If you are a neighborhood leader, you need to be at the Summit. If you live in a neighborhood and want to be involved, you need to be at the Summit. If you think you might want to be involved, you need to be at the Summit.
 

City of Garland Press Release:

Great Neighborhoods: 2009 Summit Goal

Great neighborhoods are no accident. When communities recognize the power of engagement fueled by capacity building and committed leadership, something wonderful happens on the block, in the neighborhood and across the city. We invite you to be an active participant in the continued growth and vitality of Garland by attending the annual Neighborhood Summit. This year’s theme is “Great Neighborhoods: From Concept to Reality”.
 
The 2009 Summit is set for Saturday, October 24 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Atrium at the Granville Arts Center in Downtown Garland, 300 N. Fifth Street. Registration for Garland residents and stakeholders is $15. For those not related to Garland, the cost is $25.
 
The keynote speaker is Robert Miller, Director of the Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program. He will discuss the keys to creating great neighborhoods. The scheduled workshops Building a Sustainable Organization, Developing Effective Partnerships, Developing a Resident Driven Neighborhood Action Plan, and Understanding the Concept of Community Leadership will provide important tools, information, and models to lead participants down a path of building and sustaining a great neighborhood.
 
The event will also feature information about the Envision Garland comprehensive plan project and the opportunity to explore the Office of Neighborhood Vitality’s Social Capital Library.
 
The 2009 Neighborhood Summit is sponsored by the City of Garland, the Garland Chamber of Commerce, Garland Housing Finance Corporation and Garland Power & Light.
 
For more information or to register, call 972-205-3864 or e-mail fconner@ci.garland.tx.us.
 

 
Basically, you can trust a bunch of politicians, professional staffers, and those already involved in their neighborhoods and the city to make all the decisions on the future of the city and what is best for your neighborhood, or you can get involved and have a voice.
 
Maybe it's time to get in the game. I hope to see you at the Summit!