Chattanooga: We Couldn’t Have Done It Without You
07.20.2009 // by: Sarah
As Chattanooga Stand gears up for another huge weekend, the fellows at CreateHere would like to extend our appreciation to those citizens that have taken the time to share their thoughts and opinions about the future of this beautiful region.
Stand expects to reach 10,000 completed surveys this weekend and we are firmly aware that this success has been made possible by the willingness of people from all walks of life to engage in community dialogue. Chattanooga’s unique history of civic engagement and community visioning has shown that the voice of any thoughtful citizen can make a positive difference in this city, and it is Stand’s mission to continue the envisioning of a constantly improving Chattanooga.
So if you’ve completed one of those yellow surveys, THANK YOU! And if you haven’t, please think about the issues that are important to you, and let us know by answering four simple questions. We want to hear as many voices as possible for our collective future, so please, please take a Stand for Chattanooga!
Hope to see you this weekend at Nightfall, Movies in the Park, or the Chattanooga Market.
Stand @ the Chattanooga Market: Why We Do What We Do
07.13.2009 // by: Sarah
It was a rainy, humid Sunday at the Chattanooga Market for fellows of CreateHere and Chattanooga Stand.
The less than perfect weather conditions didn’t stifle turnout to the weekly event, and citizens were eager to answer four important questions for the future of our fair city. After a huge night at Movies in the Park—where Stand volunteers collected over 500 surveys—most of the Stand team was taking a much deserved respite on Sunday afternoon. But still, three volunteers were able to gather over 130 Stand surveys at the Market.
More important than the number haul, however, were the quality of the responses. Most of the time spent canvasing involved meaningful conversations regarding the directions Chattanooga will take in coming years, and the quality of the varying dialogues was consistently insightful, thoughtful, and sincere. The principle of Stand—the ideal behind this community visioning effort—is to first facilitate conversation and then establish a platform to empower and motivate people to be active in making Chattanooga continually better.
The Chattanooga Market was a success for the conversations it inspired, and Stand is looking forward to more next Sunday. Catch us there, and keep on keepin’ on…
Stand Up. Speak Up. Rock Out.
07.03.2009 // by: Alison
Hey there, music fans. Stand has a little something just for you next week. On Tuesday, July 7, we’re painting the town yellow.
Stand invites you to take over Dollar Beer Night at JJ’s Bohemia for a free rock and roll pow-wow focused on Chattanooga’s future. The fridges will be stocked with cold beer, the stage packed with great music, and Stand volunteers and field organizers will be on-hand to find out what Chattanooga’s music fans care about.
The night begins at 8 pm with local garage doo-wop three-piece Mocknbird, followed by Atlanta space rockers This Piano Plays Itself and Miami powerpop from Ex-Norwegian. Throughout the evening, there will breaks for discussion, surveying and prizes.
“This is a chance to reach a very specific, savvy and often critical group of Chattanoogans with a lot of great ideas that are rarely heard,” says Thomas Perry, Stand volunteer. “We’re very proud of the music community in Chattanooga and would like it to get bigger and better in the coming years.”
Come out to JJ’s for free music, cheap beer and thoughtful dialogue. For more information on the show, check out JJ’s website.
Score a Goal with CFC for Chattanooga’s Future
07.01.2009 // by: Alison
Stand invites you to spend a few hours this Saturday at Finley Stadium celebrating the last home game of Chattanooga Football Club’s superb opening season. As the soccer team takes on Birmingham’s Pumas, we’ll be passing out four-question surveys and drawing names from those who complete them for soccer-themed prizes. Stand will also take the field at half-time with CFC players and fans for a variety of visioning festivities.
CFC, a dark horse contender for the National Premier Soccer League’s (NPSL) national tournament, began as an idea hatched between two friends, and in one year has already achieved the highest fan turnout in the country for the entire league. For a new team in its inaugural season, this is a huge feat made possible by the excitement and support of our great city. It is, therefore, a perfect occasion to consider what else can be accomplished when residents collaborate around an idea.
Many of the CFC players are highly involved in their communities as young professionals and local emerging leaders. Defender Joshua Scott, forward Omar Cooke, and midfielders Jake Warren, Ivan and Aldo Heredia and Sasha Viatrov all work to empower urban youth through Chattanooga Sports Ministries, a local soccer organization. Forward Sheldon Grizzle is the director of SpringBoard, CreateHere’s small business resource program, while midfielder Fynn Glover is a field organizer for Stand.
“Because soccer brings together such a diverse array of Chattanoogans,” says Glover, “the Football Club becomes a fun and lighthearted platform to have a good time while engaging in a dialogue about our many hopes and concerns for the future of the region.”
From the Stand surveys that are filled out at Finley on Saturday we’ll be drawing names for CFC apparel and 2010 season passes. Join your local soccer team this weekend in sharing your vision for our future.