December 2012 ENGAGE Wrap-Up

This week's ENGAGE breakfast explored new and innovative models for philanthropy in Central Texas. Blogger and author Thom Singer (ESSENTIAL 2008) was there and shared his thoughts on his blog Some Assembly Required. Here's a snippet:

Arguably, Austin has more charitable organizations per capita than any other city. Our entrepreneurial culture lends itself to a variety of philanthropic start-ups appearing each year. But with so many choices, how do people know where to give? (and are many simply repeating the infrastructure and not maximizing the impact they can have on the greater good?) The trick is to get the human capital involved and connect the smart people to the smart ideas. The issue is not about more charities, but instead it is unleashing a culture that allow the most effective to thrive.

"Venture Philanthropy" is a new concept, and Austin is well positioned to become the center of "Social Innovation". Each panelist shared exciting ideas and their success leads the way for a better future for giving.

Read the full post

Below is the full podcast of the event, along with links to media coverage and resources from the discussion.

Left to right: panelists Dennis Cavner, Laurie Loew, and Nichole Aston
with moderator Robert Maxwell. Photo by Peter McCrady.

Audio Podcast

Download this audio file (MP3)

Subscribe to the Leadership Austin Podcast via iTunes

Media Coverage

• Read a recap from Community Impact News

List of Resources

• Give Realty
• Innovation +
• Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
• KXAN - New Effort to "Keep Austin Generous"

Our next ENGAGE breakfast will be Tuesday, January 15 when we will take a look at job creation in Austin. Click here for more details and ticket information.

We hope to see you there!

November 2012 ENGAGE Wrap-up

Earlier this week we held the second in our 2012-13 series of ENGAGE breakfasts at the Long Center. This month focused on Central Texas' growing veteran population and how our community is supporting these men and women as they return to civilian life. Panelists included Allen Bergeron (City of Austin Veterans Consultant), Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Kopser (United States Army and Chair and Professor of Military Science at The University of Texas at Austin), Steven Pullin (military veteran and advocate for the Heart of Texas Healthcare Network), and Texas State Senator Leticia Van de Putte (Chair of the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations). The discussion was moderated by KXAN News Anchor Shannon Wolfson.

November 2012 ENGAGE in the Long Center Kodosky Lounge

Below is the full podcast of the event, along with links to media coverage and resources from the discussion.

Download this audio file (MP3)

Subscribe to the Leadership Austin Podcast via iTunes

Media Coverage

• Read a recap from Community Impact News

List of Resources

• White House Business Council's Guide to Hiring Veterans
• Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System
• New SE Austin VA Clinic Nearing Completion
• Texas Veterans Land Board
• Texas Veterans Commission Employer Services
• Texas Veterans Commission Entrepreneur Program
• TVC Fund for Veterans' Assistance

Our next ENGAGE breakfast will be Tuesday, December 4 when we will explore new and innovative models for philanthropy. Click here for more details and ticket information.

We hope to see you there!

October 2012 ENGAGE - Politics from City to Nation

This morning was the first ENGAGE breakfast of the 2012-13 series, and we gathered on the Dell Hall Stage at the Long Center for the Performing Arts to discuss the upcoming election and its impact on Central Texas.

UPDATE I: Read a recap of the event from Community Impact News
UPDATE II: Watch KXAN's recap and coverage of the breakfast

October 2012 ENGAGE on stage at the Long Center

This breakfast was also a KXAN Town Hall, which was streamed live online and which will be broadcast on the KXAN network beginning at 7:00 pm Friday, October 19. We'll be updating this post with recaps and media coverage as it becomes available, but in the meantime we have the full audio podcast of the event below:

Download this audio file (MP3)

Subscribe to the Leadership Austin Podcast via iTunes

Don't forget! Election Day is November 6 and early voting in Travis County begins October 22. Take a look at the City of Austin's Charter Propositions page or the Austin League of Women Voters' ballot guide for a primer on the wide range of initiatives this election is covering.

Many thanks to our panel, moderators, sponsors and partners for a great event and what is sure to be another important and informative ENGAGE Breakfast Series. Join us for our next breakfast Wednesday, November 14 as we discuss Central Texas's growing veteran population and how our region is supporting them and their families.

We hope to see you there!

October 2012 ENGAGE Panelists and Moderators

• Mike Clark-Madison - Vice President of Public Policy and Research, Hahn, Texas
• Sheryl Cole - Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem, City of Austin
• Betty Dunkerley - Former Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem, City of Austin
• Regina Lawrence - Director, The Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life
• Terry Mitchell - President, Momark Development
• Tom Pauken - Commissioner Representing Employers, Texas Workforce Commission
• Ross Ramsey - Executive Director, The Texas Tribune
• Jason Stanford - Founder and CEO, Stanford Campaigns
• Moderated by KXAN-TV Anchors Robert Hadlock and Leslie Rhode

New Editorial Series with CultureMap Austin

Leadership Austin is partnering with CultureMap Austin on a series of editorial columns meant to inform Austinites about the upcoming City of Austin proposition elections, to be held November 6.

First up is a column by Mike Clark-Madison on single member districts. Head over to CultureMap to read the full post. Mike Clark-Madison is a faculty member for Leadership Austin programs and will be a panelist at the October 10 ENGAGE Breakfast Town Hall event with KXAN News.

Single member districts: Will Austin vote for representation the seventh time around?

NOTE: The opinions of Leadership Austin alumni and faculty members are their own, and do not represent an official position of the organization.

In this Contentious Political Season, I Miss Molly Ivins

Guest post by ESSENTIAL Class of 2006 alum Elaine Acker.
-----

I believe that ignorance is the root of all evil. And that no one knows the truth. -Molly Ivins

This political season would have been much more entertaining and thought-provoking if Ms. Molly Ivins were still among us to kick the proverbial anthill. No doubt, she would have dragged us kicking and screaming away from our tunnel-vision assumptions and shined a spotlight on the truth about this year’s issues and candidates.

And I would have appreciated that immensely, because this year - perhaps more than ever - we’re seeing extreme viewpoints, intolerance, and radical attack ads that make me want to mute the television and retire from Facebook until sometime well after Tuesday, November 6th.

It occurred to me today that the tone of this political season is almost the exact opposite of the things I value most from my experiences in Leadership Austin’s ESSENTIAL Class back in 2005-06. There, we learned that whatever our political views, we all had more in common than we first imagined. There, we learned that even the “privileged kids” battled personal demons and difficult childhoods. There, we learned to listen, understand, and work together.

That’s what I’m guessing everyone really wants: to be heard and understood.

Maybe - just maybe - we’ll discover common ground during the upcoming ENGAGE Breakfast Series. Maybe, when we gather at the Long Center, we’ll all come with an open mind. We’ll listen to the facts, and carefully consider each other's points of view. We’ll keep in mind that even when we have differing opinions about how to tackle any given issue – from healthcare, to education, to support for our veterans - the bottom line is that in our hearts, we all want what’s best for our community, our state, and our nation.

The ENGAGE series kicks off with a political bang on October 10. Not only will the featured speakers dive into the hottest political debates of the season, they’ll look at exactly what the national policies mean for life here in Austin.

These ENGAGE speakers are awesome, and I value their opinions. But still, I’d give anything if Molly Ivins were here to lighten the moment. I could use a laugh.

G. Elaine Acker is CEO of RealSparx, a marketing consulting firm that works with small businesses and nonprofits to create marketing solutions that work in the real world.

-----
All opinions expressed on this blog are those of the individual writers and do not represent the views of Leadership Austin.

Sunday morning at KXAN

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to be a featured guest on KXAN News Today with Brian Sanders. Brian kindly invited me to come on his show to discuss all of the exciting program launches at Leadership Austin this fall. An alumnus of our Experience Austin program, Brian has seen first-hand what the program can do to help orient newcomers and longtime Austinites to the hot issues in our community. Keeping up with what is most timely and relevant can be a challenge for anyone, but as it’s their job in the news industry I'm grateful that Experience Austin was beneficial to Brian and the other KXAN anchors and staffers who have come through the program for that very reason.

I’ve done television interviews before, but this was the first time it was LIVE, which made a difference in my approach and also in the nervous factor! I'm grateful to our marketing consultants at RealSparx and board member Jenna Oltersdorf from Snackbox who gave me some super media training on the fly.

Watch the video on the KXAN website

I knew that “staying on message"  would be important - and also challenging - since there's so much happening at Leadership Austin this fall and so many of our programs are rolling out over the course of the next four weeks. But the one consistent message that runs throughout everything we do is always clear: Leadership Austin is here to connect you directly with the issues, skills, and relationships you need make a difference in the community and to turn your passion into action.

I arrived at the station early on Sunday morning, and Brian and his team were busy working away. I was really impressed with their lean and highly professional production. The cues were spot-on, the equipment was state-of-the-art, and the set was professional and impressive. It was fun working behind the scenes watching their second by second operation - so very clearly fine-tuned.

On set in the KXAN studio

Brian was very reassuring just before going on air. He simply told me to ignore the camera, pretend like it wasn't there and just talk directly to him. The fact that he is such a personable guy and credible anchor made that easy. The four minute interview flew by... and for a few minutes afterwards I had absolutely no recollection of what I actually said! I was quickly reassured by he and the team that it was exactly what they needed, so I cheerfully went on about my Sunday.

Leadership Austin is so grateful and proud to have KXAN as a partner again this year, helping to moderate our Engage Breakfast Series and spread the word about important community issues and ways that interested citizens can get involved. Thank you to Brian and KXAN!

March 2012 Engage - Regional Healthcare: Does Austin deserve its "Fit City" moniker?

The Rollins Theater at the Long Center for the Performing Arts was the scene on March 6th for another lively discussion in our ongoing ATXpansion Engage Breakfast Series.

Austin is acclaimed for its fitness lifestyle – from avid joggers on the Lady Bird Lake trail to the Cap-10K – and our youthful and fit population, natural resources and great climate all lend themselves to our designation as the “Fit City.” But how well does this description fit our population at large? According to the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department, 28% of Austin’s kindergartners are overweight or obese.

We'd like to know what you think. What is your take on Austin's health and fitness needs?

Our expert panel explored just how healthy Central Texans really are. What are our providers, citizens and business leaders doing to help keep the city, themselves and their employees healthy? What are our challenges and prospects for the future to be a truly healthy region?

Hadlock

Panelists included:

• Paul Carrozza - Founder and CEO, RunTex
• Dr. Stephen Pont - Medical Director, Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas
• Ellen Richards - Director of Planning, Central Health
• Leslie Sweet - Austin and Central Texas Public Affairs Director, H-E-B
• Moderator: Robert Hadlock, KXAN

Carrozza

Pont

Richards

Sweet

Update - Highlights from the panel:

• “Education is related to health overall. One area we can focus on is to help kids get through high school” - Ellen Richards
• "This is a quality of life issue. What you do creates a need for what you eat. Athletes lay around and rest more than any other person because of how they train. If they do the training, the rest of the lifestyle works." - Paul Carrozza
• “There are a lot of fit folks in Austin but also a lot of disparity as well” “There’s such a great potential for us to be a diamond in being a fit city." - Dr. Stephen Pont
• “We noticed about six years ago that our HEBuddy line had some harmful ingredients, so our food scientists went back and re-worked the entire line. Now if a parent doesn't have time to read the label on a product, they can count on the fact that HEBuddy products are a good choice for their family." - Leslie Sweet

Resources and information:

• Register for the KXAN Town Hall on Regional Healthcare
• Goodhealth.com
• Heather McKissick's post at Goodhealth.com
• ATX100: a specially designed club to help those who want to lose 100 pounds or more.
• Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity
• Health and Wellness at H-E-B
• Central Health White Paper: Health and Health Care Trends & Innovations in Central Texas

Online and media coverage:

• Thom Singers blog post about today's breakfast: Some Assembly Required
• KXAN TV: ATXpansion health coverage

Live audience polling results:

As always, many thanks to our presenting sponsor Capital One Bank and special sponsors, CorpFit and goodhealth.com. Thanks to our program partners - The Long Center for the Performing Arts, KXAN News, Sterling Affairs Catering and Events - and our mobile technology partner 44Doors.

February 2012 Engage - Major Events and Their Impact

Compiled by Jeff Olmeda, Rick L'Amie and Marie-Claire Topper
-----

Austin has been bitten by the festival fever bug and we like it. That was the consensus of the interactive audience poll conducted during this morning's Engage breakfast - part of our ongoing ATXpansion series. The topic focused on major events (from SXSW to the ACL Music Festival and more) and their impact. Austin has become a destination for many top-drawing festivals and conferences that not only shape the city, but also reflect its character. What's more, 50 percent of attendees participating in the live poll said that Austin could use more major events for their economic and quality of life benefits.

February 2012 Engage Panelists (from left to right): Hugh Forrest, SXSW Interactive;
Jon Roberts, TIP Strategies; Lisa Hickey, C3 Presents; Geoff Moore, Circuit of
the Americas; and moderator Shannon Wolfson, KXAN News

UPDATE I: Some sample "soundbites" from our panelists:

• Hugh Forest - Event Director, SXSW Interactive Festival
  SXSW generated $167 million in 2011. We actually increased badge prices for Interactive part to scare people away... but people still come to Interactive. People love a scarce commodity. This is what makes a festival successful. We try to incorporate the community by having free shows, and there are also "spinoff" events to be a part of the festival.
• Jon Roberts - Principal, TIP Strategies
  We can sustain more events in Austin. That's what it means to be an international city. We are never disappointed in Austin. There is always something to do every night because we are international.
• Lisa Hickey - Festival Marketing Director, C3 Presents
  ACL is successful because it infuses Austin's culture. Approximately 60 percent of attendees are from Austin, 23 percent are outside of Texas, and two percent are international. ACL has contributed around $4 million to local charity organizations.
• Geoff Moore - Chief Sales Marketing Officer, Circuit of the Americas
  On opening day, F1 is expecting one third [of the attendees to come from] Texas, one-third from elsewhere in the U.S., and one third international. F1 is trying to build something great. The market determines the pricing.

You can listen to the full conversation in our podcast below, but we'd like to hear from you as well. Do you agree with the attendees who say Austin should have more events? Do the the economic and quality of life benefits outweigh the negatives addressed today such as traffic, lack of hotel space, and rising ticket prices? What thoughts or concerns do you have about festivals and their impact? Leave a comment below and let us know!

As always, many thanks to our presenting sponsor Capital One Bank and special thanks to our program partners - The Long Center for the Performing Arts, KXAN News, Sterling Affairs Catering and Events - and our mobile technology partner 44Doors.

UPDATE II:: Media and blog coverage of the breakfast:

• Blogger Thom Singer: Some Assembly Required
• Community Impact News Event Recap

References from the discussion:

• ACL Music Festival
• Circuit of the Americas
• SXSW
• TIP Strategies
• The Austin Equation

Audio:

Download this audio file (MP3)

Subscribe to the Leadership Austin Podcast via iTunes

Live polling results:

Mouse over the pie charts below for more information on each of the responses.

January 2012 Engage - Water Use and Management

Expert panelists shared some sobering but thoughtful insights on water use and management at today's Engage Speaker Series breakfast at the Long Center. If you missed this important discussion, the audio podcast is below along with references from the discussion and the results of our live audience polling.

January Engage breakfast at the Long Center

What can you do to get engaged in the conversations and solutions surrounding water in Central Texas? Here are some suggestions from the panel:

• Becky Motal - General Manager, LCRA
  We have to develop new supplies and better conjunctive uses of water. Become leaders and help develop new water supplies so the State of Texas can remain a healthy economic engine.
• Laura Huffman - Texas State Director, The Nature Conservancy
  1) Manage existing supplies - the state water plan is our strategy to do that, but it needs funding; 2) Be really careful about protecting water quality in a drought situation; 3) Develop creative partnerships with corporations on water conservation commitments; 4) Help champion the need to create a standing, statewide consortium on this issue.
• Carlos Rubinstein - Commissioner, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
  More people have to recognize that the drought affects them personally. Every drop is precious. Every one of us needs to realize that we can't grow the economy without water. We need to fund the strategies that are already in place.
• Greg Meszaros - Director, City of Austin Water Utility
  Educate yourself. Expect to see water funding increase in the future and realize that it will take a long time to make these changes. Be innovative. Consider the wise use and reuse of water.

Thanks to KXAN's Jim Spencer for being our moderator this morning. Be sure to check out KXAN.com's ATXpansion section for more on this and other important community issues. UPDATE: Watch the KXAN News story below.

Thank you as well to our presenting sponsor, Capital One Bank, and special thanks to our program partners - The Long Center for the Performing Arts, KXAN News, Sterling Affairs Catering and Events - and our mobile technology partner 44Doors.

Attendees using the live polling technology from 44Doors

What did you think of the discussion? What are your plans for addressing this issue personally? Leave a comment and let us know!

References from the discussion:

• City of Austin Water Utility
• LCRA
• The Nature Conservancy
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
• 2012 State of Texas Water Plan

Images:
Visit our Facebook page for images from the breakfast.

Audio:

Download this audio file (MP3)

Subscribe to the Leadership Austin Podcast via iTunes

Live polling results:

We asked the audience to indicate the level of importance

they place on the following statements:

Statement 1: The drought's impact on my personal water use.

Statement 2: The drought's impact on property values.

Statement 3: The drought's impact on recreational activities.

Statement 4: The drought's impact on agriculture.

December 2011 Engage - The State of Giving

Collaboration, creativity, and a focus on volunteers were some the of the key topics addressed by an expert panel at the December 6 Engage breakfast. A sold-out crowd of more than 150 filled the Kodosky Lounge at the Long Center for the Performing Arts to hear Jeff Garvey (President and CEO, Austin Community Foundation), Patsy Woods Martin (Founder and Executive Director, I Live Here, I Give Here) Lynn Meredith (President, MFI Foundation), and Gerry Tucker (Vice Chair, A Legacy of Giving; VP of Human Resources, Austin Community College) discuss the state of philanthropy in Central Texas. KXAN Chief Weathercaster Jim Spencer moderated the panel.

UPDATE: read a great recap of the event from speaker and consultant Thom Singer, and see the coverage from Community Impact News and KXAN-TV.

December Engage breakfast in the Long Center's Kodosky Lounge

The panel also addressed corporate giving. According to Garvey, only five percent of the $300 billion in charitable giving in 2010 came from corporations. However, Garvey acknowledged that, like struggling non-profits, businesses large and small have been hit hard by the economy. Through an interactive mobile poll provided by 44Doors, audience members strongly supported the notion that companies should give more.

Here are a few other notable comments from our panelists:

• There are more non-profits in Central Texas than gas stations and restaurants combined. -Jeff Garvey
• When economic times impacted Austin in the past, non-profits came together. Collaborations happened, new non-profits formed; we have an opportunity to do that again. It's something positive we can focus on. -Lynn Meredith
• There is no magic to raising money. It's a process. It's about meeting the needs of the individuals from whom we want support. Are you doing it [fundraising] reactively, or are you doing intentionally? -Patsy Woods Martin
• Do your homework. It is a process and there's a way to do it. It really is 'why do you believe in it?' The most important thing is to take care of that donor afterwards - whether they say yes or no. Staying in that relationship is critical because you don't know when they may be ready to give. -Lynn Meredith
• Connect the donor with what you do. Find what tugs at their hearts, and be creative. If you're running your agency like you always used to run it, it won't work any more. You have to do things differently. -Gerry Tucker
• There is no substitute for passion. Passion is contagious. Have your most passionate people delivering the ask. -Jeff Garvey

Complete polling results from the event are below, along with references from the discussion and the audio podcast. Thanks again to our presenting sponsor, Capital One Bank, and special thanks to our program partners, The Long Center for the Performing Arts, KXAN News, and Sterling Affairs Catering and Events.

Now it's your turn... stay engaged and get informed! What did you think of the program? What are your next steps for taking a leading role seeing that philanthropy is promoted and applauded in Austin? How can Leadership Austin help? Leave a comment and let us know!

References from the discussion:

• Austin Community Foundation
• I Live Here, I Give Here
• A Legacy of Giving
• Blackbaud report: Growing Philanthropy in the United States
• 44 Doors - our mobile technology partner
• Support Leadership Austin

Audio:

Download this audio file (MP3)

Subscribe to the Leadership Austin Podcast via iTunes

Live polling results:

Question 1: I wish I could give more to charitable organizations,

but my personal finances take priority in the current economy.

Question 2: The charitable organizations I (or my company)

support have had to cut programs or resources in a

way that reduces the quality of life in our community.

Question 3: For-profit companies have a responsibility to help

fill the philanthropy gap through increased corporate giving.

November 2011 Engage - Austin's Creative Arts Capacity

It was a lively discussion around the creative arts this morning at the second Engage breakfast in our ongoing ATXpansion series. Panelists Elisbeth Challener (ZACH Theatre), Robert Faires (Austin Chronicle), Jamie Grant (The Long Center), and Rupert Reyes (Teatro Vivo), discussed the "growing" concerns and opportunities facing the arts and creative sector in Austin. Given our current growth trajectory and recent arts-organization struggles, does Austin have the infrastructure, working artists, and leadership needed to keep pace?

UPDATE: Read a recap of the event from Andrea Leptinsky of Community Impact News, and see the evening news coverage from KXAN.

November Engage panelists in the Long Center's Rollins Theatre

Moderator Leslie Rhode of KXAN kicked things off with a question about what attendees considered to be the biggest challenge facing the Austin arts community. In our live, interactive poll, an overwhelming 60 percent said financial support. Other polling results are below, along with references from the discussion and the audio podcast. What did you think of the program? What are your next steps for taking a leading role in this important aspect of Austin's unique culture? Leave a comment and let us know!

Thanks again to our Presenting Partner, Capital One Bank, and special thanks to our program partners, The Long Center for the Performing Arts, KXAN News, and Sterling Affairs Catering and Events!

References from the discussion:

• ZACH Theatre
• Robert Faires Columns at the The Austin Chronicle
• The Long Center for the Performing Arts
• Teatro Vivo
• The Better Halves
• Create Austin: Austin's Community Cultural Plan
• Austin Creative Alliance
• Theatre Action Project
• ZACH Theatre's Youth Programs
• mindPOP

Audio:

Download this audio file (MP3)

Subscribe to the Leadership Austin Podcast via iTunes

Live polling results:

October 2011 Engage - ATXpansion

We just wrapped up the first Engage breakfast of the 2011-12 series with Seton COO Jesus Garza, UT President William Powers, and Texas State Senator Kirk Watson on the Dell Hall Stage at the Long Center for the Performing Arts.

Community Impact Newspaper was there and has a great recap of the event. And don't forget to check out the references, audio podcast, and live polling results below. What did you think of the program? Leave a comment and let us know!

References from the discussion:

• Seton Family of Hospitals COO Jesus Garza
• Office of UT President William Powers
• Office of Texas Senator Kirk Watson
• Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO)
• Overview of State Highway Fund 0006 Revenues - Motor Fuels Tax (PDF)
• Texas State Highway 130
• November 2011 Election State Proposition 2 from Legislature Bill SJR 4
• November 2011 Election State Proposition 8 from Legislature Bill SJR 16
• Kirk Watson's "10 Goals in 10 Years"

Audio:

Download this audio file (MP3)

Subscribe to the Leadership Austin Podcast via iTunes

Live polling results:

Engage 2011 Breakfast Series Kicks off tomorrow

Engage Breakfast Series Sets Record Attendance

The Leadership Austin staff is ecstatic over the great response to our kick-off Engage Breakfast series, which takes place tomorrow, Oct. 6. It's a sellout! More than 220 seats have been reserved on the stage of Dell Hall at the Long Center for the Performing Arts.

We believe that our new venue, along with a timely topic and stellar panel of speakers has generated a lot of interest.

The season kicks off with a timely and thought-provoking theme: “ATXpansion: Central Texas Grows toward the Future.” What are the cautions and benefits of our current growth curve? Our panelists will address the constraints and opportunities at large from the perspective of healthcare, education, and government.

Expert Panel Members Include:

• Jesus Garza - Executive Vice President/COO, Seton Family of Hospitals
• William Powers - President, The University of Texas at Austin
• Senator Kirk Watson - Texas State Senate, District 14

KXAN Austin News, a new partner for this year’s series, will provide the moderators for all eight events. Anchor Robert Hadlock will serve as the Oct. 6 moderator.

As always, the discussion will be interactive. Using a live-polling feature, we'll be asking the audience to text their responses to a series of questions. If you'll be there, here's a preview:

• Besides our local economy, what is the most important need Central Texas faces when it comes to future expansion?
• Community leaders have recently called for establishing a medical school in Austin within the next 10 years. What is the most important benefit of having a medical school in Central Texas?
• What is the one thing you would do today that would lead to an improved quality of life in Austin, Texas?

The responses to the last question will be only be posted here, so come back and share in the dialogue. Importantly, we invite you to become engaged in the topic and make a difference.