Around this time last year, Austin was abuzz with improvement ideas thanks to Vision 2020. Residents eventually submitted more than 4,000 ideas, which became the 10 big ideas Vision 2020 organizers and volunteers are working to implement by the end of this decade. It may not dominate the headlines as much any more, but Vision 2020 is still an important part of our community, and we believe more people need to volunteer to make those 10 ideas a reality.

The Top 10 committees are up and running, with some committees working to identify what they should accomplish and others with defined goals to pursue. About 300 residents are working in committees, according to Laura Helle, soon-to-be director of vision creation for Vision 2020.

Yet it’s a given that of those 300, only about half really attend the meetings, with more showing up once there is work to be done. What’s more, those 300 are many of the community and government leaders we’re accustomed to seeing plan for our community’s well being. While their efforts are commendable, we believe more than 300 volunteers should be involved in shaping our growing city of 24,718. More volunteers are needed to help identify goals, and many more volunteers are needed to do the actual work on these committees.

Even if residents aren’t hearing as much about Vision 2020, it’s time to help this project move forward. Vision 2020 will undoubtedly shape Austin’s future for years to come, and it will take many volunteers, many voices to ensure that future is bright for all.