Yosemite Region Entity MeetingMonday 9 January 2006

Yosemite Region Entity MeetingAgenda

Welcomes, Introductions

Purpose of meeting “Why form a Yosemite regional entity?”

“What’s to be gained from such an entity?”

Goals of meetingCreate a Draft Working Document

Choose a Document Representative from attendees

Morning Session—Idea Generation by Full Group [9:30am – Noon] Exploration and discussion of ideas to answer the two Questions, assisted by relevant examples and

experiences of other entities and successful regions in California, the US, and other parts of the world

Goal: capturing workable ideas and thoughts from all participants on how to answer the two Questions

Afternoon Session—Coalescing Ideas into Actions by Subgroups [1pm – 4pm]Discussions in smaller, aligned interests/experiences groups to turn relevant, workable ideas into

statements that reflect the group’s answers to these two QuestionsGoal: Creating a Draft Working Document that offers suggested answers to the two Questions;

could include formulating overall purpose, possible structure and functioning of EntityGoal: Choosing a Representative from this group to present this Draft Working Document to

attendees at the upcoming Yosemite Gateway Partners Meeting on February 2, 2006

Yosemite Region Entity MeetingTimeline

9am – 9:30am Welcoming remarks, Introduction of All Participants

9:30am – 10:30am Idea Generation session with Full Group10:30 - 10:45am Beverage break10:45 - 11:45am Continue Idea Generation session with Full Group11:45 – Noon Decide how to break into Subgroups

Noon – 1pmLunch (complimentary, served on site)

1pm – 2:30pm Coalescing Ideas into Actions session with Subgroups2:30 -2:45 Beverage break2:45 – 3:45 Framing Actions into a Draft Working Document

3:45 – 4pm Wrapup: Decide on Representative, how to present at next Yosemite Gateway Partners Meeting, whether to circulate ahead of meeting, etc.

Yosemite Region ~ The Big Picture

Yosemite Region ~ The Big Picturewith Cities

Yosemite Region ~ The Big Picturewith Cities and Borders

Yosemite Region ~ The Big Picturewith Cities, Borders, Lodging, Meals

Yosemite Region ~ The Big Picturewith Cities, Borders, & Park

Yosemite Region ~ The Big Picturefor Visitors in California

Basic Questions to Answer ~

• “Why form a Yosemite regional entity?”

• “What’s to be gained from such an entity?”

Today’s Goals ~

Create a Draft Working Document

Choose a Document Representative from Attendees

Thoughts to consider ~

• Who are the Stakeholders in the Region? Why do they live in the Region?

• Who are the Stakeholders outside the Region? What brings them to the Region?

“Why form a Yosemite regional entity?”

• What ties all stakeholders together? Benefits, problems, issues?

“What’s to be gained from such an entity?”

• Why should they work together?

Relevant examples to consider ~

• The Gatlinburg Gateway Foundation ~ Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee; http://www.gatlinburg-tennessee.com/

Their Mission:

“To advocate positive action and civic responsibility to achieve an environmentally sensitive, culturally enriched, and economically prosperous gateway community to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.”

Relevant examples to consider ~ Napa Valley Economic Development Corporation; http://www.nvedc.org/nvedc/mission.html

Mission Statement:• To develop a sustainable, balanced and diverse economy through

strong partnerships, resource leveraging and state of the art information services. We achieve this by retaining and creating quality jobs, enhancing the standard of living for all Napa County residents and increasing revenue to local governments, while maintaining the integrity of Napa Valley’s Agricultural Preserve.

“NAPA’S FUTURE IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS”

• Napa Valley Economic Development Corporation (NVEDC) is a private/public non-profit organization working throughout Napa County.  Our Board of Directors is comprised of a strategic mix of private and public community leaders.

Relevant examples to consider ~

California Desert Managers Group, Mojave Desert Region

http://www.dmg.gov/charter.php

Their mission

• Develop coordinated and complimentary management guidelines, practices, and programs.

• Coordinate and integrate efforts in the California Desert to:

– Conserve and restore desert resources

– Provide high quality recreation, public education and visitor services

– Provide for safety of desert users

• Develop and integrate the databases and scientific studies needed for effective resource management and planning.

• Promote compatibility in the application of each agency's mission

Relevant examples to consider ~California Desert Managers Group, Mojave Desert Regionhttp://www.dmg.gov/charter.php

GOVERNING PRINCIPLESThe DMG operates under the following Principles:

• Participation in the DMG does not diminish an agency's autonomy or authority to conduct/accomplish their mission.

• Agencies participating in the DMG will work to create opportunities and develop partnerships to effectively and efficiently manage resources.

• Participating agencies recognize the diverse uses of the California deserts and their responsibility to the American people for being good stewards of desert resources.

• Participants in the DMG agree to make decisions by consensus. Consensus for the DMG is defined to mean a proposed solution or decision that participants can support or live with.

• Participating agencies recognize their responsibility to keep the public informed and provide opportunities for comment on DMG activities and initiatives.

• DMG activities will be consistent with and/or designed to implement agency resource management plans (i.e., National Park Service General Management Plans; Bureau of Land Management Resource Management Plans; Department of Defense Integrated Natural Resource Plans).

Relevant examples to consider ~

The Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network ~ Chesapeake Bay Region, East Coast; http://www.baygateways.net/

Mission : Through a partnership system of parks, refuges, museums, historic sites and water trails spanning the watershed, the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network helps the American public access, enjoy, understand and appreciate the natural, cultural, historic and recreational resources and values of the Chesapeake and its rivers and engage in their stewardship.

Vision:

Imagine a network of linked natural, cultural, historical and recreational sites throughout the Chesapeake Bay region. Think of visiting these places to learn about the Bay's diverse stories, experience its history and enjoy its natural beauty. You might travel from one site to another paddling a water trail, riding on a ferry or driving a scenic tour route. Perhaps you would volunteer some time helping restore a wetland or an historic site. You would easily find information about Bay-related sites, stories, and adventures through a series of Bay Gateways. In effect, this network would become your guide and your entry point to experiencing and learning about the Chesapeake Bay.

This is the vision of the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network. The partnership network of sites is evolving over time, adding sites, information and new routes to explore the Bay region.

Helping people understand and appreciate the Chesapeake Bay through this network of special places is more than just tourism. Every person who lives, works or visits the region affects the Bay. Linking the places people value to an understanding of the Bay as a system is an integral part of the effort to conserve and restore the Bay's natural environment. Changing how people perceive the Bay by interpreting its resources is a meaningful step toward creating a broader commitment to Bay restoration and conservation. This is a fundamental aspect of the Gateways Network vision.

Relevant examples to consider ~

Outside Las Vegas Foundation ~ Las Vegas Nevada Region; http://www.outsidelasvegas.org/

Mission : The Outside Las Vegas Foundation is dedicated to preserving the federal public lands surrounding Las Vegas, enriching the experience of its visitors, enhancing the quality of life for local residents and promoting community stewardship of these valuable resources.