Our Strategic Initiatives
These are the advocacy campaigns that Overland Park Voice has adopted as our organizational focus. Each initiative perfectly aligns with our core values of being collaborative, accessible, data-driven, and results-oriented.
Note: These are distinct from the community-driven initiatives we help launch through our Community Launchpad. The initiatives below represent our organization's strategic priorities for creating systemic change in Overland Park.
How Our Values Guide Our Initiatives
Every initiative we adopt must demonstrate alignment with all four of our core principles:
Collaborative
Building bridges, not walls
Accessible
Lowering barriers to participation
Data-Driven
Transparent data + personal stories
Results-Oriented
Achievable goals with real impact
Current Initiatives
Our active advocacy campaigns focused on making local government more accessible and responsive.
Government Transparency
Making City Hall Accessible to All Residents
The Challenge
Many residents don't know who represents them, when meetings occur, or how to participate in local government. This creates barriers to civic engagement, especially for working families and renters.
Our Approach
- Comprehensive local government directory
- Clear meeting schedules and participation guides
- Simplified ward finder tools
- Accessible contact information for all officials
Values Alignment
Current Status & Next Steps
✓ Completed
Website infrastructure and design
🔄 In Progress
Gathering official contact information
📋 Planned
Ward finder tool development
Housing Task Force
Ensuring Housing Remains Affordable for Our Community Workforce
The Challenge
While 38% of Overland Park residents are renters, formal city engagement structures primarily serve homeowners. Rising housing costs threaten to price out the teachers, retail workers, and healthcare staff who power our local economy.
Our Approach
- Advocate for a Housing Advisory Commission
- Include renters, landlords, and housing advocates
- Provide formal input on housing-related policies
- Present data-driven testimony to city council
Values Alignment
Current Status & Next Steps
✓ Completed
Research and data analysis
🔄 In Progress
Public testimony and advocacy
📋 Planned
Commission proposal development
Future Strategic Initiatives
These represent our planned expansion as we establish our foundation and grow our community engagement.
Fiscally Responsible Growth
Ensuring Public Investments Benefit the Entire Community
The Focus
Advocating for development and budget policies that prioritize community needs, sustainable growth, and equitable distribution of public resources across all neighborhoods and demographics.
Key Areas
- Budget transparency and community input
- Sustainable development practices
- Equitable infrastructure investment
- Long-term financial planning
Values Alignment
Empowering Community Stewards
Scaling Our Model to Build Civic Leadership
The Vision
Create a network of trained community advocates who can effectively engage with local government, run for office, and lead their own neighborhood initiatives with proper support and resources.
Program Elements
- Civic leadership training programs
- Mentorship for aspiring candidates
- Resource library for advocacy tools
- Ongoing support network
Values Alignment
Join Our Strategic Efforts
These initiatives require community support to succeed. Whether you have 5 minutes or 5 hours to contribute, there's a meaningful way for you to help advance these strategic priorities.