Jackson, Tenn. – In partnership with Change.org, the world’s leading platform for social change, the City of Jackson is piloting a new initiative called Civic Dialogues through which we will identify creative, community-driven solutions to local challenges.
From July 20 until August 16, all residents of Jackson will have the opportunity to share their ideas for positive change in Jackson and respond to their neighbors’ suggestions at the Ideas for Change website. Shortly afterward, Change.org will identify the submitted topics that resonate most with all participants and assemble a group of residents from across the city for a dialogue to develop them into actionable proposals.
Through online forums and virtual dialogues, Ideas for Change hopes to identify what matters most to residents and points of consensus, which serve as critical information that policymakers can use to drive real change. The mayor has committed to reviewing the proposals that emerge from this process to see how the city might support them.
"The best ideas for Jackson’s future don't originate inside City Hall—they come from the front porches, local businesses, and neighborhoods of our residents," said Mayor Scott Conger. "Our partnership with Change.org on the Civic Dialogues initiative is an incredible opportunity to turn everyday community conversations into actionable policy. I look forward to reviewing the proposals that emerge from these virtual dialogues to see how the City can bring them to life. I urge everyone to log on, share their vision, and help us build community-driven solutions together."
Duncan Lockard, General Manager of Ideas for Change at Change.org, emphasized the importance of constructive dialogue in this process. He notes: “Change.org will host an online space where residents can not only share their own ideas on what would be good for the city, but support and build on others’ ideas as well. Our process engages a wide net of community members and builds consensus around practical policy solutions. We are excited to engage residents of Jackson and bring their ideas to city leadership.”
You can visit the website and offer your ideas today, or vote on the ideas that have already been proposed by Jackson residents: by selecting the “Ideas for Change” button at connect.jacksontn.gov or directly at ideasforchange.org/jackson.