>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

UNION — The second of Union United Inc.’s strategic planning meetings falls this Monday at the Fellowship Hall of the Union United Methodist Church.

Food and refreshments will be offered at 5:30 p.m., with the actual session running 6 to 9.

As with the initial visioning meeting, held over two days in mid-February, the process will be facilitated by Vernita Ediger of the non-profit group Rural Development Initiatives, which Union United contracts with.

The agenda includes a summary of the first visioning workshop and progress reports from the action groups formed then:

• jobs and economic development;

• intergenerational recreation/fitness and health;

• community image;

• public safety and law enforcement; and

• art and local history/culture.

The draft Union vision statement produced at that first meeting will also be discussed and finalized.

In addition to the action groups’ endeavors, the Union United team has compiled a list of appropriately-called “big, hairy, audacious projects” — broader, more long-term endeavors like installing a community center and developing inter-city transportation.

“The overall purpose of visioning and developing a strategic plan for Union is to give written confirmation of the steps interested Union community members feel should be in the plan or projects for the citizens’ well being and economic development efforts in the next seven to 10 years,” said Union United Secretary/Treasurer Sue Briggs.

Union United Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to civic improvement. In addition to Briggs, its officers are President Debbie Clark and Vice-President Sandra Patterson.

All community members are invited to the planning meetings. For more information, call Briggs at 562-5748.