VISION, action and accountability were key concepts in a series of meetings in Tamworth this week that centred on how to make the city a better place for everyone.
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People involved in the 10X Tamworth project – from businesses, non-profits groups, local government and private individuals – met from Tuesday to Thursday in the pavilion at No 1 Oval.
The talks were facilitated by Tamworth- and US-based communication and leadership development experts, Deb Maes and Gene Early respectively, with the aim of creating big, collaborative change.
More than 20 people will now go back to their circles of influence to get the ball rolling, and will meet again twice in the next two months to keep the momentum high.
10X Tamworth aims to bring together people passionate about the city to develop a vision for it and work towards that by pooling their skills and resources.
Mrs Maes said the first task was for the group to become “really connected and create a spirit of collaboration”.
“One of the things that a participant said was, ‘I have worked with many of you in the room for decades, and this is the first time we have ever had this quality of conversation’. That’s pretty awesome,” she said.
The group members developed their vision for Tamworth using their own terms, but along the lines of the city becoming a place where everyone felt included, heard and respected.
One participant, Stephanie Cameron from EastWest Enviroag, said a few people had shared stories of the disconnection and disadvantage they wanted to see overcome.
“When you’re a Tamworthian, you have a real connection to it – and to hear that some people are doing it tough out there and not being heard … it was enlightening and very emotional,” she said.
The next step was for each participant to commit to their own strategy – steps they could take straight away with their vision in mind.
The final key was the group finding ways to keep each other accountable.
Mrs Cameron said she had decided to investigate helping people find out about events and thereby helping them feel more part of the community.
She said this information popped up on various websites, apps, publications and Facebook pages, but it needed to be pooled.
10X Tamworth was not just for businesspeople, management and politicians – Mrs Cameron said it was for anyone “if you love Tamworth and you’re proud of what we do”.
Carolyn Millet
Based at The Northern Daily Leader, Tamworth, and Namoi Valley Independent, Gunnedah. Covering general news and features on community, council, arts, business, health, education, entertainment and rural matters.
Based at The Northern Daily Leader, Tamworth, and Namoi Valley Independent, Gunnedah. Covering general news and features on community, council, arts, business, health, education, entertainment and rural matters.
