Over the past 2 years, a wide range of stakeholder groups and individuals have been involved in various CYIP activities. The process has been evolving but open. The level of engagement varied across and among stakeholder interest groups for a wide range of reasons. Various members of Collaboratives have been in and out of the process. They have been intensely involved in the past few weeks.
Collaboration is indispensable, but messy.
Has the process of engagement satisfied all participants in every way, no. Has the process looked like other community planning processes, yes. Is there a willingness to keep working through the process to resolve outstanding issues, yes. With the continuing facilitative, administrative and resource brokering support of DC Agenda and the World Bank, financial assistance from the Mott and other foundations, the strategic and timely appointments of dedicated and knowledgeable leaders on the Policy Council and Trust Corporation board of directors, the prospective appointment of an interim senior executive with talent, instant creditability and a proven track record for results, start-up operations can begin June 1999. There are no administrative mandates to prevent a smooth, orderly start-up from happening.