"Konnichiwa"

The Ikimachi hosted Deborah and Ted from the Main Street Program, USA

"To see worth 100 times more than just to hear."
A Japanese old saying tells us. So the Ikimachi Club hosted 2 experts from
the Main Street Program of the United States, to learn from their
experiences on downtown revitalization based on local assets.

As a growing non-profit organization. it is important for the Ikimachi Club to share a clear vision among the members, local residents and merchants.
Every program should be regarded as a method to realize the shared vision, under the mission statement, and should be strategically planned.

The Main Street program has history of 25 years and has been pretty
successful. It respects local people and historic assets.
Their activities are based upon their original four point approach; organization, design, promotion and economic development. Comprehension is the key word.

Even though it is very American, there are a lot we can learn from them,
such as how a non profit organization sustain itself, get enough funding,
keep giving incentive to volunteers, keep itself motivated.

With the funding from The Center for Global Partnership (CGP), we hosted
Deborah Cash from San Luis Obispo CA and Ted Alexander from Shelby NC,
(http://www.cityofshelby.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=cityadmin). Through series
of seminars and public symposium and entertainments from 17th to 21st
January, we learned a lot and developed great friendship with the guests. On his leave Ted described
the week as one of the 12 best experiences in his life, and Deborah
described as this.

We all hope more and more to come.

(by Shunji Suzuki, Ikimachi Club)