In Room 222, eight Summit-goers and two facilitators layered Post-it over Post-it hammering out how they wanted transportation to change. Even before their first break, they had created a flurry of notes.

Under the heading “What does it look like?” Post-its demanded extensions of existing services, creation of vouchers for people with disabilities (“not just seniors”), institutionalization of door-to-door transportation systems, development of transportation committees, informational websites and weekend services.

Elko was the only Summit out of Las Vegas, Elko and Reno to identify transportation as a major focus for discussion. Elko is a rural community, but the participants discussed statewide transportation solutions, from McDermitt to Las Vegas.

As the discussion moved from what was needed to how it would happen, the focus shifted to creating a committee that would helm the new duties and bring the Nevada Department of Transportation back to the table. After some frustrated minutes trying to focus the committee’s purpose into a name, Lynette Giesenhagen quietly said, “The People’s Committee for Transportation.”

Everyone clamored approval and began listing stakeholders. Someone even offered a humorous motto, expressing frustration at past problems with implementing transportation change.

“You know what, you tell them that we had a really good meeting, we had some really good ideas and we need their cooperation,” facilitator Scott Harrington said. “And we won’t throw them under the bus.”

Read more about the Reno and Elko Employment Summits on NCED’s blog at:
Elko ascends Summit day two
Behind the scenes of the Employment Summit
Three Summits, six days, two tired facilitators
Out of the gate running: Employment Summit’s First Day
Hashing out action plans: Employment Summit’s Second Day