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big. small. all. in the news. Current press releases and other items about "big. small. all." that have made the news. For Immediate Release: 21 September 2005 "big.small.all." Launches to Crowd of Community Members and Leaders. Champaign, Il -- "big. small. all" launched today at a press conference held at Illinois Terminal. A host of local leaders - from Chancellor Richard Herman to County Board Chair Barbara Wysocki -- spoke of the importance of uniting the county's many different interest groups to come up with shared goals. Wysocki talked about the importance of the "big. small. all." initiative: "What we are really going to be answering by going through this visioning process is "What will Champaign County be like 30 years from now?" And, right now, no one can say for sure. But we do know that it will depend, in part, on individual and collective decisions we make now." "I am fortunate enough to work at one of the great learning institutions in the country, so my goals are clear - to see that the University of Illinois maintains it's academic prowess, " added Herman, "but with those specific goals come a great amount of respect for and responsibility toward maintaining growth in the communities that surround the University. [The University] should have a voice in whatever goals we set for our future. Still, in this process, the University's voice is no more powerful than anyone else's. And that's why it will work. This visioning process is about connecting people who might not be connected; about taking each idea -- big or small -- and making sure that it has a chance at coming to fruition." "big. small. all" is a project to build a vision of our future, initiated by citizens and leaders of Champaign County. Everyone who learns, lives or works in Champaign County is invited to attend one of eight public meetings in November to share their idea -- big or small. These public meetings will be held throughout the county in November and will bring citizens and leaders together to create shared goals for all aspects of our community's life. Every voice -- on every topic: the economy, environment, development, housing, transportation, education, recreation, and social issues, or anything Champaign County residents think we need here. At these meetings, small groups of participants will be asked for ideas for the future of the area. All ideas will be placed in a database and used to write goals and policies for Champaign County's future. The success of these meetings depends on widespread participation by all those interested in the future of their community. Keep an eye on the media and the website (www.bigsmallall.cc) for more information on the process and upcoming public meetings. ### For Immediate Release: 15 September 2005 "big.small.all." Press Conference at Illinois Terminal. Herman, Wysocki to Speak. Champaign, IL -- "big. small. all." -- a countywide visioning process -- will launch next week at a press conference held at Illinois Terminal, downtown Champaign. Speakers will include University Chancellor Richard Herman, Champaign County Board Chair Barbara Wysocki and 40 North's Jennifer Armstrong. "big. small. all." is a project to bring all the people of Champaign County together to build a vision of our future. The project was initiated by Champaign County citizens and leaders from business, non-profit organizations and government. Everyone who lives, works, or learns in Champaign County is encouraged to participate in the visioning process beginning with the first round of public meetings to be held throughout the county in November. At those meetings citizens will share their dreams, plans and ideas for the future -- big or small. These public meetings will bring citizens from all walks of life together to begin a year-long process to create shared goals for all aspects of our community's life and a plan of action to achieve them. "We are at a turning point in Champaign County," said Barbara Wysocki, Champaign County Board Chair, "a number of different entities are talking about collaboration and growth. Chancellor Herman and President White talk of strengthening the links between the University and our community. The farm community is pursuing new initiatives and partnerships to strengthen our farm economy. Our downtowns -- both Urbana and Champaign -- are experiencing a renaissance. And many smaller communities are working to encourage and shape growth for their areas -- so this is the perfect time to begin developing some common goals." At the November public meetings, known as the Countywide Community Dialogues, small groups of participants will be asked for ideas to make Champaign County the best that it can be in the coming years. All ideas will be placed in a database and serve as the foundation of the vision. Over the next year, the Countywide Community Dialogues will be followed by other public workshops and meetings to write goals and strategies for the future of Champaign County, to create a plan for achieving those goals, and to identify the community's priorities. The success of the entire visioning process depends on widespread participation by all those interested in the future of their community. Keep an eye on the media and the website (www.bigsmallall.cc) or call Frank DiNovo at 217.328.3313 for more information on the process and upcoming public meetings. ### |
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