The Assignment

Here was the original assignment our team was given:

- Each group will randomly select a topic of general community interest or need to investigate. 
- National topics like abortion, the war in Iraq, the death penalty, etc. are best left to a national debate; think closer to home as much as possible.
- Your topic must be regional, something of importance to the entire Valley of the Sun or at least a large local city, not just a single neighborhood.  A statewide issue here in Arizona is also acceptable.
- The topic should have inherent controversy and disagreement; part of the experience is learning to hold a dialogue about ideas and with people outside your personal comfort zone and sphere of influence.
- Matters of settled law are less interesting for this process; an already approved freeway or piece of public art are less suitable than, for example, proposed expansion of the light rail system or the future use of tax credits for economic development.
- Pick a topic that will force you to conduct one-on-one interviews with Valley Leadership alumni and other community leaders.  Reading newspaper articles or someone else’s written report is only part of the process; we want you to engage with other leaders.