Georgetown, ID

Last month our youth had the opportunity to attend a special youth training event that was held in Pocatello, Idaho. It was sponsored by Horizons and it gave teens a chance to learn important leadership skills, meet kids from other communities, and have a lot of fun. Unfortunately, only two teenagers from our neck of the woods opted to attend. One of these teens commented later that he couldn’t believe the youth from our communities missed out on this fantastic opportunity. He absolutely loved the weekend he spent in Pocatello and he thought it was a great chance to learn leadership skills that will benefit him the rest of this life. In his own words: “It was the best ten dollars I’ve ever spent!” (Our local Horizons group funded the rest of the cost of the youth training. ) Hopefully we’ll improve the attendance number next year if this same opportunity is presented.

You can click on the links below to see one of the activities that took place at this event. In the first video clip, Seth Sorensen of Bennington, Idaho is featured. We are very proud of this young man and his willingness to participate in this training.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7B3ds5t_Ck&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRwOELPA534&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VCOVTzQI3g&feature=channel

Recently our steering committee identified a need in our community, and then came up with a plan to make a positive difference. Like most small towns in our state, we are struggling with keeping local businesses going. As we weighed options concerning what would help, we decided that hosting a small business training seminar would promote hope and needed knowledge. We felt that bringing in this kind of training would inspire those who want to start up a small business. We were also hoping it would help those who are struggling to keep their current business afloat during these trying economic times.

To begin, we tried rounding up experts in this field. We were referred to the SBDC organization in Pocatello. They in turn referred us to ISU. Shortly after making contact, we met with a business consultant from ISU’s technical college, Jeff Hough. He helped us realize that we could do more good for our community by hosting a series of webinars, and monthly live broadcasts from ISU. That way several different topics pertinent to this training could be addressed.

Once a month from April through August, we will utilize the long-distance training equipment that our local high school possesses to access the live broadcasts. The high school principal was extremely supportive of this effort, and gave us the go ahead to use their facilities for free once a month. Weekly business training classes will be aired online as well during this same five month period.

We advertised through the local newspaper, The News Examiner, through our local radio station, KVSI, and hung fliers all over town, promoting this opportunity. As of last count, 24 people have signed up for this training. Thirteen of these individuals were able to attend our first live broadcast at the high school on Wednesday, April 14, 2010. Those who attended were excited by this opportunity that our Horizons group is providing. We are utilizing a portion of a training grant we were recently given to fund this training. Not only is this helping our community to see that we are capable of doing things to help bolster our flagging economy, but it is a chance for members of our steering committee to see that we can make a difference with all that we have learned from our Horizons training.

12. Sustaining action and creating structural change around community.

How will your community make decisions about seeking further resources to support its plans?

We are already looking in grants that would enhance some of our future plans, like building up the Great Western Trail that cuts through the heart of Georgetown. This will be an important tourist attraction in the future. We have also been in contact with the SBDC out of Pocatello and the Workforce Training from ISU, also in Pocatello to provide small business training.

Is a system in place to seek, receive, monitor and report on new resources to support community work?

Yes, we continue to touch base with each other during our monthly steering committee meetings.

Is a system in place to maintain contact with or to continue to work with other communities? With your Delivery Organization? In other partnerships?

We plan to contact nearby communities like Soda Springs, Preston, Grace, and possibly Garden City, Cokeville, and Afton to alert them to the availability of resources like the small business training webinars we are currently pulling together.

What new resources have been secured to assist the work of the community?

Both the SBDC and the Workforce Training Organization of ISU are on board with helping us pull together the small business training. We have contacted both resources, and have already met with the consultant from the Workforce Training Organization of ISU. Grants to improve our communities have also been applied for, and this process will continue.

8. Sustaining action and creating structural change around leadership

What is your community’s plan for maintaining a strong community leadership system?

We meet together monthly as a steering committee with the heads of each action committee. Topics of interest to our communities are discussed and plans of action are formulated on a monthly basis.

How can your community sustain the changes it has already made in its leadership?

By adding newcomers to each committee, and encouraging progress. We are also trying to get word out in our communities concerning the progress made.

What structural changes have been made in how the community does its work/makes decisions?

We are all working hard to improve our community in a variety of ways. By working together in action committees, we are finally seeing some important changes take place. Vibrant leaders in each action committee are moving forward with exciting new plans that will soon be placed into action. Majority votes aid in the decision making process.

What structural changes have been made so that your community leadership sustains partnerships with others?

We maintain close contact with the mayors of Georgetown and nearby Montpelier. We are also reaching out to important resources like the SBDC in Pocatello, and the Workforce Training Rep. from ISU.

A great opportunity is available to any of the youth in the Bennington, Nounan, and Georgetown areas. On April 23 & 24 a leadership training seminar will be held in Pocatello, Idaho. Workshops include the following:

Planning for Your Future

Leadership

Goal Setting

Youth Councils

Finances/Pay for College

And much more!

The keynote speaker is Jana Kemp, the 2010 Independent Candidate for Governor. A “Futures” Fair will also be held with representatives from colleges throughout the area.

Cost is $70.00 per student. The Horizons group from Georgetown, Bennington, and Nounan will be paying $60.00 of that fee, so the only out of pocket expense will be $10.00 per student. This will include food, lodging at the Rodeway Inn, and all activities and chaperone costs.

This is a great opportunity for high school students to gather with others throughout the state to learn what the future could hold. It is also something that would look impressive on future scholarship applications.

If you are interested, contact a member of the local Horizons group. You can also e-mail me at righter03@yahoo.com or call at 390-1942.

Hi all,

Just some information regarding the steering committee meeting that was to take place this week. It has been changed from the 10th of February to the 17th. =) It will be held at the same time: 7:00 p.m. Hope to see everyone there.

Yes, you heard it here first, a free webinar. The details are pasted in below.

On February 16, 2010, the University of Idaho Horizons program presents Growing Rural Philanthropy in Your Community, a free web-based seminar (or webinar) by Jessica Bearman, a nationally known consultant specializing in community philanthropy.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Debbie Gray                           dgray@uidaho.edu
Community Development Grants Coordinator
208.885.4017                              208.885.5759(fax)
UI Dept of Ag Economics & Rural Sociology

Since this month’s blog questions revolve around the efforts we’re making to reduce poverty in our communities, I decided to share what we’re doing to create an abundance of future community wealth. If you have any comments about any of this, feel free to comment below.

4.. Sustaining action and creating structural change around poverty

What structures have been changed that will enable your community to address poverty in the long term? We are currently striving to qualify for a substantial grant that will lead to new businesses for our area. The Great Western Trail runs through the heart of Georgetown and if we can develop that trail, it will encourage tourist interest, providing a need for new businesses in this region. A committee is forming that will learn to write grant proposals. And we are already taking steps to partner with successful businesses in the area.

How will you monitor and evaluate your community’s progress in reducing poverty? We will meet together monthly to compare notes and gauge our progress.

What community resources will be needed to sustain the community plan to reduce poverty? Local residents need to be supportive of what the steering committee is trying to do. We could also use new members and we will continue to contact people who live in our communities to get them involved in this positive effort.

What additional resources would make a difference in your community’s work to reduce poverty? If local businesses will agree to partner with our efforts in qualifying for the grant mentioned above (Great Western Trail) it will make a huge difference in what we’re trying to do. We have contacted Monsanto and Agrium, which are both important employers in our area. With their help, and the help of the Oregon Trail Center in Montpelier, and businesses located in Laketown and Garden City, we would be in a position to make a huge difference in our communities, providing opportunities for new jobs during a time when employment is difficult to obtain.

So, I really need to apologize for not posting anything during December. Among other things, one of my sisters was in a bad car wreck and I was out of town helping out. In way of good news, she’ll be fine. I’m certain this adventure took about 10 years off all of our lives, and totaled her car (an 85-year-old woman ran a stoplight and plowed into my sister head on going about 50 miles per hour), but we’re picking up the pieces and continuing on. Words to live by. That stated, here are the answers to December’s blogging questions. (Feel free to add your perspectives as desired.)

11. Taking action on community

In what ways is your community operating or working differently? In what new or expanded ways are people contributing to your community? The Steering committee meets on a monthly basis now to discuss our goals and make plans to accomplish all that we’re trying to do.

How are low income involved? Most of us aren’t wealthy who serve on the steering committee. We are all committed to making positive changes that will better our communities.

What structures have been created or changed that will help your community? We are in the early planning stages of these items. News that a historical trail (Great Western Trail) runs through our area has inspired plans for new businesses, including a possible gas station\convenience store, bed & breakfasts or motels to handle the tourists who will come through as a result, as well as other shops that would cater to tourists.

What new partnerships have been created, and what difference have they made for your community? Our new mayor is also the head of our steering committee, and I suspect this will play a huge part in aligning the town council with said steering committee.

Have you learned anything about how nearby communities like yours are taking action to reduce poverty? Yes, mostly through their community blogsites that are part of the Horizon’s effort.

Do you see any opportunities to exchange information or combine efforts in this work? Yes. In time and through this venue (blogsites) we will be able to communicate with other communities and learn from their successes and mistakes.

 Time to answer the questions posted for November from our illustrious Horizon leaders. Sorry this is late—I’m blaming Turkey Day. That said, here are our answers to these important questions:

7. Taking action on leadership

• How has your community leadership expanded? We have evolved into a governing steering committee complete with a president, treasurer, and other committee members who all work together to improve our communities.
• What changes have been made in who is now involved in leadership positions? We are constantly adding people to this committee. And in an interesting twist, the president of this steering committee is now the mayor of Georgetown.
• Are more people participating in leadership? Yes. Last year, this particular committee didn’t exist.
• Are different kinds of people (representing more sectors or parts of the community) now participating in community leadership? I believe so, yes.
• Does the community leadership reflect the community’s demographic profile? That is one of our goals.
• Are more low income people participating in community leadership? Since we live in an economically challenged area, the answer to this question would be in the affirmative.
• What changes have been made in the way your community recruits and trains new leaders? Sustains existing leaders? Most of those involved in this steering committee took part in last year’s Horizons Training. We have drawn extensively upon that training as we have worked together, making decisions that will impact our communities in the future.