Vision Agenda: Serve

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Serve

What is our vision for how residents, leaders, and organizations of all types can work together to serve the county more effectively?

How can we build greater “social capital” in the county? Social capital is the quality and extent of relationships and networks between people and organizations, from block clubs to countywide associations.
How do we strengthen and better utilize our community and faith-based organizations, including churches, foundations, chambers, social service organizations, and other nonprofits?
How do we build sustained public engagement in all aspects of government and decision making?
How do we achieve high-quality intergovernmental interaction and partnerships around key opportunities and challenges?
How can we encourage far more people to volunteer in their community and get involved?

Vision Ideas for Serve from the Community Forums

More than 230 ideas were received related to Serve across the six community forums. Seven themes rose to the top. Each is written here as if the desired future has already occurred:

Participant Vision Ideas for Serve

Responsive Government: The county has an efficient and transparent government that is highly responsive to the needs and desires of its residents, known for its stewardship of resources and reputation for fiscal responsibility and integrity, and has an overall model of progressiveness and innovation.
Thriving Nonprofit Sector: A large and thriving nonprofit sector that supplements government services and operates as a third sector partner with business and government.
Active Faith-Based Community: Most churches are heavily involved in service in schools, with the underprivileged, services for the elderly, and overall community development and betterment.
Reputation for Community Service: The county residents have a reputation for volunteerism and community service and utilize a highly organized and effective system that connects them and opportunities; and assist in effectively leveraging the pool of community, business, faith-based, and social organizations to implement a common economic and social vision for the county.
High Levels of Citizen/Public Engagement: The county has high levels of citizen/public engagement in neighborhood and community service, as well as in making the county a better place to live.
Heavy Youth Involvement: The county has an abundance of youth and young adults highly involved in politics, volunteerism, public service, and community projects.
Excellence in Public Safety: The county has responsive, accountable, and effective police and fire/EMS services.

Assets, Opportunities, and Challenges

Below are many ideas about the assets, opportunities, and challenges for Prince George’s County to consider as we strive towards our Vision for Serve.

Assets

Hundreds of faith-based organizations that are strong and rooted in the community.
Scores of nonprofit organizations throughout the county.
A multitude of homeowner associations and block clubs
Tradition of volunteering and self-reliance in the county.
Local governments that make it easier for people to get involved.

Opportunities

More collaboration between the nonprofit community and government, schools, and businesses.
Involve more people to address community needs through meaningful citizen engagement in decision making and action
Grow new leaders, including youth and young adults.
Leverage diversity through new and existing programs for blending different racial, ethnic, and income groups to achieve greater levels of cooperation and integration
Provide a countywide framework with a clear vision and strategy for improving quality of life in the county to guide decision making and action

Challenges

Controversial issues such as TRIM
Perceptions of poor management, red tape, and corruption in government.
Lack of leadership continuity as a result of term limits.
Low spending per capita in the nonprofit sector.
Local philanthropic sector is underdeveloped and needs to be strengthened.
Negativity, resistance to change, and old ways of thinking prevent trying new things
Insufficient coordination between municipalities, the county, nonprofits, and the private sector