Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1233243
LOCAL BUZZ On the Table sparks conversation and action among 6,000 participants ON OCT. 30, nearly 6,000 citizens gathered throughout Middle Georgia in small mealtime conversations to build relationships and brainstorm innovative solutions to address the region's most pressing needs. Inspired by The Chicago Community Trust, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation took On the Table nationwide in 2017 with 10 community foundations serving as partners to implement the initiative in their regions. Community Foundation of Central Georgia was one of those 10 foundations selected, and because of the success of On the Table Macon 2018, CFCG expanded the initiative to Milledgeville in 2019. The success of On the Table shows that good conversation can move the needle of change in a community. Through face-to-face conversations, we can address issues that are the most challenging and important to us. Moreover, we learn through conversation and fellowship that we often have more in common with each other than we realize. Insights from On the Table civic conversations also have been used to inform city planning, program development and grantmaking. In response to the momentum generated by On the Table Macon and Milledgeville, the Community Foundation has awarded $55,000 in "Conversation to Action" grants to 54 individuals and organizations throughout the central Georgia region, to support ideas generated during the event. Leaders also took the opportunity during On the Table to solicit community comment on the OneMacon and Macon Cultural Plan strategic plans designed to foster community development and improvement. In addition, more than 1,250 adult and youth participants completed a survey following their conversations. This data was aggregated by two national polling firms, Hart Research Institute and Public Opinion Strategies, both located in Chicago. Survey results and grant recipients were announced in late January. To learn more about On the Table Macon and Milledgeville or to review the survey results and grant winners, visit onthetablemacon.com. – NANCY CLEVELAND 2 8 M ACO N M AG A Z I N E.CO M | F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 0 2 0