“The Best Future is the one you make.”
These signs were posted on the internet and around the neighboring town of Amenia, NY.
We dropped by the Amenia Town Hall to observe The Comprehensive Plan Committee Community Engagement Workshop. We had no idea what to expect. The parking lot was full. Although I am retired from practicing, after decades of being an organizational consultant I remain sensitive to signs of conflict. Expecting to find the adversarial battles we had witnessed in this same room in the past, we went to the auditorium. It was empty! Instead. we found the gym packed with people looking at all sorts of maps and charts and filling out Post-It Notes on special boards. All sorts of people, discussing ideas and, above all, PARTICIPATING in updating the comprehensive plan for their town.
No conflict to be resolved. The energy was calm and productive.
