Strong Towns Curbside Chat
The Curbside Chat is a high-impact presentation and community discussion about the financial implications of our current pattern of development. With a successful fundraiser, we are prepared to come to Pennsylvania in early 2013 to hold Chats in 8 to 10 communities across the state.
Strong Towns is a 501(c)3 non profit organization. Our mission is to support a model of growth that allows America's towns to become financially strong and resilient. You can learn more about Strong Towns online at www.StrongTowns.org.
The Curbside Chat is our very popular initiative to share the Strong Towns message with communities across the county. The presentation connects our current, difficult economic situation with the post-WW II American pattern of development. We offer strategies for local leaders to start to adapt their places to be more competitive and financially resilient.
This presentation is game changing for public officials and local advocates. We have yet to visit a community that has not been deeply impacted by the Curbside Chat conversation. [Click here for a map of the places we have gone.]
A companion booklet as well as audio/video of prior Chats are available at www.CurbsideChat.org.
What We Need & What You Get
We are attempting to raise $6,000 to cover our costs and expenses for coming to Pennsylvania for one week and hold a between 8 to 10 Curbside Chat presentations.
We are a 501(c)3 non profit organization. If we are successful in this fundraiser, two members of our team will be traveling to Pennsylvania sometime in early 2013. Your donation will cover the costs of airline travel, rental car, lodging, meals, incidental expenses, media outreach and trip coordination.
For individuals and organizations that wish to sponsor the trip, we will take steps to publicly recognize your contribution in the places we visit. If you are a community that would like to host a Chat or want to see us visit a specific city, a $1,000 donation will ensure a stop. Regardless of donation levels, communities may request a Curbside Chat as part of this trip by signing up on our website.
If we don't reach our goal, the funds you donate will be returned to you.
The Impact
Here is some of the feedback we've received when we asked people to write down their reaction following a Curbside Chat:
- "Inspired! I had never thought about development and road costs that way."
- "I was impressed by the information presented and the way it was presented."
- "I thoroughly enjoyed the Curbside Chat. I thought it was well put together and very informative. I would 100% recommend the talk."
- I had lots of disparate concerns tied up neatly. I should have brought half a dozen friends along.
- The curbside Chat was the most exciting talk that I've heard in a couple of years, and I hear a lot.
We've asked participants if the Curbside Chat has changed the way they look at growth and development in their community. Every participant that responded has said, "yes". The Curbside Chat is a high impact presentation delivered with credibility at a time when both are badly needed.
Other Ways You Can Help
If you can’t contribute, that doesn’t mean you can’t help. Here are some things you can do:
- Pass this along to others that may be interested, on Facebook or elsewhere on the web.
- Let your city officials know that you are interested in having a Curbside Chat in your community. Tell them how they can contact us.
- Do what you can to make your town a strong town.
Thank you. We look forward to coming to Pennsylvania.
