The public is encouraged to attend, as are the nearly 200 people that have participated in the Winnemucca Futures Project to date.  Refreshments and snacks will be available throughout the afternoon, and a light meal will be provided during the early evening.

During 2010 and 2011, the Humboldt Development Authority carried out an extensive community engagement, visioning, and strategic planning process, dubbed the Winnemucca Futures Project.  It is now our intention to host an annual forum to bring together community stakeholders from across the county and the region, to explore the progress we have made in creating a more sustainable future for ourselves and our children.

The Winnemucca Futures Forum  will explore the worldwide trends in economics, science, communications,  and culture that will impact our future.  Likewise, national trends in population growth, educational attainment, food production and consumption, global competitiveness and workforce skills, as well as regional trends in income, housing, and employment will also be explored.

The Futures Forum is intended to provide an annual opportunity for members of our regional community to get together to think deeply about the future as it will unfold over the next few decades and to ensure that we have taken a serious look at how the prosperity of our own area may either benefit or suffer from these changes, so that we can begin to build a consensus based response.

The afternoon will start with a presentation and Q&A with Steve Hill, Nevada’s new Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.  We hope to learn more about how rural Nevada communities fit into the just released state economic development plan titled “Moving Nevada Forward: A Plan For Excellence in Economic Development”.

A panel discussion about how Nevada’s rural communities and rural businesses add to a healthy state will then take place with a panel of well known experts from across the state.  This panel discussion and a question and answer period with the audience will help us determine how to best tell our stories among urban legislators and city dwellers in Nevada.

The local teams that have been working on building community capacity, developing a more collaborative culture, planning for long term infrastructure needs, and working to develop a more diversified employment base in the community will look back at the challenges they have met and the successes they have achieved.

David Beurle and Juliet Fox, the facilitators for the Winnemucca Futures Project, will be on hand to discuss the findings of the community wide network mapping survey carried out as a part of the initial project work and discuss how we can use this information to further our work.

Finally, we will look back to the findings of the community attributes survey carried out in 2010 and explore whether or not we are making progress in changing the both the reality and the perceptions of how Winnemucca, Humboldt County, and the region, are preparing themselves to adapt to change and proactively shape their own futures.

For planning purposes we ask that you let organizers know you are planning to attend.  You can RSVP by contacting the Humboldt Development Authority at 775.623.1064 or send your intentions by email to winnemuccafutures@gmail.com.

The topics of discussion included how to increase local enthusiasm for bicycling among all age groups, the challenges faced by bicyclists travelling through or around Winnemucca, and road signage that could improve and encourage bicycle traffic around town or along the highways.

The statewide Bicycle Plan is an initiative of the Nevada Department of Transportation to improve safety and access for bicyclists touring across Nevada’s highways.  Currently, the project is in its planning phase, focusing on policies, legislation and infrastructure that increase safe bicycling throughout rural communities.

To assist the Statewide Bicycle Plan in its current stage, project organizers request that you take a quick survey about bicycling and your community, found at:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NevadaStateWideBicyclePlan

The local planning teams are organized by Connect Nevada, a non-profit that is working to accelerate the availability and use of technology throughout the state to create a better business environment, more effective community and economic development, improved healthcare, enhanced education, and more efficient government.

Lindsey Niedzielski, program coordinator for Connect Nevada, presented to the Humboldt Development Authority (HDA) board at its meeting Tuesday. She was on hand to help local leaders begin the process of forming a regional planning team for Humboldt County. The team will eventually be responsible for decisions about how to increase broadband use among all area homes and businesses.

“High-speed Internet enables access to quality jobs, information, and vital services ranging from interactive telemedicine to higher education,” says Niedzielski. “Connect Nevada, with the support of the Nevada Broadband Task Force, is undertaking the important work of grassroots regional planning to grow and expand technology use in our communities. We are thrilled that Humboldt County leaders are working with us.”

Connect Nevada in collaboration with the Governor’s Broadband Task Force is working with broadband providers and other public and private partners to speed up the expansion of broadband in unserved and underserved areas. The organization is pinpointing remaining gaps in Nevada’s broadband availability and supporting the development of a statewide plan for the deployment and adoption of technology.

According to Connect Nevada’s latest broadband availability research from the Nevada Broadband: Preliminary Overview of Broadband Infrastructure & Adoption in Nevada report:

• Approximately 22%, or one-fifth, of households in Nevada have broadband available, but for various reasons do not subscribe. Connect Nevada is working to raise the awareness of broadband’s benefits so that more residents will get online

• In Humboldt County, 95% of households have access to the minimum 768 Kbps download speed service, while 53% of Humboldt County has 3 Mbps download speed service available

Humboldt County has approximately 5,733 households and relies heavily on fixed wireless and mobile broadband services with significantly less cable and DSL services available. There is currently no fiber service available. This puts the county slightly below the state average in broadband availability.

• Percentage of Humboldt County households served by broadband technology platform:
o Cable – 63.69%
o DSL – 62.69%
o Fiber – 0%
o Fixed Wireless – 86.6%
o Mobile Wireless – 97.51%

Community involvement is key to expanding broadband and the Connect Nevada program has several ways for people to get involved. The Connect Nevada website offers several free tools to the public to improve their Internet connection. At www.connectnv.org, users can check their current Internet speeds and request broadband service in their area. Nevada’s broadband map is also available. The map is fully interactive and allows visitors to find information about broadband providers, types of services available, and search for service at their specific address.

The local planning committee is being initially headed by County Commissioner and HDA Board Member Mike Bell, along with HDA Coordinator Bill Sims. For more information on the local implications of this project or how to get involved, contact the HDA at 775-623-1064.

Also, if you have suggestions regarding how technology in your community can be improved to better serve the citizens of your county, Connect Nevada wants to hear from you. To learn more or to submit your comments or ideas, please visit the Connect Nevada website at www.connectnv.org or contact Niedzielski at (775) 343-9600 or lniedzielski@connectnv.org

About Connect Nevada: The Governor’s Office and the Nevada Broadband Task Force are leading the initiative to increase broadband Internet access and information about availability throughout Nevada and to ensure sustainability. Connect Nevada is a non-profit organization that was commissioned by the state to work with all Nevada broadband providers to create detailed maps of broadband coverage in order to accurately pinpoint remaining gaps in broadband availability as well as to coordinate efforts with other Federal grant award recipients in the state. Connect Nevada is now supporting the development of a statewide plan for the deployment and adoption of broadband. The goal is to spread high-speed Internet across the state and make sure all Nevada residents have access to its life-changing benefits. For more information visit: www.connectnv.org.

The main purpose of the joint meeting was for members of the subcommittees to give each other updates on their respective goals and progress.  Each group was assigned a specific focus relating to future scenario planning in the community following the Project seminar that was held last June, and have met routinely since.

Anyone is welcome to join a subcommittee and provide input on how they view change and development in Winnemucca and Humboldt County over the coming years.

Mayor Di An Putnam, who heads the Collaborative Cultures subcommittee, which focuses on community engagement, gave an overview of her team’s plans and achievements.  Those included progress towards creating a Winnemucca Futures Project logo, scheduling another community wide meeting for February 2012, greater use of the winnemucca.com online calendar and representing the Winnemucca Futures Project at the next Fourth of July fireworks display.

The Community Capacity subcommittee works to bring leadership skills to the community, and is led by Carrie Stringham.  Stringham discussed various leadership courses that were in the pipeline to be brought to the community, including NexLevel business training and a variation of the ‘Courageous Leadership’ course used by Barrick Gold Corporation.

The Building the Foundation subcommittee, led by Brad Schultz and attended by City Manager Steve West, meets to focus on critical infrastructure initiatives needed in the future.  Schultz explained that the subcommittee had recently been discussing legislative developments relating to improving broadband communications in the county, development possibilities at the Airport Industrial Park, and futures upgrades that would eventually have to be made to local sewer and water systems.

Finally, Justin Johnston, a new member of the Economic Diversification subcommittee reviewed the research the group had been doing regarding potential uses of geothermal sites not suitable for power production.  Additionally, Pat Gray explained that the group had been in communication with Carry-On Trailer about their goals and potential expansion plans and the desire to attract more light to medium manufacturing to the area.

More information about the Winnemucca Futures Project’s subcommittees can be gained by calling the Humboldt Development Authority at 775-623-1064, or emailing winnemuccafutures@gmail.com. A recently published hard copy report of the project’s work to date can also be picked up at City Hall on 90 West Fourth Street.

Our Shared Vision

The vision for Humboldt County is captured in the ‘Shared Abundance’ scenario for the future. While mining, agriculture, and tourism are still the important backbones of the economy, they are now part of a diverse economy that is complemented by other industries such as specialist manufacturing, value added resources, logistic services, and renewable energy. This diversification has reduced exposure to the ‘boom and bust’ nature of commodity cycles. The region has become known for its ability to apply creative entrepreneurial solutions and capitalizes on challenges and new opportunities.

Winnemucca and surrounding areas have pulled together in a cohesive way to create a vibrant and responsive regional community. A diversified economy has allowed for greater community prosperity, and has reduced the gap between the rich and poor. There is an expanded sense of community and Winnemucca has transitioned into a cooperative adaptable community that is shaping its own future. It is an inviting community that has high levels of active participation, good community infrastructure and a healthy culture and spirit. This makes the community attractive to young people and professionals who see a future for themselves in Humboldt County.

Surveys completed during the Winnemucca Futures Project have revealed a very strong consensus across the county that the Humboldt County 2030 Shared Abundance Vision for the Future accurately describes our shared aspirations.

Focus Areas:

The many participants at the “From Vision to Action” events agreed that in order to reach this future there are four strategic areas of focus that we must continue to nurture and develop:

Community Capacity

Build the leadership and education systems that stimulate new thinking and create opportunities.

Building the Foundation

Identify and invest in critical infrastructure foundations for future community and economic growth.

Collaborative Culture

Create an engaged and collaborative community culture that focuses on a shared vision.

Economic Diversification

Explore and develop innovative economic systems to capitalize on local strengths and embrace emerging industries.

-The Teams-

At the “From Vision to Action” event, groups of interested Humboldt County residents began a deep exploration of these areas while committing themselves to develop pathways to these goals.

Community Capacity Team

Will work on:

• Education strategies and resources
• Leadership development and youth integration
• Future leadership is matched to and has capacity to fulfill the vision
• Entrepreneurs trained in business literacy
• Develop education / promote/ stay strong / compete globally
• Outside experts to explore future trends
• Capacity building to develop a large number of potential leaders for the many organizations that address issues across the community
• Deliberate transition to new leaders
• Transparency / volunteerism
• Diversified education and vocational training

Building the Foundation Team

Will work on:

• Communication Infrastructure
• Downtown as an identifiable focal point of the Winnemucca Community
• Development of infrastructure along West and East Winnemucca Blvd.
• Resource Development – Funding Source Exploration
• Engaging private industry as partners in attaining goals
• Recreational area development
• Where resources come from to create actions and shared responsibility – match needs with actions
• Infrastructure such as technology and broadband
• Community Center

Collaborative Culture Team

Will work on:

• Communication Infrastructure
• Engaging private industry as partners in attaining goals
• Communication in community: town hall meetings
• Culture of being open-minded and accepting new ideas
• Keep an eye on the horizon
• Communicate the vision in the most appropriate way to different stakeholder groups
• Engage youth and welcome newcomers
• Bring together existing groups around the vision
• Directory of Organizations – Centralized point of communication

Economic Diversification Team

Will work on:

• Targeted economic diversification
• An economy that is robust and can withstand shocks
• The continued collaborative development of an economic development plan
• Assessment of attributes and matching needs with actions
• Creating steady, continuous growth
• Entrepreneurs trained in business literacy
• Continue to develop and deploy innovative incentives
• Focus on services, retail and industry support – retain what is strong in our community
• Developing geological attributes
• Employ outside experts to explore future trends – develop ongoing “Forums of Future”

These teams identified other individuals, groups, and resources who need to be at the table.  You may be called upon, and we hope you will contribute to these efforts.

If you have an interest in any of these areas of focus, or have ideas about how we might strengthen our communities, please contact one of the people listed above.  Get engaged and get involved, it is Your Home, Your Choice, and Your Future!

You can also contact us at winnemuccafutures@gmail.com or leave your name and a comment below.

When: Tuesday September 28^th AND Wednesday September 29^th

Where: Winnemucca Convention Center – West Hall

Time: Doors open at 5:00pm for sign-in and refreshments – event starts at 5:30 SHARP

The public is  urged to attend the “From Vision to Action” sessions being held as part of the Winnemucca Futures Project on Tuesday September 28^th and Wednesday September 29^th. This two-evening event is part of a long-term planning process hosted by the Humboldt Development Authority and is the community’s opportunity to contribute and take action in key community focus areas.

By attending these events, participants will:

• Have an opportunity to be a part of creating the future by personally identifying and developing key focus areas for action.
• Review the preferred scenario of the Humboldt County community and choose strategic actions for implementation.
• Link the above work to the needs of the community.

These sessions will be facilitated by David Beurle and Juliet Fox from Innovative Leadership (innovativeleadershipusa.com). This internationally-famous community and economic development duo have devoted themselves to working with rural communities across Australia, North America and Ireland with the aim to help communities use their own creativity, assets and energy to build prosperous futures.  These events are the next step in the Winnemucca Futures Project, which is designed to proactively promote the public interest by encouraging community collaboration and sustainable development through cooperative action.

An important feature of this process is that it aims to allow widespread engagement across the community and the opportunity for everyone to be part of identifying and developing action plans toward a preferred vision of the future. Understanding Humboldt County’s preferred vision for the future helps guide decision makers and leaders, along with community groups, schools and service clubs, to plan for the future.  This assists in aligning each organization’s actions with the community’s vision for the future.

This process has gathered community input in order to develop a shared plan for community and economic development.  Now we are moving From Vision to Action!

We have put together the scenarios, and we are now engaging people all across the county to get their input and to help Winnemucca and Humboldt County find a common vision of the future.

If you would like to get in on the conversation, and have a group of 12 or more of people that we might meet with, we would be happy to find a suitable time and place to host a conversation with you about our common future.  Depending on the time you have available, we will be happy to play The Futures Game with you, have a conversation about the future, and get your input on the kind of place you want to leave to your children.  Please contact us at winnemuccafutures@gmail.com or contact Bill Sims at (775) 623-1064 for more information.

Participate Now

If you would like to participate now, you can watch these video’s and then fill out the survey below. The videos will take about 15 minutes and the survey 5 to 15 minutes depending on your desire to make ‘comments’. Half of an hour is not too much time to donate to the future of your community, is it?

Visit the
Winnemucca Futures
Presentation on YouTube
be sure to watch them in order.
Start with #1.

After you watch the Videos please take the survey found here on Survey Monkey.

Wednesday, September 22 OR Thursday, September 23

Winnemucca Convention Center – West Hall
Doors open at 5:00 for sign-in and refreshments
Event starts at 5:30 SHARP

Please join us for a Winnemucca Futures Project “Showcase Event” hosted by the Humboldt Development Authority on September 22 or 23.

FREE Evening packed with ideas, information and an opportunity to contribute to the future of Humboldt County.

• Play the ‘Futures Game’
• Review and Explore Winnemucca’s future scenarios, local implications and opportunities
• An opportunity to be part of creating our future!
• Free beverages and snacks

What is the Futures Game?

The Futures Game is a ‘stand-alone’ workshop tool that has been designed to help groups explore how regional and local decisions can shape long-term economic, environmental, and community well-being. This “futures simulation” approach can be used in a range of ways including:

• Engage communities and groups in discussions about the future
• Add extra depth and strength to regional planning efforts
• Help hone leadership and decision-making skills
• As a team building and change-management tool

The game can be used as a powerful tool to stimulate debate and discussion about the future.

How The Futures Game works

Each team starts with a base map depicting a hypothetical region including small towns, a variety of land uses and ownership, and a mix of landscapes and businesses. At each of five stages (for example 2010, 2012, 2015, 2020 and 2030), teams are presented with a particular situation and asked to choose between two critical decisions.

They are also given a set of important national and international events to consider as they make their choice. After each stage, teams receive a new map depicting the impact of their decision on regional land use, town population and services, local businesses and the economy. By the game’s end point in 2030, each team has charted a course for the future reflecting the decisions they’ve made in the game.

The game takes a multifaceted and integrated view of the future, allowing people to explore a range of plausible outcomes. By the end, it’s clear to everyone that choices about people and place can have significant and sometimes unexpected long-term consequences on the region and its communities.

What people gain from playing The Futures Game

Communities and organizations can use the game’s future simulation approach to achieve several powerful outcomes. The most obvious is that people have a chance to discuss growth and development in a hypothetical region, making it easier to explore alternatives than is often the case in real world settings. They learn how decisions that seem sensible in the short-term may play out in unpredictable ways over time, making it critical to shift course to reflect new priorities and values.

Many communities use the game to assess where they are today relative to where they’d like to be 20 years in the future. In this way, it can be a powerful way for community members to consider their own vision and desires for the future of their region and community, and begin to explore the action steps required to get to their preferred future.

On an individual and organizational level, The Futures Game can be an excellent tool for people to explore decision making, and to better understand their own leadership and decision making styles.

Participants each night first played the ‘Futures Game’which introduced them to the concept of scenario planning. This process lets small groups of people assume the role of community leaders in a fictional region of Western Australia, and asks them to make a series of decisions over the next 30 years. After each decision is made, groups learned of the consequences of those decisions, as they worked their way to seven different plausible future situations.

The goal of The Futures Game is to provide an enjoyable but challenging way to get people to think about how local decisions can have significant and sometimes unexpected consequences. Guided by David Beurle and Juliet Fox of Innovative Leadership, Inc., participants explored how regional and local decisions can shape long-term economic, environmental and community well-being through this futures simulation approach.

Winnemucca Future’s Scenarios

Following this exercise, the Humboldt County scenarios, developed by local participants at the June 2 and 3 workshops, were introduced to the audience.  At heart of these scenario’s are the spaces created on the following chart formed by the intersection of two axes.  One axis describes the economy in terms of it’s economic resilience and diversity while the other axis addresses the community’s adaptability and responsiveness to changes, challenges, and opportunities.  The four spaces created by the intersection of these axes were each given a name by the participants at the scenario planning workshops.

The small groups then each had a conversation about how Humboldt County and Winnemucca might prosper under each of the scenario’s.  Participants were asked to imagine how the economic, social, and environmental qualities of the region might look in twenty to thirty years if these various scenarios were played out.  After much discussion the entire group had a conversation about how these futures might play out.

Finally all of the participants were asked to provide their input and opinions on the future of the Humboldt County area through a survey that was handed out and collected at the end of the meetings.

If you would like to get in on the conversation, and have a group of 12 or more of people that we might meet with,  we would be happy to find a suitable time and  place to host a conversation with you about our common future.  Depending on the time you have available, we will be happy to play the futures game with you, have a conversation about the future, and get your input on the kind of place you want to leave to your children.

Please contact us at winnemuccafutures@gmail.com or contact Bill Sims at (775) 623-1064 for more information.

Let it Ride

The scenario ‘space’ for Let it Ride sees the Winnemucca area as a region that has declining economic resilience and diversity, but where community adaptability and responsiveness are increased. The scenario envisages a future with a strong and active community but an economy that is fully exposed to the commodity roller coaster of booms and busts.

The Let it Ride scenario sees a future with strengths and weaknesses. The local economy is still largely exposed to the boom and bust cycle of commodities. Most major employment is with large multinational companies that control the mineral assets on the surrounding landscape. Jobs come and go as mining activity follows the commodity prices fluctuations up and down. There are some lucrative shifts in the type of minerals being mined – with gold being complemented by rare mineral mines and ongoing exploration. The open and remote landscape becomes increasing appealing to new ventures such as landfill sites and opportunistic businesses such as quasi-military training. However, there is ongoing local tension about these land uses as a small local group of long term residents fight to protect the environment and landscape from over-development and exploitation.

The Winnemucca community has continued to build a strong core of active long-term local residents. Through their efforts, they have seen much community improvement with good quality amenities and services – it is a great town to live in and people are proud of what they have accomplished together. However – they continue to struggle with a large transient population that comes and goes with the mining cycle. This continues to frustrate the local leaders and places extra demands and difficulties on building an enduring and sustainable community base. But, through tenacity and strong will, community leaders continue to see their community grow and develop.

Shared Abundance

The scenario ‘space’ for Shared Abundance sees the Winnemucca area as a region that has a diverse economy that capitalizes on challenges and new opportunities, and where there is a highly responsive and adaptable community that is shaping its own future. This scenario envisages a vibrant future with a strong capacity for sustainable growth and community development.

The Shared Abundance scenario sees a bright future for the region. The local economy has made an important shift away from over-dependence on mining. While mining is still an important backbone of the economy, this is now complemented by other industries and businesses involved in renewable energy, specialist manufacturing, value adding local resources and services. This diversification has reduced the exposure to the cyclical ‘boom and bust’ nature of commodity mining. The region has become known for its ability to apply creative solutions and is now regarded as a location for innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.

The Winnemucca community has been able to pull together in a cohesive way and shape a shared future. The new dimensions to the economy have allowed for greater prosperity across the community, and has reduced the gap between the ‘haves and have nots’. The community enables new and aspiring business owners and business ideas – leading to a vibrant small business sector. There is an expanded sense of community, and in many ways Winnemucca has made the transition to be a ‘can-do’ community with high levels of active participation, good community infrastructure and a healthy culture and spirit. This makes it attractive to young people, who can see a future for themselves in the community, and also draws in professionals from elsewhere who appreciate the heart of the community and the lifestyle opportunities it affords.

The Wild Wild West

The scenario ‘space’ for The Wild Wild West sees the Winnemucca area as a region that has a diverse economy that capitalizes on challenges and new opportunities, but where there is a fragmented and disorganized community that fails to respond to changing events. This scenario envisages a future that is characterized by economic opportunism and an ‘every man for himself’ culture. Money is made and lost, and there are winners and losers.

The Wild Wild West scenario sees a problematic future for the region. The local economy is characterized by opportunistic investment and exploitative behavior. Because the areas has some unique resources, including mineral wealth and its remote location, it is becomes attractive as a location for businesses that are not welcomed elsewhere. Toxic industries and low cost industries begin to replace the more traditional mining investments, at the expense of the environment as pollution and health concerns are not properly addressed. The lack of a united community vision means ‘undesirable’ businesses are able to establish with little or no opposition. However, there is an up side – this broad economic activity means there is a strong local economy and profits to be made. People who control resources of land and water can make a lot of money by selling these to hungry businesses. There is a cycle of business owners who come, make their money, and leave.  Businesses succeed and fail on their own merits.

The Winnemucca community is fragmented and disorganized. Various committed people and groups try to rally the community around important issues and events; but repeatedly fail to gather any real momentum or interest. There is a lack of any clear vision or direction and thinking is characterized by short term ‘what’s in it for me’ perspectives. As a result, community resources are squandered on self-interests, and the social and physical infrastructure begins to decline. The quality of life, once a high value in the community, is eroded and further perpetuates the cycle of decline. Their outside impression is of Winnemucca as an ugly and slightly scary community. However, there is still a small group of committed locals in the Chamber of Commerce who continue to fight for a better future – but they become increasingly marginalized in the acrimonious public debate and decision making.

Failure to Respond – Oops!

The scenario ‘space’ for Failure to Respond – Oops! envisages the Winnemucca area as a region that has failed to diversify its economy and now rides the boom and bust commodity cycle, and where there is a fragmented and disorganized community that fails to respond to changing events. This scenario envisages a future that is characterized by economic uncertainty and volatility and where the community if disengaged and lost the capacity to shape its own future. It lurches from setback to windfall to setback, all the time hoping someone will come and do something to save them.

The Failure to Respond – Oops! scenario sees a difficult future for the region. The local economy is still dominated by mining, but more of the critical mining services are now supplied from Reno and Elko, as Winnemucca has become less attractive for the workforce, and as the mining sector moves to more automation and remote operations. Because no effort has been made to develop or diversify the local economy, this leads to a long-term gradual decline in the local economic health, and even when the commodity boom cycle comes around, it seems not to have the impact it used to. The community is still suffering from the upheaval that occurs with each in-migration and out-migration of workers and families as the employment levels change in the mines. Local businesses begin to close and fail as the local prosperity fads; this leads to empty storefronts and vacant housing and commercial property that can find no buyer.

The community has lost its way. It can see things are not going well; people are a bit bewildered and wonder ‘what happened’. There is a hope that the good old days will return; or that the next mining boom will see the town flourish again; but increasingly Winnemucca is a just another faded blur to the traffic as it barrels down the interstate between Elko and Reno. There is a dramatic decline in young families and students at the school, and an escalation of the social problems and behavior as Winnemucca increasingly becomes the community of last resort to low-income people and drifters.

Tuesday July 20th OR Wednesday July 21

Winnemucca Convention Center – West Hall
Doors open at 5:00 for sign-in and refreshments
Event starts at 5:30 SHARP

Please join us for a Winnemucca Futures Project “Showcase Event” hosted by the Humboldt Development Authority on July 20 and 21.

FREE Evening packed with ideas, information and an opportunity to contribute to the future of Humboldt County.

• Play the ‘Futures Game’
• Review and Explore Winnemucca’s future scenarios, local implications and opportunities
• Hear inspiring case studies of rural communities and the key lessons of success
• An opportunity to be part of creating our future!
• Free beverages and snacks

INTERNATIONAL SPEAKERS

David Beurle and Juliet Fox are an internationally-famous community and economic development duo who will facilitate the evening program. Together they have devoted themselves to working with rural communities across Australia and the North America, with the aim to help communities use their own creativity, assets and energy to build strong vibrant and prosperous futures.

Their passion is empowering people, government and agriculture in rural communities and arming them with robust sustained planning efforts. Both Beurle and Fox have extensive experience in various aspects of economic and community development and have served in local, State and federal governmental positions. Their work has been recognized internationally and won numerous awards.

What is The Futures Game?

The Futures Game is a ‘stand-alone’ workshop tool that has been designed to help groups explore how regional and local decisions can shape long-term economic, environmental, and community well-being. This “futures simulation” approach can be used in a range of ways including:

• Engage communities and groups in discussions about the future
• Add extra depth and strength to regional planning efforts
• Help hone leadership and decision-making skills
• As a team building and change-management tool

The game can be used as a powerful tool to stimulate debate and discussion about the future.

How The Futures Game works

Each team starts with a base map depicting a hypothetical region including small towns, a variety of land uses and ownership, and a mix of landscapes and businesses. At each of five stages (for example 2010, 2012, 2015, 2020 and 2030), teams are presented with a particular situation and asked to choose between two critical decisions.

They are also given a set of important national and international events to consider as they make their choice. After each stage, teams receive a new map depicting the impact of their decision on regional land use, town population and services, local businesses and the economy. By the game’s end point in 2030, each team has charted a course for the future reflecting the decisions they’ve made in the game.

The game takes a multifaceted and integrated view of the future, allowing people to explore a range of plausible outcomes. By the end, it’s clear to everyone that choices about people and place can have significant and sometimes unexpected long-term consequences on the region and its communities.

What people gain from playing The Futures Game

Communities and organizations can use the game’s future simulation approach to achieve several powerful outcomes. The most obvious is that people have a chance to discuss growth and development in a hypothetical region, making it easier to explore alternatives than is often the case in real world settings. They learn how decisions that seem sensible in the short-term may play out in unpredictable ways over time, making it critical to shift course to reflect new priorities and values.

Many communities use the game to assess where they are today relative to where they’d like to be 20 years in the future. In this way, it can be a powerful way for community members to consider their own vision and desires for the future of their region and community, and begin to explore the action steps required to get to their preferred future.

On an individual and organizational level, The Futures Game can be an excellent tool for people to explore decision making, and to better understand their own leadership and decision making styles.