“We didn’t sit back,” Darius Maynard, program associate at Community Foundation of Central Georgia, said at a recent meeting to convene the On The Table steering committee following the inaugural Oct. 17 event. He affirmed the engaged group of Macon residents as they reviewed the results of a communitywide survey conducted by Hart Research. 

On The Table brings together people of diverse backgrounds to share a meal and have meaningful conversations about topics that are important to the community. This communitywide initiative seeks to explore the ways in which we have the power to collaborate in order to make our community stronger, safer and more dynamic. 

“Who’s going to do this work?” asked Nancy Cleveland, Community Foundation communications & development associate. “You are,” she responded. The initiative and survey results largely proved that participants believe they can have a positive impact on their community. They don’t necessarily need to wait for someone else to make positive change a reality. 

Did you miss your chance to come to the table? Or want to come back for a second helping? Save the date for On The Table, Oct. 30, 2019. 

On The Table, at a glance  

5,000 participants 

Nearly 800 people responded  

Community priorities: 

Crime, violence, public safety 

Poverty, economic security 

Good jobs, economic development 

Morale, despite the challenging issues: 

66% are hopeful about what the future holds for their community 

85% believe they can have an impact in making their community a better place 

48% identify workforce training and financial education for the unemployed as the best way to improve the Macon-Bibb Community 

Based on the survey, On the Table 

• Increases understanding about important issues facing their communities 
• Creates new and lasting connections  
• Inspires action regarding new ideas, concerns or issues discussed 
• Helps better understand how to take action to address issues and challenges in their community 

“The respondents show they want to leave Macon better than they found it.” – Kathryn Dennis, Community Foundation President  

Community Foundation is 1 of 10 community foundations across the country participating in this national initiative funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Support for On the Table advances Knight Foundation’s work to help cities attract and keep talented people, expand economic opportunity and create a culture of civic engagement. Knight Foundation believes that successful communities are equitable, inclusive and participatory. On The Table replicates an annual civic engagement initiative of the same name developed by The Chicago Community Trust in 2014.
 

To learn more and see the full list of mini-grants awarded to participants who applied, visit onthetablemacon.com.