Green Light!

Long, busy day Wednesday.

Still wrestling with how this initiative might happen here.

Made a lot of phone calls. Spoke with Larry Duthie, Publisher of the Walla Walla Union Bulletin, who apologetically chewed on me a bit for apparently replicating what he understood Riding The Wave is already doing. I explained that the issue was not quite as simple as that. We've been talking with Riding The Wave principals since our earliest inquiries, and remain in touch.

Larry was concerned with exactly what we have been concerned about. That this Port-sponsored initiative not replicate, complicate, or fragment what Riding The Wave is already doing. Amen. This is an opportunity that, if properly positioned and well-managed, might amplify what RTW and others are already doing and aspiring to do. That's what we're aiming for!

Larry confided that UB Editor Rick Doyle had something that sounds like this initiative on his special projects list, so I emailed him about that. (He replied early this morning to say that he thought his idea was a little different, but that he'd passed my inquiry on to his business reporters.)

Riding The Wave's new board was meeting while I chatted with Larry, and later, Cathy Schaeffer, Watershed Planning Director for Walla Walla County's Watershed Planning Department and principal with the Riding The Wave group, called to explain that Riding The Wave's Board was, as we'd heard Tuesday, still forming and not yet constituted to get actively involved with this initiative, though individuals would certainly want to be involved. After a healthy and lengthy cross examination, where we heard ourselves starting to speak more clearly about what this initiative might be, Cathy agreed to carry a message back to RTW's Board, asking for their sanction and support. We want any question, like Larry's, to be easily resolved. "RTW is behind this 100%." We hope to be able to say that following their next meeting, next Wednesday.

I spoke with Rev. Doug Barram, who had just returned from a Commitment To Community Board meeting, where, surprise-surprise, the Port's CI Initiative was discussed. Doug, who describes himself as "an on the street" kind of guy, suggested I speak with someone more policy-minded on the CTC board. I connected with Liz McDevitt - Executive Director of the United Way in Walla Walla. She explained that at the prior CTC meeting, concerns were raised about the inclusiveness of the CI Initiative, and CTC had been preparing to complain. But after Tuesday's meeting, which Liz attended, it appeared that the process would include others besides just the economic indicator-interested. Liz says that the United Way will be very active in identifying indicators.

(Teri Barila, another RTW principal and CTC board member, returned my call just now and told her take on the story. She counsels that we carefully position this initiative so that the public understands we are not stealing RTW's ground.)

Late morning, Dr. Jones from EWU sent an email, suggesting his team visit next Thursday. I fussed about this request for a couple of hours, not feeling ready yet. I finally called Jim Kuntz, who is out of town, explained the situation and asked if he would be free Thursday. He agreed to Amy and I coordinating the EWU visit as an extension of our charter, so I started calling people who might be interested in visiting with this group. (Send me a note if you'd like to be involved.) They'll arrive at 10:30, meet at one in the Port's small conference room, and are agreeable to staying through the dinner hour.

Spent time on the phone with Randal Son of Many Waters , who might know more about community indicators than anyone else in the valley. We discussed existing networks and how those might be invited into indicator discussions.

I spoke with Jeffrey Townsend of Fancy Logo about the color palatte for the cloned website.

Also sent a note to Robert Rittenhouse of Walla Walla 2020 , inviting them into the conversation.

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Okay, the initiative is coming into focus. Our sense that this would have to be broadly community-based has been validated. (I know we haven't finished our conversations yet. If we haven't spoken with YOU, and we should, contact us.) RTW can't convene the groups for the indicator conversations. This initiative will seek broad participation. We want every organization's seal of approval! We can get the process in place with the speculation that a local steward will emerge, as will the funding to support that stewardship.

Today, we will finalize our detailed proposal for how True North might add real value to this initiative. I'd better get working on that.