Community Data Initiative:
One way citizens can become connected and inspired to create a better community is by orienting around data. Since its beginnings in 2001, SCOPE has devoted itself to bringing the community of Sarasota County together around data through:
- Annual community report cards
- People Count reports of census data, and
- Study group reports on various community challenges.
Through these efforts, people who live and work throughout Sarasota County have joined together to clarify and reflect upon local, present-day realities. In these ways, the community has been able to better identify next steps and take action for positive change.
In 2010, SCOPE conducted a review of local community data efforts conducted over the past decade and generated a data resource known as the Community Indicators “Deck of Cards,” which combined trend-line and GIS mapped data for a subset of indicators across the various domains of community well-being. It also initiated a community “rebooting” process in order to clarify community indicators that matter most to people in Sarasota County, and to facilitate the formation and development of a Community Data Collaborative.
Over the course of 2011 and 2012, SCOPE facilitated a series of six workshops throughout Sarasota County. The purpose of these workshops was to increase awareness of local community data resources, gather the perspectives of people who live and work throughout Sarasota County, and increase the involvement of local citizens in the Community Data Collaborative.
The Community Data Collaborative is now working to develop a user-friendly, neighbor-centric online community data platform with regularly updated community data that is accessible to everyone, to inform decision-making and action of residents as well as professionals across sectors throughout Sarasota County. For more information about the Community Data Collaborative, please visit their website here, or contact Colleen McGue at cmcgue@scopexcel.org
Life Is Good in Sarasota County - Community Video Campaign
The Life Is Good in Sarasota County gallery below shares a few of the stories from your neighbors, friends and fellow residents of Sarasota County. Check it out and submit your own!
We hope this video campaign inspires you to think about the kinds of life experiences that mean something special to you; it will contribute to the efforts of the Community Data Collaborative as we go forward, documenting what is vital to the quality of life among residents of our area.
