Basin residents encouraged to continue “Shaping Our Future Together”

CBT follows up on 2010 Columbia Basin Symposium

by Keith Powell — March 15, 2011

David Beurle and Juliet Fox of Innovative Leadership engage attendees in future scenario planning for the Basin region during the 2010 Columbia Basin Symposium.

In order to continue the momentum fostered by participants at the 2010 Columbia Basin Symposium, Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) is inviting Basin residents—those who attended the event and those who didn't—to review the summary reports and videos of the symposium sessions, now available at www.cbt.org. Hosted by CBT, the symposium was themed, "Shaping Our Future Together: Take Action, Build Partnerships, Strengthen Communities," and took place October 22 to 24, 2010, in Revelstoke.

The symposium sought to engage residents to collectively look toward the future of the Basin, while also discussing and addressing some of today's key issues. The theme encouraged participants to examine the effects of the decisions we make today on the future of the Basin, and to consider how many of the challenges the Basin faces will require working together to achieve common goals.

"Nearly 300 people registered for the symposium, with representation from almost every municipality and rural area within the Basin and from a diversity of affiliations," said Garry Merkel, CBT chair, board of directors. "This high level of attendance shows the commitment Basin residents have to working together to shape our future in the Basin."

The symposium featured keynote speaker David Beurle, the founder and managing director of innovative leadership. Beurle facilitated an innovative two-part scenario planning process that involved participants working together to craft and discuss possible future scenarios for the Basin. The symposium also included sessions covering topics like economic development, alternate energy, community engagement and building resilient organizations, supported by expert speakers from both within the Basin and without.

"As CBT looks to the future and the roles it can play to support community development, we anticipate being part of discussions in the Basin about how to foster regional collaboration and partnership between communities," said Neil Muth, CBT president and CEO. "To maintain momentum on the conversations that were started in Revelstoke, CBT is currently supporting research on models of collaboration that have been advanced elsewhere and have led to developing a comprehensive vision and strategy for a rural geographic region. We hope residents will continue to share their views and stay connected with this and other CBT initiatives."

More information about the symposium—including videos, reports, photos and speaker presentations—is available at www.cbt.org.