This presentation describes the happenings over the 2 1/2 day period, including the methods, how participants worked together to understand what they are proud of in the Holland/Zeeland community and common ground.

1. FUTURE SEARCH PROCESS
FOCUS ON FOCUS ON FUTURE COMMITMENT
PAST PRESENT SCENARIOS TO ACTION
COMMON
GROUND
MIND-MAP
EXTERNAL
REALITIES H/Z
GOVERNANCE
IN 2035
TIMELINES
KEY EVENTS IDENTIFY ACTION
MAJOR AREAS
TRENDS
COMMON
GROUND
THEMES
DAY 1
PROUDS &
SORRIES
DAY 2 DAY 2/3 DAY 3

2. Focus on the PAST
pre 1970-2000 Participants moved
about the room and
populated 4 timelines
over 20feet in length,
displaying key events
from four perspectives.
Each group then
synthesized the input
and told the story of our
community!

3. Focus on the PAST
Community Stories
PERSONAL Community stories
Heritage, family, faith, entrepreneurship, from the timelines,
reflected four
baby boomers moving in, changing
perspectives:
demographics, uptick in prosperity in 90’s
Personal
followed by decline and loss of jobs. Global
Community
GLOBAL Governance
Round world to flat, now global centric, massive
pace of change, knowledge constantly doubles,
wars, natural disasters, social unrest, recessions, fight for natural
resources...out of disruption comes opportunity.
Innovation is the theme of our reaction to adversity.

4. Focus on the PAST
Community Stories, continued
COMMUNITY
Settlement of H/Z, demographic shift from settlers to other migrants,
economic changes, philanthropy, social service, faith, strong work
ethic, education, healthcare, governments changing, city annexation,
quality of life.
GOVERNANCE
Little structural change in local governance since origins, governance
challenged by community growth, opportunities and needs, Holland
not immune to global turmoil, need for cooperation across
government units, MACC and WMEAC, connected global market
requires us to change.

5. Focus on PRESENT:
The group generated a
Major Trends VERY large mind map
describing close to 100
external realities/trends
shaping H/Z governance
in these areas:
‣economic
‣social
‣environmental
‣technical
Every participant then
engaged in a multi-
voting exercise
documenting major
trends having the most
significant impact on
Holland/Zeeland
governance

6. Evaluating the Mind-Map to identify and
connect major trends

12. Major Trends
• Less $ for government/higher costs/higher expectations.
• Rate of change accelerating/global competition for
economic vitality.
• Demographic shift.
• Increased # of people in poverty.
• Baby boomers driving aging population.
• Education gap.
• Building inclusive communities.

13. Prouds and Sorries Each stakeholder group
was asked to discuss how
major trends affect what
they do.
Stakeholder groups were
then asked to present
what they have done that
they are most proud of,
and most sorry about?
Group presentations were
brutally honest and began
laying the groundwork for
what was to come

19. Prouds and Sorries
‣partnerships ‣jobs have left Michigan
‣safe communities ‣young people are leaving
‣framework for ‣complexity of gov’t A sample of the output
collaboration ‣divisiveness from all groups. Prouds
‣people taking risks, ‣slow movement on big and Sorries enable each
thinking outside the box issues stakeholder group to
‣public/private ‣not focused on future acknowledge and take
partnerships ‣have not embraced responsibility for their
‣leadership support diversity actions
‣LGChem ‣economic segregation in
‣Macatawa Greenway community
‣MACC ‣water sharing agreement
‣quality of life ‣Cleanliness of Lake Mac

20. Desired Future Scenarios -
The year is 2035
• This was a time for mixed groups to reflect on
their desired futures and dream about what
Holland/Zeeland governance could look like in
the year 2035.
• Creative presentations allowed for group fun, but
everyone took the task seriously, describing
bold, innovative ideas and an inspiring new
future for our area....

26. Finding Common Ground
The large group challenge was to listen
carefully and find the common ground
across all of the thought-provoking future
scenarios.

27. Common Ground Themes
Equity, Values, Fairness
Common Ground is the Regional Governance
starting point from which
diverse stakeholders come
Common Master Plan
together and agree on Status Quo is Unsustainable
shared action areas.
Public Safety
Optimal Health
World Class Education
Diversity
Jobs
Shared Values

28. Very Special Thanks
to Haworth for. .
• Underwriting the Future Search conference
• Providing an inspiring environment, with
welcoming spaces and energizing natural
light everywhere
• Friendly, efficient staff
• Lending us Virginia Conklin
• Your ongoing support of the Model
Community Initiatives and the Holland /
Zeeland community

29. Stay informed, get involved!
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30. Together we can create
a bold new future