Introduction 

The Better Housing Consortium’s second meeting was a Visioning Workshop that started at 2:00 PM with introductions. Attendees included consortium members, faculty, and other stakeholders, all enthusiastic to engage in a forward-thinking dialogue about the future of housing in Kansas. 

Housing Ecosystem Discussion 

At 2:30 PM, the first activity proposed a discussion of the housing ecosystem using a Miro Board to visualize current and future engagement. This interactive session allowed participants to map out the existing engagement efforts and brainstorm future opportunities. The use of the Miro Board facilitated a dynamic and collaborative discussion, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the housing ecosystem. This board will continue to evolve as we engage different stakeholders and add depth to the topic in future meetings. 

Affinity Exercise 

The workshop continued at 3:30 PM with an affinity exercise, where faculty members shared their expertise and interests. This segment explored the potential for new faculty involvement, new capabilities, and areas of expertise that could be beneficial to the consortium. Participants discussed collaboration paths, including curriculum integration, course engagements, and various partnership types. The exercise highlighted the wealth of knowledge within the consortium and identified key areas for collaboration. The consortium will analyze the results of this exercise and propose a few relevant affinity groups that will allow for those interested in exploring specific topics to engage more frequently with like-minded colleagues in virtual sessions mediated by the consortium’s coordinators or affiliates. 

Looking Ahead: Next Year’s Goals 

At 4:30 PM, the meeting wrapped up with a look toward the future. The discussion included a call for projects to be featured on the consortium’s website, outlining goals and scheduling workshops for the upcoming year. This segment was crucial in setting a clear direction and actionable plans for the consortium’s initiatives, ensuring continued progress and engagement. 

In sum 

The Visioning Workshop was a success, leaving participants inspired and equipped with a clear roadmap for the year ahead. Stay connected with the Better Housing Consortium for more updates and opportunities to get involved in our mission to enhance housing across Kansas!