So, how did we get here? The earliest phase of the Community Agenda began in 2004 during the strategic planning process of One Voice for Volusia, when the Coalition identified the need to connect existing coalitions, committees and initiatives in the area. After taking an inventory of approximately 26 area groups, a meeting was convened with key representatives to explore collaborative efforts. After several months of research through the work of an Ad Hoc Committee, a formal meeting was held in February 2005 attracting 75 community leaders. The outcome reached by consensus: to improve local health and human services through the creation of a Community Agenda.

Modeled after the highly reputable Quality-of-Life initiative implemented by the Jacksonville Community Council, Inc. (www.jcci.org) more than two decades ago, local efforts quickly progressed to specify the process for the Flagler and Volusia counties project.

Initial - Year One Steps:

1. Form a Steering Committee of local leaders from key community sectors to lead the project
2. Recruit volunteers from all community sectors to serve on five workgroups.
3. Each workgroup brainstorms and drafts a vision statement depicting the “ideal” portrait of life for residents in Flagler and Volusia counties.
4. Each workgroup identifies up to 10 key indicators after analyzing data. The collective recommended indicators serve as the benchmark in monitoring progress and tracking improvements and declines on an annual basis for the future.
5. Enhance awareness and receive additional community input through the facilitation of Town Hall meetings and presentations of the final recommended list of indicators.
6. Publish the first annual Community Agenda Snapshot report.

Annual Steps:

1. Maintain a Steering Committee of local leaders from key community sectors to lead the project.
2. Update data indicators and Community Agenda Snapshot report verbiage.
3. Research and gather additional data indicators identified in the first project year but not available at that time.
4. Present data to community organizations who are knowledgeable in each focus area.
5. Recruit volunteers to review drafts of the annual Community Agenda Snapshot.
6. Prepare draft report and submit for review by the Steering Committee and community representatives.
7. Publish the annual Community Agenda Snapshot report.