Democracy in Action. PPAG up & Running!
On Tuesday July 23, Steve Coe, Community Access’ CEO, opened our organizations’ first community-wide Participant Planning Advisory Group (PPAG) meeting. Steve introduced himself, then welcomed all of the elected tenant and program-participant representatives, and senior staff.
Over the last few months participants and tenants held democratic elections, with speeches, to choose three representatives per location (one official representative and two delegates) to be on the PPAG committee. Some locations held patriotic-themed parties to celebrate.
The meeting started with a lot of positive comments about the hopes for what will come of the meetings. The executive team stressed early on that structure for the meeting was up to representatives to decide, as this was their group.
Steve discussed his expectations for the PPAG. He envisions that this body would review Community Access' direction, initiatives, even budget.
Mark Jennings, CA’s Deputy Director of Housing, adeptly facilitated this large group (50 plus people) of strong-minded leaders. Mark mixed in humor and kept the group focused on the agenda.
Participants became a little fiery as the meeting pushed into its third hour. But could we expect any less from a group of leaders with a lot to say? One participant stated “We gotta grow. This company gotta grow. It ain’t gonna grow if we fall apart!”
Steve decided that all staff were to leave the room, and they all did.
Within a half hour the group of participants determined who would attend the next meeting and how those meetings would be facilitated.
For some, the last half hour was troubling. They felt the meeting got out of control when the staff left. But this body is meant to be the voice of the participants. And this group needs to coalesce. That can only happen if they come together on their own.
Despite the fiery nature of the first meeting with elected members, the goal of the PPAG was met. Participants and tenants began to determine how meetings will be run, and how to prioritize concerns, like any other advisory group.
The PPAG will be a valuable asset to Community Access by providing feedback on what is happening in our buildings and programs. The PPAG will also help its members to exercise and improve their leadership skills, that is to shine in their own lives.
