LEXINGTON, KY - "We believe Lexington's strongest asset is its people," reads the website of ProgressLex, Lexington's newest non-profit grassroots organization, "which is why we rely almost entirely on volunteers committed to helping us achieve our vision of making Lexington, Kentucky one of the most livable cities in the world."
To get acquainted with this new organization, Business Lexington posed questions to ProgressLex board chair Dan Rowland (DR) and executive director, Nathan Cryder (NC)
How did ProgressLex come about?
DR: The controversy surrounding the Centrepointe project was a motivator for some of our early enthusiasts, but we quickly broadened our vision to include a number of other issues we felt were important to Lexington's future (social justice, the arts, sustainable economic development in addition to good design and historic preservation). Early on, we realized that if we could unite separate groups interested in their own separate issues into one large online community advocating for all of our causes, we would create a powerful informational and political tool for improving Lexington, particularly Lexington's downtown. As we met informally for over a year, we saw that citizen involvement, government transparency, and excellent local leadership would be crucial to all of our efforts.
Who were the principle organizers?
DR: Various people have taken part, but, as I remember, our first meeting was attended by John Morgan, Linda Carroll, Knox van Nagell, Phil Holoubek, Carl Leonard, Hayward Wilkirson, Mike Meuser, and me. Jessica and Clark Case were also involved from the beginning. As our discussion continued and we moved towards setting up a board, several people declined for lack of time or other reasons, and crucial new people with wider interests joined us: Nathan Cryder, Rebecca and Ben Self, Shevawn Akers, Graham Pohl, and Le Tonia Jones. (Our current board officers are listed on our website.) Many people not formally on our board have played and continue to play important roles.
Why now?
DR: We believe that Lexington is on the cusp of an important transformation. This transformation, like most major changes, has been a diffuse process. But many of us who have lived in Lexington for a long time have sensed that something like a revolution is quietly taking place in the last few years. One major reason is the emergence of a new generation of young, energetic leaders who are already transforming our city by their efforts: the folks behind Al's Bar and Stella's, Collexion, Buster's, Awesome, Inc. and a number of other examples. What's more, we believe 2010 is already shaping up to be a tipping point. Lexington is not only hosting the WEG but also the Creative Cities Summit, Now What, Lexington? (an event ProgressLex is organizing), a TEDx conference and a number of other events indicative our city's long-sought arrival as a place which values creativity, innovation, and progress. And, finally, the 2010 election will allow ProgressLex to play a crucial role in putting the issues we champion on the forefront in the minds of voters, as well as candidates for office.
What are the organization's core beliefs?
From our website "Our beliefs" page: ProgressLex's mission is to create and sustain a thriving, diverse and beautiful Lexington that serves all citizens. Specifically, we will foster meaningful citizen participation, improve government transparency and support visionary citywide leadership toward the following ends: