About Imagine Miami: For Folks Who Care @ the Future of Miami-Dade

WE ARE DISCONTINUING THIS MEETUP GROUP SO WE CAN FOCUS OUR ENERGIES ON OUR NING & FACEBOOK PAGE! Please join these other groups ASAP if you want to stay involved and learn about our latest events/meetups ...

Imagine Miami is a community-based effort to connect people, organizations and businesses that want to improve the quality of life for current and future Miami-Dade residents.

We're building hope and civic spirit by sharing ideas, tools and examples of how people can get involved in their neighborhoods and communities, and by showing how to collaborate with other groups in ways that increase their impact. Visit our online community to join us (free!).

The Challenge
Miami-Dade faces serious challenges: The economic crisis. Loss of affordable housing. Recent increases in violent crime. Low voter turnout. Racial/ethnic tensions. Failing schools. Rising sea level.

Many of us feel isolated and divided from one another. Some may focus on self-centered needs, wanting to protect what they have. Others are cynical, assuming they're the only ones who care about this place. Still others just don't know where to begin: the problems seem so big.

The Opportunity
The fact is, a lot of folks want to make Miami-Dade a better place. They're passionate about their community and are ready to re-build it. Many people and groups have already begun.

We're finding these people and groups, because we believe that the sum is greater that the total of its parts. Together, we increase our impact.

IM is the creative connector, convener and catalyst for change. We ...

• Connect People to People:
  We connect community members to one another in ways that build collaboration, understanding and conversation within and across groups, neighborhoods and areas of concern. We do so through our Changemaker Summits and by leveraging the power of the Internet and "civic networking."
  
• Connect People to Place:
  We connect people more deeply to their own and other neighborhoods. We help people start with the basics: talking and working with their neighbors (Adopt-Your-Block). This is true grassroots civic engagement, and by connecting neighborhoods to neighborhoods, we can take it to a much larger scale.
  
• Connect People to Purpose:
  We connect people to purpose and action aimed at helping Miami-Dade communities become more just, inclusive and sustainable.
  

We help people work towards a shared vision for a future Miami-Dade, with online toolboxes (see our online community) featuring interactive tools, resources and ideas for changemaking at the local level.

Our philosophy is simple.

First, we find and connect the people who already care about the future of Miami-Dade, regardless of their background or sector. When they realize they are not alone, and have opportunities to meet and interact with others who are engaged, they increase their commitment to community.

Then other folks take notice. They see how empowering and actually enjoyable it can be to take an active role in one's community. They're curious, so they get involved.

Then even some cynics may jump on board. They start to really see a difference based on the actions of this growing group. They're sensing that a movement has actually begun. And the tipping point is reached ...

Miami-Dade won't change overnight. But little by little, it can get better. And that's a fact, not just a vision.