KATAHDIN REGION, MAINE — Phase II of a 12-month regional visioning process, called “Katahdin Gazetteer: a roadmap to the future” is underway.
Phase II includes engaging six local ambassadors from the Katahdin region who will be tasked with helping the community understand what Katahdin Gazetteer is, why it matters, and how they can get involved.
Local ambassadors will receive training and support from several groups working with the Katahdin Gazetteer process, including the nine member steering committee and the consultants Adam Burk and Co. to gain facilitation skills and experience working with groups.
There is a unique opportunity for a member from each community to get involved with the Katahdin Gazetteer and become a local ambassador. Selection is expected to begin immediately and hiring will include a modest stipend for each ambassador.
The visioning process launched in January, 2018, is a 12-month process that includes personal interviews, community events, surveys, and workshop sessions throughout the Katahdin region.
Phase I of the Katahdin Gazetteer successfully concluded in February and involved designing the process, collecting benchmark information, branding the project and introducing the concept to the community at a series of public events. Benchmark information is being compiled for presentation to the community in the Spring. Input gathered during various events will be worked into an action plan for local implementation across the region. The final regional Katahdin Gazetteer plan will be ready for distribution in the winter of 2019.
The Katahdin Gazetteer is an initiative of the Katahdin Collaborative, a regional platform for municipalities, dozens of community groups, businesses, clubs and organizations known collectively as the Katahdin Collaborative.
“The Katahdin Gazetteer is off to a great start,” said Lucy Van Hook, Our Katahdin community development director. “We are very excited about bringing six local ambassadors on board to help reach out to community members in all seven towns along the scenic byway and the neighboring towns and territories to make this vision as strong as it can be.”
All six ambassadors and three youth ambassadors will have local support from Our Katahdin.
“It’s a fantastic way for people who are passionate about this region to actively get involved with shaping a vision for its future,” continued Van Hook.
For more information, please reach out to Jasmine Folster, project coordinator at KatahdinGazetteer@gmail.com.
