OMAHA, Neb.

The Greater Omaha Chamber, United Way of the Midlands and Urban League of Nebraska launched a collaboration Tuesday called Strategic 4Sight.

The three groups hired a futurist, Rebecca Ryan, with NEXT Generation Consulting out of Madison, Wisconsin. Through a series of workshops, Ryan will help identify where Omahas headed in the next 20 years and how to ensure a strong future in areas like economic growth, poverty and diversity.

Do some trend research. Try and figure out those things that are probably going to be happening over the next 20 years that will impact us as a community or impact the economy, David Brown, with the Greater Omaha Chamber, said. We have to figure out if those are really things that are going to be important to us and how were going to respond.

The three organizations hope by collaborating, theyll be able to put their minds together and focus on different issues.

"Some of them might fall in education, some of them might fall in race relations, some of them might fall in alleviating poverty, Brown said. So, areas where [the Greater Omaha Chamber doesnt] have mission, but United Way and Urban League do."

Ryan will present her findings in November. Before that happens, young professionals and community members are encouraged to attend workshops and give their input.

Ryan said Omaha is the first community to hire a resident futurist.

"We can be a receptive or a receiver of change, or we can be a causer of change, Brown said. I think this futurist piece enables us to kind of wake up in the morning and realize we're going to think about what's happening down the road. We're going to be prepared for it or we're going to cause it to happen."

The first workshop will focus on nonprofit leaders and is taking place at the Greater Omaha Chamber from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you wish to attend, you must register by contacting the chamber.

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'Strategic 4Sight' collaboration to path Omaha's future - KETV Omaha