From: "Farooq, Iram" <ifarooq@cambridgema.gov> Date: Friday, June 6, 2014 2:31 PM To: Cambridge Conversations <cambridgeconversations@CambridgeMA.GOV> Subject: CAMBRIDGE CONVERSATIONS: More Information The Cambridge Conversations have begun, with the first two drop in sessions at Fresh Pond Day and the Kendall Square ECKOS meeting! These Conversations are the precursor to Cambridge¹s city-wide master plan process. Before the community launches into a multi-year master plan, we need a moment to talk, exchange ideas, and think about the best way to set up a process for the master plan. The initial conversations to be held in June 2014 are open ended discussions to hear concerns, thoughts, and ideas about the master plan and master plan process. The City has hired Kathryn Madden <http://www.maddenplanning.com/KathrynMadden.pdf> of the Madden Planning Group <http://www.maddenplanning.com/> to help facilitate the Cambridge Conversations. Kathryn has extensive experience with both master planning and community engagement. Click here for the current schedule <http://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/News/2014/06/cambridgeconversations.aspx> of meetings. Find a location and time that works for you. If you can¹t make it to any of these meetings in June, don¹t worry. Send an email to CambridgeConversations@cambridgema.gov and we¹d be happy to schedule a time to come to your neighborhood group or other meeting later this summer or fall. There are many ways to join the conversation! Attend a community meeting: Three community meetings are scheduled <http://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/News/2014/06/cambridgeconversations.aspx> to allow people to select a time and location that is most convenient. Each meeting will follow the same format. They are designed for listening and sharing ideas together as a group. There will be an informal open house; a brief introduction to our current conversations and how these relate to the future master plan; an interactive work session to allow people to share their ideas in casual conversation; and a wrap-up to talk about next steps. Or Stop by at a Drop-In Session: Over 17 drop-in sessions <http://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/News/2014/06/cambridgeconversations.aspx> are available at different times and locations across the city. Each drop-in session has the same format. These are planned to make access more convenient for those who prefer to drop by briefly for informal conversations that may last only a few minutes or casual discussions that may engage others who happen to be visiting the table at the same time. Or Send an email with thoughts and ideas to CambridgeConversations@cambridgema.gov Or Comment on the CoUrbanize web page (coming soon) and Survey (coming soon) where you can also offer ideas. Meanwhile Look for our online updates on the CDD website <http://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/News/2014/06/cambridgeconversations.aspx> . If you cannot attend a meeting this month or cannot comment on line, there will be many more opportunities to participate over the next two years. Please help get the word out and encourage others to participate. * If you¹d like us to come to a meeting of your neighborhood or other group for a smaller discussion, please send us an email. We¹d be happy to attend. * If you received this message through a listserv or a friend and would like to join the notification list for Cambridge Conversations: Citywide Master Plan, please send us an email. * Please feel free to forward this notice to others who might be interested. * If you prefer not to receive further notices about this project, please let us know and we will remove you from the list. Have questions or need more information? Contact CambridgeConversations@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-4640. IRAM FAROOQ, AICP, LEED-AP Acting Deputy Director for Community Development City of Cambridge - Community Development Department 344 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139 t. 617.349.4606 f. 617.349.4669 http://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD.aspx <http://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD.aspx> <https://www.facebook.com/CDDat344> <https://twitter.com/cddat344> <http://cddat344.tumblr.com/> <http://instagram.com/cddat344>