YLNI’s Project Oversight Makes Recommendations to Legacy Fort Wayne

Sunday, May 01, 2011

Earlier this year, the Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana (YLNI) began “Project Oversight” in order to help facilitate a better connection between community projects and the engagement of the YLNI demographic (individuals in their 20-30s). As part of this initiative, we promised to provide a report regarding the Legacy Fort Wayne process and encourage further engagement of our demographic.

Members of YLNI have participated in several groups making recommendations to the Legacy Task Force. They have participated in the community forums, attended task force meetings, provided online comments on Feedback Fort Wayne, and conducted Meetups.

The Legacy process is of tremendous significance to our community because it not only will decide the future of approximately $75 million of public funds, but it will also send a clear message regarding how this community views the young leaders demographic. By 2014 the Millennials and Gen Y will comprise more than half of the entire workforce. How our community responds and engages our demographic will significantly impact any legacy that we hope to accomplish.

The following recommendations are made to Legacy Fort Wayne following Project Oversight’s assessment of the Legacy process to date. First, YLNI has made only one group proposal to the task force. YLNI recommends the creation of a “young leaders’ fund” using 1% of the Legacy funds. YLNI’s full proposal can be downloaded here. The money will not only help fund projects and programs of the current generation of young leaders but also those in the future. Indeed, it will create a true legacy. Second, YLNI offers the following to the Legacy Task Force in an effort to help engage our demographic in a more substantive discussion on the proposals before the Task Force.

• Discussions with City officials on the best ways to engage the YLNI demographic for additional feedback on existing proposals
• An opportunity for YLNI to present to the Task Force
• Open invitations extended to the Mayor, staff and City Council to discuss potential uses of the funds at any time during this process
• Review of the Knight Foundation’s Soul of the Community survey discussing the community’s need to improve attachment of recent college graduates and young adults without children
• Review of YLNI’s 2020 Vision brochure

YLNI strives to attract, develop and retain the emerging leaders of Northeast Indiana through community, professional and social engagement. The Legacy process presents one of the most significant opportunities for our generation to make a long-term impact on our community. YLNI is prepared to embrace that opportunity!

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