Throughout the NBN2 Update Process, each sector committee has been encouraged to involve businesses, institutions, the faith community, youth and the senior citizen population, to name a few. City efforts have focused on promoting diversity within the sector committees, re-energizing neighborhood residents, recruiting volunteers and reaching out to new partners who will support the implementation phase. Building on the strengths, capacities and assets of the community is based on the principles and goals of the original NBN Planning Process.

What is the ultimate goal of the NBN Process?
To establish and maintain stable, healthy and diverse neighborhoods which are developed and sustained by citizens. The focus of this community visioning process has been to capitalize on the strengths and assets which residents and organizations contribute to their respective communities.

Who is involved in NBN?
The City of Rochester, Rochester City School District, neighborhood associations, businesses, private and parochial schools, churches, agencies, community groups, Monroe County, foundations and corporations are just some examples of those involved.

What effect has NBN had?
The NBN process has enabled residents, business people, and organizations to be the "planners" for their neighborhoods for the first time in the City’s history. Citizens continue to successfully shape our community. Our collective efforts have created a synergy, an unified approach to utilizing the assets and resources of our neighbors. Many stories reflect the successful reinvestment and renewal of our neighborhoods and renaissance vision.

What systems are in place to support the process?
Accountability is a key to NBN's success. With the multitude of activities included in the Sectors Action Plans, it became necessary to provide  technology and to create a marketing campaign to keep the community apprised of the ongoing accomplishments and successes of the sector areas, individually as well as comprehensively. To accomplish this, the NeighborLink Network, a technology initiative, was developed to monitor and track activities and to facilitate communication and coordination among NBN partners.

To help coordinate the activities between those City departments that have been identified in the action plans as implementing partners, an NBN Priority Council is established. Members of this Council include key representatives from each City Departments and the Rochester City School District. Members serve as coordinators and liaisons to the sector groups and report on activities and accomplishments. The NBN Institute, a City sponsored educational initiative, offers ongoing training and seminars on various topical areas to continue building the capacity of sector volunteers, general citizens and community stakeholders.

How has NBN been recognized?
NBN is continuously in the national spotlight as a Best Practice model, and City Administration staff are utilized as peer consultants for developing citizen participation processes in other communities.