Click here for the official Vision 20/20 website.B

VISION 20/20 MAKING RAPID PROGRESS.

     Since its inception in 2007, Vision 20/20 and its roster of more than 70 community leaders have initiated and supported many projects across Isabella County. Vision 20/20 was formed to organize citizen involvement, share resources and talents and help move Isabella County from 'good to great.' Vision 20/20's plan is built on five elements: Leadership, Education, Integration and Planning, Economic Development and Quality of Life. There are separate subcommittees focusing on each of these elements made up of volunteers with varying backgrounds. These members are drawn from across Isabella County. 

     Over the past year many projects have been launched and their benefits have been felt county-wide; confirming that strong leaders are at the core of every community's success. Vision 20/20's Leadership committee acknowledged this fact and partnered with the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce to help take such leaders from 'good to great.' Every second year the Rollie Denison Leadership Institute offers a curriculum to enhance leadership skills. The class of 2008-09 set a goal of raising $10,000 to start a Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation endowment that will help fund leadership enhancement opportunities in Isabella County. To date, the class has raised nearly $8,000 towards its Vision 20/20 Article Page 2 of 3 goal. One of these graduates, Scott Gillespie, described the experience as very insightful and beneficial to not only how he runs his business, Selling U, but on how to become an effective volunteer and community leader. Scott continued, "I would certainly recommend this program to others. It was a perfect fit for the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce and the Vision 20/20 group to work together to take the program to the next level." Applications for the fall 2010 class are available at the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce office. 

     Other current Vision 20/20 projects stem from the Quality of Life committee. The Banner Festival, in its second year, has proven to be very successful with 250 banners being completed this year; up from 160 banners in 2009. Artists range from age 8-80 and hail from communities across Isabella County. Many organizations have come forth to support this initiative including Art Reach of Mid-Michigan, Central Michigan University, the Mt. Pleasant Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the communities of Mt. Pleasant, Shepherd and Winn. These original pieces of artwork will be displayed from June through November on CMU's campus and in downtown Mt. Pleasant, Shepherd and Winn. The project is inclusive. Individuals do not have to be artists to be involved. Those interested in completing a banner just need to contact the Art Reach office. 

     Another project going strong in its second year is the Youth After School Health and Fitness Program. Housed at Morey Courts, this outreach offers junior and senior high school students the opportunity to improve their fitness levels, learn about health and nutrition and develop leadership skills. Morey Courts initiated this project and Vision 20/20 identified partners to make this program a reality. Central Michigan Community Hospital provides training on fitness and nutrition, the Isabella County Transportation Commission offers reduced rates for students to be transported to Morey Courts and Vision 20/20 Article Page 3 of 3 Central Michigan University students serve as mentors to participants. As an added benefit, every week Morey Courts gives one additional free pass to each program participant. The initial goal was to have 40 students involved and this semester 45 students who represent every school in the county are participating. This program will again be available in fall 2010. 

     Reflecting on Vision 20/20's short history and rapid progress over the past three years, Vision 20/20 chair and co-founder Sid Smith stated, "It is wonderful to see numerous community organizations work toward a common goal. No matter what the project, there are so many talented individuals in the county making good things happen. Two of the main reasons Vision 20/20 started was to have people share their resources and talents and help take Isabella County from 'good to great'.'' Smith continued, "If the first three years are any indication of things to come we are well on our way ---- thanks to so many." 

-Vision 20/20 is now on Facebook. 

-Information is also available on the website www.vision2020isabellacounty.com

VISION 20/20 was formed entirely by an ad hoc group of concerned Isabella County residents, whose purpose was to take the community “From Good to Great” through a planned, cohesive approach to growth.  The goal is to move our community to the highest level possible by creating opportunities for sustained cooperation between governmental entities at all levels, among all of our educational institutions, and business and industry collectively and regionally lending to the enhancement of the quality of our lives.

The objectives of VISION 20/20 are the creation of a sustainable leadership base to fill all leadership opportunities, occupy positions in local government that have been historically hard to fill, infuse the community with volunteerism and community service, and increase regional and intergovernmental cooperation for the benefit of Isabella County residents.

VISION 20/20 has hosted public meetings and has presented to several service organizations to get your ideas and dreams for the future.  We will be happy to speak to any group or person that wants to be a part of the dream and taking their suggestions seriously.  We need your input, every idea is worth consideration, so please contact Vision 20/20 at wsidneysmith@msn.com or send comments to 108 S. University, Suite 6, Mt. Pleasant, MI  48858.

The members of Vision 20/20 includes community leaders who have no special agenda other than to work together through open, frank and frequent discussions, to examine all issues without concern of political consequence or political constituency. For this reason, no government officials or representatives from governmental organizations were included within the original Vision20/20 structure.