Using Groups for Sustained SupportAnn Browning

Why it got traction

Community defined need

Why it got traction

Community defined needLeadership

Why it got traction

Community defined needLeadershipGuiding principles

Guiding Principles

Community self determinationConnectivity through collaborationBias toward actionPrivate dollars leverage public fundsRespect for the land and respect for

the land owner

Story #1: Carl and the Farm Bureau

Why it got traction

Community defined needLeadershipGuiding principlesBig and bold

Why it got traction

Community defined needLeadershipGuiding principlesBig and boldClear model

Carolina Thread Trail Role

Vision

Expertise

Funding

Why it got traction

Community defined needLeadershipGuiding principlesBig and boldClear modelCommunity engagement

Carolina Thread Trail Volunteer Engagement

Governing Board• Capital Committee• Grants Committee

Leadership Council Regional Advisory Council Countywide Steering Committees Trail Masters Trailheads

• Completion of the North/South spine (The North/South Spine is a 140-mile, multi-county, cross-state segment of trail that connects Statesville, NC to Great Falls, SC and is anchored by the Cross-Charlotte Trail.)

• Completion of 5-mile contiguous segments in each county

• Completion of other "strategic segments" that connect key locations/jurisdictions

5 Year Goals

Middle Fork Greenway

• 6.5 miles linking Boone and Blowing Rock

• Connections to the Blue Ridge Parkway and MTS Trail

Progress:• Master Plan• 1 mile complete• 3 Pocket Parks (~10 acres)• 12 new acres will extend

the greenway nearly another mile

• Will soon be construction ready for next 2 phases of development

My Fantasy Greenway Org Chart

Chair*

Land AccessCommittee

Private Fund Raising

Committee

Public Funding/Government Relations

Committee

Communicationsand Outreach

Committee

*working in lock-step with highly supportive local government staff

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Su

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How greenways seem to happen

Connectors

Go Power

People/organizations with land and money

Suzie, Jim and Jane

Friend of the DOT Board Rep

Ch

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ead

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up

FR

OG

S

How greenways seem to happen

Hospital Board Member

Head Staffof Tourism Authority

Supporter ingated community

Politicallysavvy supporter

Friend of retiredbank executive

Town PlanningDirector

Land TrustEx. Director x 100

Presentationto TDA Board leads

to grant

Infrastructure project accommodates

greenway

Multiple meetings and discussions result

in easement

Developerbuilds greenway

connection

Hospitalmakes financial

contribution

Major giftsecured

Clean Watergrant secured to purchase land

Leadership groupworks with town council

to support bond referendum

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Relationship Check List

Assess your relationship with:

Local government elected officials and staff Tourism authority Businesses: tourism related, healthcare related

Story #2: Look what the Easter Bunny brought

Easter Weekend Benefit

Alpen Acres MotelDamon Anagnos, MD, Plastic SurgeryAppalachian Mountain BreweryBasil’s Fresh Pasta & DeliBlack Cat BurritoBlowing Rock AttractionBlowing Rock Brewing Co.Blowing Rock InnBlowing Rock MarketBoone DrugCarolina Mountain LodgeCheeseburgers GrilleChetola ResortComfort Suites of BooneDianne Davant InteriorsDoc’s Rocks Gem Mine Fairfield Inn & Suites of BooneFarm to FlameFoggy Rock Eatery & Pub

Jane FonvielleFootsloggersFoscoe Rentals/EchotaFrench-Swiss Ski CollegeGaines Kiker SilversmithGrandfather MountainGreen Park InnHemlock InnHighland Hills Motel & CabinsAdam E. Hill, DDS, PAThe Inn at Ragged GardensJenkins RentalsKilwin’s of Blowing RockLa Quinta Inn & Suites BooneLost Province Brewing CompanyMagic CyclesMakoto’s Japanese Steakhouse Meadowbrook InnMelanie’s Food Fantasy

Mellow Mushroom Boone & Blowing Rock

Mountainaire Inn & Log CabinsMystery HillThe New Public House & HotelNorwood’s Commercial AppliancesJim and Suzie ParnellPepper’s Restaurant & BarRay’s WeatherRecess Ridge ShopRed Onion CaféRoots RestaurantXan SandersJim & Suzanne ShautSleep Inn BooneStick Boy Bread CompanySunset Tee’s & HatterySuper Eight of BooneEthel & George Kennedy Fdn.The TApp RoomEd WInebarger

over $50,oo0!

Story #2: Look what the Easter Bunny brought

Relationship Check List

Assess your relationship with:

Local government elected officials and staff Tourism authority Businesses: tourism related, healthcare related State and federal elected officials COG, MPO/RPO Land Owners – public, businesses, developments,

individuals, utilities Local land trust Foundations and major donor prospects NCDOT

Section 1: Blowing Rock

Pedestrian Bridge on Blue Ridge Parkway Property

Design rendering

Aho Bridge Replacement Accommodates MFG

Original concept – very scary!

NCDOT agreed to build replacementbridge to accommodate MFGWe paid $160,000 for incremental cost

Story #3: How in-kind of you to help

Story #3: How in-kind of you to help

Engaging friends in attracting public funding

- Recreational forum for candidates- Recruiting leadership for partner organizations

(TDA’s, Chambers, Economic Development entities)

- Attending/speaking at public meetings- Contact elected officials- Ribbon cuttings and events – drive strong

media coverage- Input for grant applications- Collaborative advocacy for state funding – land

trust community model/piggyback- Regional advocacy in NC – “Western caucus”

Friends group mode

Why?

Friends group mode

Why do it?The stories we will tell..

Oh, the stories we’ll tell

Q and AFriends group mode

What approaches to engaging people have worked for you?

What relationships would you add to the check list?

Relationship Check List

Assess your relationship with:

Local government elected officials and staff Tourism authority Businesses: tourism related, healthcare related State and federal elected officials COG, MPO/RPO Land Owners – public, businesses, developments,

individuals, utilities Local land trust Foundations and major donor prospects NCDOT