Strategic Plan Sample Survey - Oakridge.CITY

## Sample Survey for the 2026‒2030 Strategic Plan This is a six-question survey, designed to help the volunteer Strategic Plan Working Group develop a Strategic Plan that expresses *all* of Oakridge’s vision and goals for our town’s future over the next five years. It will take less than 15 minutes to complete: ### Four Organizing Principles The first part of this survey is designed to evaluate the extent to which the four organizing principles of *active stewardship,* *place-based prosperity,* *culture of ownership,* and *mutual aid* accurately express values and methods that most citizens **already** rally around in our civic actions. For the first four questions, please rate where you stand, on a scale of 1‒5: #### Active Stewardship ##### The Principle of Active Stewardship, Articulated *Nestled in a lush, temperate cloud forest, the residents and government of Oakridge collaborate in the management of our natural and cultural resources to sustain the vitality of our community and the habitat of our non-human neighbors, remaining open to innovation that balances human activity with environmental harmony in the management of common-pool resources. We embrace the efficient and sustainable use of managed timber lands and untapped geothermal potential.* ##### Contrasting Visions Some residents dream of an Oakridge where government orchestrates collective care for our land, uniting all in a shared mission to shield nature from human impact. They dream of centralized policies weaving a sustainable future, ensuring that every resource is managed with equitable precision. By contrast, other residents cite Oakridge’s proud tradition of active stewardship. These residents dream of a government that empowers community-led efforts—like an alliance to maintain area trails and a nonprofit focused on improving air quality and guiding restoration efforts—instead of imposing rigid mandates that stifle local initiative, keeping Oakridge’s collaborative spirit alive. ##### 1. Where Do You Stand? On a scale of 1–5 (1 = I support more stringent federal protections against human intrusion into natural spaces; 5 = I support retaining and building on Oakridge’s ethos of active stewardship), where do you stand?” |←— 1 ———— 2 ————— 3 ————— 4 ————— 5 →| I support more                                                           I support retaining stringent federal                                                             and building on protections against                                                  Oakridge’s ethos of human intrusion into                                                 active stewardship natural spaces.                                                         of the environment. #### Place-Based Prosperity ##### The Principle of Place-Based Prosperity, Articulated *The citizens of Oakridge, with our city government, foster economic vitality tied to our unparalleled natural beauty, abundant recreation opportunities, robust tourism, and distinctive local establishments, while developing and maintaining our infrastructure, parks, and area trails. We champion the interdependent pursuit of investment-driven development and resident-led stewardship, achieving vibrant community growth while safeguarding affordability, honoring the town’s heritage, and cultivating our resilience.* ##### Contrasting Visions Some residents envision an Oakridge where state government directs prosperity through unified planning, working to ensure that every resident shares in collective abundance. They dream of towns whose prosperity are coordinated by central agencies to forge a thriving state, with bold oversight ensuring equality for all. By contrast, other residents cite Oakridge’s proud legacy of place-based prosperity—building wealth through private ventures and community-driven initiatives, open to all. These residents dream of a government that nurtures and builds on these local efforts in pursuit of a vibrant local economy, instead of enforcing a one-size-fits-all plan that might dull our town’s distinct spark. ##### 2. Where Do You Stand? On a scale of 1–5 (1 = I support a radical shift to state-directed systems, in pursuit of more uniform prosperity; 5 = I support retaining and building on Oakridge’s commitment to inclusive, place-based prosperity), where do you stand? |←— 1 ———— 2 ————— 3 ————— 4 ————— 5 →| I support a                                                                 I support retaining radical shift to                                                                and building on state-directed                                                                        Oakridge’s systems, in                                                                      commitment to pursuit of more                                                              inclusive, place- uniform prosperity.                                                      based prosperity. #### Culture of Ownership ##### The Principle of “Culture of Ownership,” Articulated *The citizens of Oakridge, with our city government, support the respectful and productive use of private property. Because every citizen has a stake in our community and government, we remain committed to accessibility and radical transparency in city governance, so the rationale for governance decisions can be readily understood, and to our city’s being fiscally responsible, forward-thinking, and adaptive to undeniable constraints and emerging opportunities, in order to ensure long-term financial stability.* ##### Contrasting Visions Some residents envision an Oakridge where government safeguards equity through robust oversight, ensuring fairness for all. They dream of centralized planning weaving a unified future, where every resident’s needs are met with collective care. If possible, they would welcome the abolition of private property. Other residents cite Oakridge’s proud culture of ownership—of citizens owning their own plots of land, growing food and making things; and, even, sharing a sense of ownership over spots of irreplaceable beauty around town, though some are U.S. National Forest Service lands. They dream of a government that nurtures this culture, freeing citizens from the capricious demands of bureaucrats and leveraging tested programs that build personal capacity and household wealth, so more residents can become owners, fueling our town’s vitality. ##### 3. Where Do You Stand? On a scale of 1–5 (1 = I support a radical shift to collective ownership and the abolition of private property; 5 = I support preserving and expanding Oakridge’s culture of ownership to as many as possible), where do you stand? |←— 1 ———— 2 ————— 3 ————— 4 ————— 5 →| I support a                                                                                  I support radical shift to                                                                   preserving and to collective                                                                              expanding ownership and                                                                          Oakridge’s the abolition of                                                                          culture of private property.                                                              ownership to as                                                                                       many as possible. #### Mutual Aid ##### The Principle of Mutual Aid, Articulated *The citizens of Oakridge, with our government, champion volunteer-driven, resident-led initiatives, nurturing a culture where neighbors support one another; collaboratively prepare for emergencies to improve community resilience; and meet material needs with integrity, inclusivity, and respect for human dignity across a lifespan. We also work to retain emergency transportation and expand access to local medical care.* ##### Contrasting Visions Some residents dream of an Oakridge where government champions equitable access, erasing disparities with bold, coordinated care. They envision centralized services that weave a collective strength, ensuring a vibrant unity in which every neighbor can thrive. By contrast, other residents cite Oakridge’s proud history of mutual aid—of citizens meeting their own needs and helping their neighbors, building skills and relationships in the process, with informal networks of support open to everyone. These residents dream of an Oakridge where government avoids fostering learned helplessness through centralized control, keeping Oakridge’s resilient spirit alive. ##### 4. Where Do You Stand? On a scale of 1–5 (1 = I support a radical shift to centralized, ideally more equitable service provision; 5 = I support retaining and building on Oakridge’s ethos of mutual aid), where do you stand?” |←— 1 ———— 2 ————— 3 ————— 4 ————— 5 →| I support a                                                                 I support retaining radical shift                                                                    and building on to centralized,                                                          Oakridge’s ethos of ideally more                                                                           mutual aid. equitable service provision. ____ #### 5. What is going uniquely right within our city—even if the government isn’t the entity responsible for it? {Free-form answer} ___ #### 6. What ideas would you like to see the city government (or a particular committee) get behind and carry forward? {Free-form answer} ____ *Thank you for taking our survey.*