Public invited to strategic planning workshops

The city of Birmingham is having a series of strategic planning workshops to help with its vision, planning and goal setting and they are inviting the community to attend.

The strategic planning workshops are scheduled for August 24, September 14 and September 27 at 6 p.m. at the Baldwin Public Library, located at 300 West Merrill Street.

Strategic planning determines where an organization is going, and how it will get there. Following a process that will comprehensively and equitably evaluate the city and the community, the resulting plan will include short- and long-term strategic goals and objectives with measurable performance indicators. The plan, expected to be complete this fall, will direct the city’s efforts and resources toward a clearly defined vision for its future.

Following a request for qualifications (RFQ) process earlier this year, the city commission selected Dr. Lewis G. Bender for strategic planning services. Dr. Bender has decades of experience working with municipalities in Michigan, Illinois and others to create strategic plans.

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“The center of this process is the view that effective strategic planning involves ongoing communication between and among elected and appointed municipal leaders toward shared goals,” stated Bender in his RFQ proposal. “Strategic plans must be short working documents that are flexible to changes (challenges and opportunities) and used as part of the normal discussions between elected and appointed leaders.”

“The goal of this process is to give direction to the city manager and the city commission over the coming years,” said assistant to the city manager Melissa Fairbairn. “As short- and long-term projects are considered, city leaders will ensure they align with the vision and goals established within the strategic plan.”

Upcoming strategic planning workshops are scheduled as follows:

City Commission Visioning Workshop: Wednesday, August 24, 6 p.m. in the Jeanne Lloyd Room at Baldwin Public Library (2nd floor). The mayor will call for a short public comment period at the end of this workshop to ensure the city commission has as much time as possible throughout the workshop to learn, explore, discuss and hear community input as well.

Community Participation Workshop: Wednesday, September 14, 6 p.m. in the Rotary & Donor Rooms at Baldwin Library (lower level). Members of the community are encouraged to share feedback with the city commission throughout this entire workshop. Commissioners hope to gain community input related to challenges, opportunities and achievable goals.

City Commission “Putting it Together” Meeting: Tuesday, September 27, 6 p.m. in the Jeanne Lloyd Room at the Baldwin Library (2nd floor). The mayor will call for a short public comment period at the end of this workshop to ensure the city commission has as much time as possible throughout the workshop to learn, explore, discuss and hear community input as well.