Notes From the STILL Gathering

Noah, Alan, and I (Tyson) attended the first Strong Towns Illinois (STILL) gathering in Chicago on the weekend of September 27th. Representatives from several Local Conversations across Illinois came together to connect on a variety of topics. Here is what I took away from the experience.

Observations and Tips

• Perspective we should take towards are cities: We are not customers of our places. We are co-owners.* Remember when you’re talking about Strong Towns concepts that you’re on page 100 of a book that many people are on page 1 of. Speak to them where they are to understand them better, then see if there are thoughts to offer which you’ve learned from Strong Towns that might be of interest to them. * There’s an urban design mini-course on Strong Towns that would be good to take a look at sometime. There’s also a course on on leading a Local Conversation that the exec committee could go through. They are free if you contact Strong Towns; the charge is just for if someone needs continuing education credit.

• A podcast is a good way to invite people to talk about their talents and responsibilities. Asking people about themselves usually leads to good conversation.

• Advocacy in Chicago seems more similar to advocacy at the state level. Raising awareness, especially at council meetings, is a big part of the process. Council members are more likely to ignore you if you reach out directly. Techniques they described for doing this seem like last resorts for Bloomington, or even things that could be counterproductive. For example, wearing coordinating clothes and coming in large groups to council meetings. 

Ideas for what we could do at Strong Towns Blono

• Strong Towns Batavia’s Ward Walk: Start at a random park and try to get to ice cream. Reflect on the experience of walking in that place.
• “What’s going on with the city” topic in membership meetings.
• Walking tour/walking audit (notes below)
• Group bus ride to help people understand the bus system better.* Being welcoming: reduce jargon, greet people in meetings, do social activities so everything is not always so heavy.

Topics to cover in a walking tour

• Challenges (“Do you feel respected as a pedestrian?”)
• Work that has been done in the place
• Transportation observations
• Ask how many homes are in buildings you see (Answer: You can’t tell and it doesn’t matter)
• What do you notice? How do you feel?
• Stories from someone who knows the history of the area