Sisters 'vision' group forms action teams

A group of Sisters area residents wants to take action to improve the community.

Last Wednesday evening, participants in the Greater Sisters Community Vision & Growth Strategy met to form action teams. The teams grew out of a vision event in October in which several hundred Sisters area residents identified the aspects of the community which needed improvement.

Around 55 people met to form six teams. They discussed their goals and identified tasks. One team wants to create better pedestrian and bike paths through town. Another team plans to honor Sisters roots through historic preservation. And a third team wants to provide service opportunities through activities such as a community garden.

One team called SEED (for Sisters Economic & Entrepreneurial Development) is interested in creating a diverse, entrepreneurial, local economy. One team member said as a father he asks himself, "What are the opportunities for young families?"

Mark Yoakum said SEED wants to provide the tools and resources for people with business ideas to be successful.

"Our interest is in developing our economic engine in the community… so it's not as reliant on tourism," said Yoakum.

Yoakum said he was impressed to realize the depth of business experience in his fellow team members.

"We're so fortunate to have these human resources in our midst," said Yoakum.

SEED and the other teams will meet again Wednesday, November 15, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Sisters Middle School. Project organizers said residents of the greater Sisters area are welcome to participate. The vision project is sponsored by Community Action Team of Sisters (CATS).