It was an unusual format for a community forum, with structured questions and guests sitting around a table to talk to city councilors and other city employees

Paul Valencia
Clark County Today

It was a different kind of community forum, and for the most part, the participants were pleased with the opportunity to be able to speak directly to their city leaders.

Those city leaders also appreciated the feedback.

The city of Vancouver hosted the forum at City Hall on Monday evening — but this one had a different twist.

Tables were set up with a city councilor or another representative of city hall there to listen and take notes, with all of the discussions generated by a series of pre-planned questions.

So, no, not the more traditional Q & A format. 

Still, for 90 minutes, six tables were full — with extra chairs being brought in to meet the demand — and the people were engaged.

Councilor Sarah Fox split her time between two tables.

“This table focused on ideas on how to improve events throughout the city. It was a fun energy,” Fox said. “At the first table, there was a lot of warmth coming off from each other. They shared deeper stories on what brought them here. There was a connection that was formed.”

Fox said she went into this “different” format and the structured questions with an open mind.

“At the two tables I went to, it seemed like everyone was digging into the questions that were asked,” Fox said. “That was a positive.”

The questions: What makes you feel connected to the community? What barriers might prevent some residents from the opportunities that our community offers? How can we improve belonging for people of all ages, backgrounds, and income levels?

One woman said the summer events, such as concerts or movies, at city parks make her feel good about the city. 

Another said volunteering. Overheard: “An hour of your time every month can make a great impact,” 

Another acknowledged that the people who were there Monday are the ones who do get things done in their neighborhoods. They talked about how to motivate others to get involved, as well.

One table had five people who were all involved in civic engagement of some kind.

Barriers to some of the benefits include transportation issues. Another was communication. There are some events, people said, that they did not know about until it was too late.

A young resident talked about a special activity set up by a city that he used to live in before moving to Vancouver. The city representative at that table responded: “How can the city of Vancouver replicate that and that positive experience?”

In fact, a group of teens from The Foundation, an organization for youth to build their future, showed up to the forum. There were more than a dozen teenagers who participated.

Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle opened the forum, asking guests to “tell us how we’re working.”

Councilors Kim Harless, Erik Paulsen, Diana Perez, and Fox were among the city leaders who were there for 90 minutes.

“We have a great community, with a lot to offer, and they are very interested and energized about contributing,” Paulsen said.

Not everyone preferred this format. Guests had to sign up in advance. One resident said that might have discouraged others from attending. Another wanted to ask his own questions.

Paulsen understands this was not everyone’s favorite system.

“There are so many different ways that we can connect with the community. This is just one of the many ways that we do,” Paulsen said. “I find that different constituents want to interact in different ways. Some people want to have coffee. Some people would never take that opportunity, so they like group events like this. Having a wide variety of different ways that the community can engage with us — different formats, different structures — just increases the likelihood that we’re going to connect with the highest number of people possible.”

Fox echoed those thoughts.

“What’s important is providing as many opportunities for the public to speak to us,” Fox said.

Sometimes a larger format works. 

Other times …

“It’s nice to dig in with small groups,” Fox said.