, 2010
Through a collaboration of Portsmouth Listens, Piscataqua Sustainability Initiative and the city Mayor's Blue Ribbon on Sustainable Practices, Portsmouth, N.H., develops 10 action plans focused on the most important sustainability issues facing the city.

News Article: Portsmouth, N.H., seeks residents' input for crafting sustainable vision
January 25, 2010
Residents will meet in "action circles" in the months ahead to create a vision for a more sustainable Portsmouth. The goal is to "engage the community in a transformation of the way the city handles a wide range of environmental and energy issues."

News Article: Colorado Springs, Colo., moves from vision to action
January 9, 2010
After last summer's dialogues focused on planning the future of Colorado Springs, Colo., "Dream City: Vision 2020" is ready for action. The goal is to find and connect individuals and organizations to lead the way on the 10 action areas.

News Article: Author to talk about taking ownership of our communities
January 2, 2010
As part of the Dream City: Vision 2020 initiative in Colorado Springs, Colo., author Peter Block will talk about the need for communities to build their social fabric. “We should lose interest in looking for some romanticized leader to fix everything... and start taking ownership of our communities."

News Article: Brainstorming a sustainable city
November 22, 2009

News Article: Schools smart to get input from parents
October 15, 2009

News Article: Community dialogue effort uses Facebook for virtual meeting
October 14, 2009
A Facebook page is helping the York Community Forum in Maine launch a series of face-to-face dialogues next summer to explore the future of the town. "We want to provide a connection point for the community."

News Article: Parents want answers on Portsmouth school redistricting
October 14, 2009

News Article: A call for “study circles” on school redistricting plan
September 30, 2009
Residents of Portsmouth, N.H., took part in dialogues in 2001 to help the school board develop an elementary school redistricting plan. The community might be tapped again to work on another redistricting plan.

News Article: Colorado Springs Library exhibit honors visionaries who shaped the region
August 26, 2009
Dream City: Vision 2020, a community-wide effort to shape the future of Colorado Springs, Colo., inspires an exhibit of photos, stories and video of people who helped shape the region.

News Article: Portsmouth, NH Middle School Bond was a Must
August 24, 2009

News Article: Building a 21st century education in Portsmouth
August 19, 2009
With a $37.5 million bond approved to renovate a middle school in Portsmouth, N.H., the school's principal reflects, "Between committees, study circles, community forums, and public hearings the council held, I think everyone had a voice."

News Article: Public to weigh in on Portsmouth middle school bond
August 10, 2009

News Article: "Study circle"-supported school renovation inches closer to becoming a reality
August 5, 2009
More than a year after many Portsmouth, N.H., residents voiced their support in renovating rather than relocating their middle school, the school board moves to vote on numbers for the project.

News Article: Portsmouth, N.H., continues to advance school renovation
July 23, 2009
Years after Portsmouth, N.H., residents shared their recommendation to renovate their middle school, the city council moves forward to make a vote on the bond issue.

News Article: Hundreds dream about a better place at Dream City summit
July 19, 2009

News Article: Has all that talk led to action?
July 14, 2009
In Tucson, Ariz., the short answer is "yes!" Tuscon's regional "town hall" style community conversations have engaged hundreds of people to find solutions to everything from land use to early childhood education.

News Article: Helping a town go green
May 3, 2009
As part of an outgrowth of the Portsmouth Listens' dialogue-to-change efforts in Portsmouth, N.H., a sustainability initiative continues to thrive by tapping residents for ideas on "greening" their coastal town.

News Article: Dream City 2020: Springs should tap its wonders, find its identity
March 6, 2009

News Article: Dream City 2020 hopes to help the city realize its potential
February 24, 2009
"When the pain of doing something is less than the pain of doing nothing is when communities want to change," said Jon Abercrombie of Everyday Democracy, who is helping Dream City organizers.

News Article: Colorado Springs, Colo., looking into the future
February 16, 2009
The DREAM CITY 2020 initiative imagines what Colorado Springs, Colo., will be like in 2020 after residents join together in the arts, education and a civic engagement effort to create a sustainable community.

News Article: Local 'green' movement will pay off
January 14, 2009

News Article: Excitement grows at sustainability event
January 11, 2009

News Article: A time of challenge and opportunity in Portsmouth, N.H.
January 8, 2009
As an outgrowth of a dialogue-to-change effort in Portsmouth, N.H., the Portsmouth Sustainability Initiative is bringing the community together to help build a local, resilient economy.

News Article: Port Townsend stadium a field of needs
November 12, 2008
The community of Port Townsend, Wash., will begin working together in dialogues to help create a new parks, recreation and open space plan. ""We want this to lead to an action plan. We want to see action in 2010."

News Article: Town's future to emerge from conversations
November 5, 2008
Morris County, Kan., is calling all residents to help create a three-year strategic plan this fall by taking part in community discussions.

News Article: Create Huntington seeks input, ideas for improving city
October 23, 2008

News Article: Kansas City, Mo., to help develop transportation plan
October 15, 2008
Residents of Kansas City, Mo., will take part in community discussions this fall as part of "Transportation Outlook 2040," an initiative to develop a long-range transporation plan for the Kansas City region.

News Article: Portsmouth board: Pay attention to middle school process
September 22, 2008

News Article: Seeking a new vision for Huntington, W.V.
September 19, 2008
A group called "Create Huntington" in W.V. is getting people together in discussions this fall to help create a livable and vibrant community.

News Article: Getting green in Portsmouth, N.H.
September 18, 2008
A sustainability effort that grew out of the Portsmouth Listens' dialogue-to-change effort is now serving as a hub for Portsmouth residents who want to learn more about and act on "green" issues in the region.

News Article: Bringing change through conversation
September 10, 2008
Chattanooga, Tenn., begins planning its "Everyday Democracy" program this fall to bring people together in dialogue about the city's future.

News Article: Public meetings set for West Nashville Community Plan
September 9, 2008

News Article: Revitalizing a city is taking root
September 7, 2008
After a series of community discussions about renewing the west-side section of Bloomington, Ill., residents create a new community garden that they hope will become another anchor of positive activity.

News Article: The little town that could
August 27, 2008
After years of facing a declining population, Melstone, Montana, is revitalizing its city by drawing more residents, creating a youth and senior center, and beautifying the community.

News Article: Developing a 20/20 strategic town plan
July 23, 2008
Last year, residents of Pine Bluff, Ark., helped create a vision for the community by identifying goals for the "Pine Bluff 20/20 Strategic Plan." This week, everyone will join together to learn about the progress made on these goals.

News Article: New generation of ‘study circles’ to look at development
July 9, 2008
Dubbed as the "gateway to Northeastern Connecticut's Quiet Corner," the town of Coventry is turning to its residents to help shape the community's future.

News Article: Making sustainability part of everyday conversation
July 6, 2008
At a recent eco-conference in Sweden, Bert Cohen and Skye Maher talked about efforts in Portmouth, N.H., to build a sustainable community through a joint partnership of the city, Portsmouth Listens study circles and grassroots groups.

News Article: Where will we be in 2020?
June 27, 2008
This is the question residents of the Pikes Peak region in Colorado Springs, Colo., are asking themselves as they launch "Dream City: Vision 2020," a new dialogue-to-change initiative giving everyone a role in shaping the community's future.

News Article: Brookline groups ready to look to future
June 5, 2008

News Article: An appeal to make every voice count in York, Maine
May 28, 2008
Following the second defeat of a proposed new town hall in York, Maine, resident Ron McAllister makes the case that the town needs to, first, "build democratic institutions" before it can build new town facilities.

News Article: Portsmouth sustainbility experts invited to worldwide event
May 23, 2008
At the upcoming International Eco-municipality Conference in Sweden, Bert Cohen and Skye Maher will share the "three-legged stool" approach that Portsmouth, N.H., has used to create a sustainable place, which includes dialogue for change.

News Article: Creating a livable city for Tampa, Fla.
May 20, 2008
Now becoming the place to live, Tampa, Fla., and its residents are working together to handle the community's rapid growth and shape a new comprehensive plan.

Featured Story: Indianapolis neighborhood fights toxins
April 21, 2008
What began as a few people talking in a church-based dialogue has grown into a widening campaign for environmental justice in Indiana.

News Article: Portsmouth Sustainability Fair draws a crowd
April 20, 2008

News Article: 'Green' fair Saturday
April 17, 2008

News Article: Everyday people finding solutions to global warming
April 16, 2008
The Seattle-based 2People.org is bringing together residents in Port Townsend, Washington, to talk about climate change and develop "green" action steps.

News Article: Gazing into the future of Keene
April 15, 2008
This spring, residents of Keene, N.H., are helping the city to create a new master plan. "It's going to tell us what the people really want, what they think and how they think of the city of Keene," says Mayor Philip Dale Pregent.

News Article: A vision for the future - Brookline begins process of planning to direct growth
April 11, 2008

News Article: Developing a long-range plan in Seneca, S.C.
April 7, 2008
Seneca, S.C., is inviting residents to take part in dialogues to help the city create a new vision. "Participants will lay the important ground work for positive change in the city," says city planner Tamy Sanford.

News Article: Sustainability fair planned in Portsmouth
April 7, 2008
As Portsmouth, N.H., residents continue to take part in dialogues to create a "greener" community, the city hosts a sustainability fair for the public.

News Article: Creating a new vision in Keene, N.H.
April 6, 2008
Following the lead of Portsmouth, N.H., in creating a new city master plan with its residents, Keene, N.H., is preparing to engage its community in dialogues to shape its future.

News Article: Middle school dispute thaws in Portsmouth
March 15, 2008

News Article: Recreation on Jones Ave.
February 7, 2008

News Article: Middle school site vote could be forced
January 24, 2008

News Article: A meeting of the sustainability-driven minds
January 17, 2008
After months of discussions, meetings and PowerPoint presentations, the Piscataqua Sustainability Initiative in Portsmouth, N.H., is working to take all that talk and turn it into action.

News Article: Sustainability groups party set
January 11, 2008

News Article: City supports residents leading sustainability efforts
December 28, 2007
The mayor-elect in Portsmouth, N.H., vows to continue to support the work of residents in building a sustainable community. "It's a great opportunity for people to come together and do good things for the environment," says Tom Ferrini.

Success Story: Planning a better community for all
November 8, 2007
Once known as an agricultural center in the state, Putnam County, Ga., is now a community feeling the effects of regional growth. This year, long-time residents and new-comers come together to help shape the future of the community.

News Article: Middle school site switch feared
October 4, 2007

News Article: Cohen: Sustainability of the planet starts locally
September 30, 2007

News Article: Green' region goal of this project
September 28, 2007

News Article: 18 set sights on the City Council: Age, experience and reasons for running run the gamut
September 16, 2007

News Article: Monona takes a 'natural step' to a greener city
September 12, 2007

News Article: Portsmouth, N.H., residents take on sustainability
September 10, 2007
Engaging in community dialogue for change has become a routine way for Portsmouth residents to grapple with local issues. This time, they're working together to create a more sustainable community.

News Article: Portsmouth, N.H., school board backs study circles' recommendations
July 3, 2007
After hours of pouring over reports and attending numerous meetings, Portsmouth Listens' study circles celebrate as the school board backs their recommendation to keep the city's middle school downtown.

News Article: Study circles are voice of reason in the middle school debate
June 19, 2007
After hours of pouring over reports and attending numerous meetings, residents of Portsmouth, N.H., taking part in study circles decide to keep the city's middle school downtown, helping to create a "livable, walkable city."

News Article: Middle school talks go public
May 1, 2007
More than 100 Portsmouth, N.H., residents turned out on Monday night to kick off a month-long study circle program to determine the future of its middle school.

News Article: Portsmouth, N.H., brings dialogue to city budget decisions
May 30, 2006
Portsmouth Listens brought citizens and elected officials together to deliberate the city's tough budget choices. As one citizen said upon learning of the roundtables, "You mean I’ll get to ask questions and get answers?"

News Article: Study circles to help shape future of Casa Grande, Ariz.
February 28, 2006
Faced with rapid growth, a history of racial tensions, and lack of opportunities for youth, Casa Grande is engaging residents in study circles on education as a first step to strengthening their community.

News Article: Study circle coordinator lends an ear to her community
January 11, 2006
For Arnette Johnson, a study circle coordinator in Kuna, Idaho, listening is key. "...If you’re part of a...process where you mingle your opinions with others, and widen your view by listening, you can make recommendations for a solution.”

News Article: A sneak peek at city's future
March 25, 2005

News Article: Woodstock Study Circles envisions a bright future
January 7, 2005
Dozens of residents have been going in circles for the past few months, but fear not, for their efforts - far from aimless - have resulted in forward progress for the town.

News Article: New Madera needs help from all good people
December 18, 2004

News Article: Woodstock residents create 'study circles'
October 6, 2004

News Article: Blueprint for Willington's future nearly done
November 13, 2003

News Article: Portsmouth has spoken - now it's time to listen
September 15, 2003

News Article: Sharing information is key in building community
July 18, 2003

News Article: Mixed-use redevelopment proposed for key city areas
July 16, 2003

News Article: Leave keys at home: Walk, bike around city
July 13, 2003

News Article: Volunteers unveil vision for city's future,'
July 11, 2003

News Article: Listen group presents findings,'
July 9, 2003

News Article: Planning Board approves plan for Sagamore Creek conservation land
May 16, 2003

News Article: Portsmouth Listens hears about project
April 30, 2003

News Article: Group plans to activate vision
April 17, 2003

News Article: No need to wait to enact Portsmouth Listens initiatives
April 5, 2003

News Article: Residents describe their visions for the city's future
April 4, 2003

News Article: Portsmouth Listens, air vision for the future of the city
March 30, 2003

News Article: Growth eyed for study circles on race
August 15, 2002

News Article: Study Circles: The truth is out there and it's complex
April 20, 2002

News Article: Smart Talk for Growing Communities
December 1, 2001

News Article: Mohr: Study Circles are unbroken 4 years later
June 21, 2001
A group that formed four years ago for constructive discussion in the midst of massive citizen protests over a proposed mail expansion is still quietly doing its work in town, currently seeking volunteers to discuss a proposed land-use plan for Guilderland's future.

News Article: Meeting of minds held at Madera Center
April 19, 2001
A diverse group of residents and dignitaries shared their thoughts on community pride and rejuvenation during a Community Action Forum held Tuesday at the Madera Community College Center.

News Article: You're invited: Action forum tomorrow evening
April 16, 2001
Every Maderan is invited to a unique experience tomorrow night, an opportunity to meet with your neighbors and listen to or participate in discussions that are critical to all of us. If I’m not there, you’ll have to check the hospital, jail, or morgue to find me because a simple case of meningitis or a compound fracture of the femur couldn’t keep me away. The event will be both the culmination of many months of preparation and the genesis of a new round of grassroots community action.