Press Release

Hart-The community of Hart has a proud heritage stretching back over a century. Although great sacrifices and work went into the first 100-plus years of town life, now a new vision is needed that can build unity and inspire bold investment in Hart's future. It is essential that the vision created is one that is owned by Hart residents, and one that will create positive energy and sustain commitment, despite obstacles or setbacks. As 2007 begins, a local planning team is encouraging people to participate in a Community Futures Forum for Hart on Wednesday, January 24th from 6:30-8:30pm at the Hart School Cafeteria.

The Forum offers an opportunity for all citizens to reflect on and answer the following questions: What assets or gifts does Hart already have that could be built upon for Hart to become a stronger, more vibrant community? What dreams do we have for Hart, TX? What would we like Hart to look like in 15-20 years? At the Forum, people will gather together and identify the most important needs or priorities for the community of Hart. Each person will have a voice in this 2-hour meeting, and the process insures that all input is listened to and respected in a positive manner. Participants will work in groups of 8-10 where each person can identify 5 top priorities or needs for Hart. Next, using 10 dots, each person will prioritize the ideas that they feel are most important. Next, the group determines its top five priorities based on the highest number of dots. During a refreshment break, the planning team will tape the posters from all small groups up on the wall of the Cafeteria. After a time of explanation, every person is given another 10 large dots to "prioritize" the ideas harvested from the entire meeting. This process creates a large number of new ideas and a great deal of energy. Furthermore, people can write their name on a large dot and place it on a priority area that they would volunteer to work on…thereby creating a list of people ready to work on action plans after the Forum. This process has been used successfully by numerous groups, including the Texas Cooperative Extension Service.

Over the coming days, bridges will be built and invitations extended throughout the Hart community. The ideas and the hopes that emerge from the Forum will not lie dormant on a shelf somewhere. Hart will have the opportunity to join the Red River Regional Cluster, an alliance of 6 other small Texas communities that are committed to sustaining their futures by rebuilding their capacities in leadership, small business incubation, youth engagement, and charitable assets. The first training/learning day for the Red River Cluster will be in Crowell, TX on Wednesday, Feb. 7th. For more information about the Forum or the Cluster, please contact Sue Hawkins at City Hall. The Forum Planning Team consists of Fr. Lupe Mayorga, Don Sanders, Aurelia Perez, Neoma Williams, Joe Franco, Matt Baird, and Vicky Chavez, assisted by facilitators Fr. Ken Keller, Darryl Birkenfeld, and Remelle Farrar.