Your Town Alabama: Designing Our Future

Welcome to Your Town Alabama

Dear Small Town and Community Leader:

Unfortunately, the 2008 Your Town Alabama Workshop is now full. If you are still interested in applying, contact Martha Whitson via e-mail (martha@yourtownalabama.org) to be put on a waiting list.

Below is an application and general information for the annual 2008 Your Town Alabama workshop, scheduled for June 18 – 20, 2008 at Camp McDowell.  This is our 10th year anniversary!  Camp McDowell is located near Nauvoo, Alabama, (close to Jasper, AL) and is a delightful retreat location.  The workshop consists of highly informative presentations and problem-solving activities for participants.  It is also a wonderful opportunity to network with other community leaders and make contacts with presenters who work throughout Alabama in the planning, design, economic development, and resource preservation fields.  The focus of the workshop aims specifically to introduce small town and rural technical assistance providers and decision makers to the role of design in community planning.  Former participants remark that the workshop is FUN and invigorating and opened their minds to many possibilities.  If you or other community leaders are interested in attending this workshop, please complete the application and return by May 31, 2008. 

If you are still interested in applying, contact Martha Whitson via e-mail (martha@yourtownalabama.org) to be put on a waiting list.

Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from Camp McDowell.  The workshop begins promptly at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 18 and will end at 12:00 noon on Friday, June 20.  All participants are expected to stay for the entire workshop.  Feel free to visit the Camp McDowell website at: www.campmcdowell.com for directions and to learn more about the facilities.  Lodging for Wednesday and Thursday are required at Camp McDowell, however if you need overnight lodging for Tuesday, June 17, a list of local hotels in Jasper, AL is provided.  Your Town Alabama participants will be housed in Miller Commons, which includes 5 cabins – each with 11 bedrooms (6 upstairs and 5 downstairs – all rooms have two queen beds/one bath).  There are no TV’s, radios, alarm clocks or telephones in the cabins; you will be surrounded by a beautiful natural environment.  Dress for the workshop is very casual (shorts/jeans/T-shirts/tennis shoes, etc.)

The cost for the workshop is $165 per participant for double occupancy (roommates will be assigned) OR $195 per participant for single occupancy. There are a limited number of single rooms; if you prefer a single room, you are urged to apply early as they will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.  The registration fee includes workshop materials, lodging and all meals (lunch and dinner on Wednesday; breakfast, lunch and dinner on Thursday; and breakfast on Friday).  If you do not register on-line, please make checks payable to: “Your Town Alabama” and submit with your application – no refunds will be given after May 31, 2008.

Please feel free to duplicate this information and distribute among citizens in your community that would benefit from the workshop.  Participants must apply for and be accepted for the Your Town Alabama workshop prior to arrival.  There will be no on-site registration since extensive preparation must be made well in advance for each participant.  In addition, a limited number of scholarships (double occupancy only) are available.  If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, please contact Mr. Paul Kennedy at 205-302-0001.

The workshop is sponsored by a host of organizations including the Alabama Historical Commission, the Alabama Association of Regional Councils, Appalachian Regional Commission, The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development, Auburn University Center for Architecture and Urban Studies, the Cawaco Resource Conservation and Development Council, the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham and Alabama Power Company.

Please complete the application and return it by the May 31st deadline.  If selected, an information packet will be mailed to you with more specific information.  Late applications will be considered for future classes.

We look forward to a fun, challenging and rewarding workshop.

Sincerely,

Martha W. Whitson
Your Town Alabama, Inc

for a mail in registration form, click here.

* Snacks will be provided, however if you have a special snack or drink you prefer, you may want to bring a supply.  Vending machines are also available – bring change as we will not be able to make change.