Grand Vision: Unprecedented Strategic Partnerships

Quality Place Means Regional Cooperation Teamed with Local Action

Marsha Smith is wearing several work hats these days.

The longtime executive director of Rotary Charities, is also serving as chair of The Grand Vision’s CORE (Communications, Organization, Resource Development and Education & Events) working group.

The unique working collaboration was formed last year when Charities’ board agreed to support implementation of The Grand Vision by approving a time-share relationship with it and resolution of commitment.

Charities Trustee Dr. Don Fraser, board president at the time, recalls some insightful dialogue from his board in arriving at that consensus decision. “There was a lot of thoughtful discussion around the table,” recalls Fraser. “But in sum, we realized that our vision of leading positive change in the region by assisting community organizations and facilitating strategic partnerships also applied to, and even mirrored, the Grand Vision initiative.” The Grand Vision is a 50-year visioning plan for Northwest Lower Michigan, drafted with input from over 15,000 of its residents, and designed to grow its economy while protecting physical and natural assets, and ensuring that children and families have equal access to opportunity.

Its core is a practical blueprint for public and private investment and a conduit for direct citizen involvement. It’s a transformational strategy that energizes the region’s existing economic, environmental and social initiatives, integrating them into a far-reaching vision. While the Grand Vision has already succeeded in reaching a broad consensus and galvanizing public support, its ability to realize its promise depends on whether community leaders can turn the plan into reality.

Grand Vision (GV) strategy recognizes that the natural assets characterizing its six counties (Grand Traverse, Antrim, Benzie, Kalkaska, Leelanau and Wexford), form a foundational “quality of place.” Within that foundation, participants in the GV defined six key priorities, which are outlined on the chart below:

Learn more about how this transformational strategy is a catalyst for tangible, meaningful local change throughout the region: