I sit on the steering committee for The Tomorrow Plan and I’m not an expert in sustainability. In fact, when I was asked to sit on the committee I couldn’t even define what sustainability means. I still can’t define it, and neither can most people.
So how is it that The Tomorrow Plan is now such a strong topic of interest to me? I care about making the best possible future for Greater Des Moines. Wow, talk about sounding cliché!
But it is true.
And whether you like it or not you are part of Greater Des Moines’ Tomorrow Plan also. Everything you do everyday effects the future planning of the region you live in. Where you live, where you work, and where you play are all intertwined and are impacting how Greater Des Moines will be 30 years from now.
You grow up with this mindset that you can focus on one thing at a time and make everything perfect. What I’m now learning is not only is that not possible, but that you have to take a step back and look at it from a much more encompassing level. You forget that while air quality might be the most important thing to you 30 years from now, you are going to have to give up something in several other areas to achieve that. The same goes for the person who wants to focus on public transportation.
It’s an endless give and take cycle. When it comes to a city of 1 million people, you are going to get 1 million different tomorrow plans. I’ve learned that The Tomorrow Plan is not going to be a binder dropped on a desk next year that has all the answers in it. However, it is going to give us a much clearer understanding as to what future impact plans we make today will have.
Shortly, The Tomorrow Plan will be releasing an interactive scenario planning game. The game will give you a chance to explore this give and take firsthand, and to see how different planning alternatives impact what is most important to you.
On April 19th you’ll have the chance to test the model and make your feedback heard at a Tomorrow Plan event tailored to young professionals with the help of the new Young Professionals Advisory Committee. Just a shameless plug until we have more details. 🙂
I’ve learned so much over the past six months and am excited to learn so much more. I don’t want to share what I’ve learned with you and I don’t think I can. Learn it for yourself because what you say today is going to affect your tomorrow. Silence is not always golden.
Jason Wells is a project/account manager at Trilix Group and has been involved with the Young Professionals Connection (YPC) since 2008. Jason served as the 2011 president for YPC and now sits on the YPIowa board while also representing young professionals on The Tomorrow Plan steering committee.
I am very interested in this but was wondering if you have an OPC (old professionals committee). I have been a buuyer for over 35 years and have promoted Buy into the Circle for local businesses. I truly believe that it would be beneficial to both me and you committee.
There are many local businesses that would be willing to assist or donate to this cause. My connections are numerous and even my own employer is involved with HABITAT for Humanity and we would help tear down or build if we can sell them on the comittees project.
As the saying goes…”I got people who have people”!
I would love to know more about this committee if you are interested.
Thank you,
Cindy
Steering committee should tell you people everything. They are steering you in the direction of Agenda 21. The plan of the United Nations. They are taking over every aspect of our lives. We can do what is needed to sustain this earth without our lands being taken away from us and being told how to live and breath or even if you plan on having us breath. This isnt good this is bad but made to sound all wonderful. Check into it. The Republican Committee on Jan 16, 2012 declare the U.N. Plan Agenda 21 to be insidious and must be stopped! If it sounds too good people then it probably is. At least look into it.