Table Conversation: Keeping the 2012 Dialogue Going

Perhaps equally important as the solutions favored by the most participants in the Bicentennial Summit is the possibility of ongoing conversation about them. I think much of the energy that was in the room Tuesday night came from seeing so many people who cared about the same things and were willing to act on it. This civic spirit will be worth at least as much or more than the $1billion bond package that will vote on next November.

Continuing the conversation is the idea behind the 2012 wiki I created. I expect that before long that site will have additional recommendations from the Citizen's Grassroots Congress. (I hope to have more info on that soon). But I have one simple suggestion for continuing the dialog inspired by the table conversations at Summit.

At my house, when we are too tired or self-absorbed to start interesting dinner conversation, we pull out a pack of cards that have provocative questions on them. These always lead to some good dialog. Columbus can partner with local restaurants to do the same thing. The City can print provocative ideas collected from the Think Tanks and other sources and print them up into a set of cards. Call it "Columbus 2012 Conversations." Then restaurants can set these on their tables and if diners choose to, they can draw a card and discuss. Think of it, everyday there will be hundreds of conversations about the future of the City. Provide a web site or wiki so after those conversations, people can share ideas and network. (A wiki anybody?)

Participants at the Summit wanted Columbus to be an "active" city. What better way to fuel that activity? And think of the impression that will be left on visitors when they see Columbus so focused on self-improvement. We certainly will not look like a cow town.