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rare opportunity for these leaders to respond to current trends and to communicate exactly what actions they feel should be undertaken to protect the regions' quality of life and to ensure economic prosperity. The format for the summits will be influenced by the exclusion of political office holders from the meeting. This should enhance the freedom of expression and candid responses. Elected Officials Forum - Results of the Business Summit will be communicated to the political leaders of the region at one or more separate forums. Due to the nature of elected terms and therefore an ever-changing municipal leadership, we will need to develop a method of distributing and educating newly elected officials throughout the year. The report would serve as a "tool box" item that Voices & Choices could distribute to governmental leadership upon election. We would follow up with several mini-forums that could include 3-4 neighboring counties rather than the entire 14 bodies; which would allow for more meaningful discussion among connecting counties. Town Meetings - While the Regional Report will be revealed in the spring at the Business Summit; the public outreach will take place in numerous special workshops and town meetings throughout the year. During these meetings residents will be asked what measures they feel should be taken by business and government to alter the future. If funding is available, general population polling will also occur. Referred to as Town Meetings, most of these forums will be televised. In Summary The net result of this project should be a better understanding of the cause and effect relationship of the factors in the day-to-day life of the Central Carolinas Region. We see a real value in being able to provide a snapshot picture of where we are and where we are headed in terms of sustaining our quality of life. Furthermore, one of the outcomes of the summits and forums will be a workable list of desired actions by those in attendance at these events. Once that is realized, the public, business and thus political will to change should be substantially enhanced. It should be mentioned that each of the above are intended to be annual events. The value of the programs should increase as trend lines are more fully developed and citizens see progress achieved in response to their desires.