May 13th, 2008 by MJ
Congrats to Andrea of Grangeville, she’s our weekly winner!
Thank you all for the interesting responses about your community and what makes it ‘unique’ to you compared to other rural communities in Idaho.
I grew up in a small farming community in Idaho near the Utah border and I still think about it every day, the views and colors and smells and intense farm work we did (pulling rye, driving around and around in a tractor for 12 hours a day, herding cattle, etc) helped shape my life and world view. It’s that sense of place that helps define who we are and how we relate to the world around us.
I hope you’re all getting comfortable and familiar with the blogging process. Mary, MJ and I thank you for all the time and hard work you’ve devoted to this part of Horizons and know it’s just a small part of what you are all doing in your communities.
Please let MJ (merijoz@uidaho.edu) or me (dgray@uidaho.edu) know if we can help you with any questions you might have about blogging.
A ‘how to blog’ handbook is now available on our Horizons website at http://extension.ag.uidaho.edu/horizons/coaches.htm at the very top of the page…
Reflective Questions:
As we near the ‘end’ of this phase of Horizons, take a moment to look back on the past 18 months to answer these questions.
Has your community sought any additional resources outside of Horizons for your projects?
How has your community partnered with communities and/or organizations beyond Horizons?
Scavenger Hunt Question: Which Horizons community has an organization sponsoring a ‘Volcano Breakfast’ and what IS a Volcano Breakfast?
This week’s winner will receive a copy of:
One Nation, Underprivileged: Why American Poverty Affects Us All / Mark Robert Rank
Rules: Post your answers on your blogsite by May 20 (midnight) and be entered in the drawing for one of our book titles…
NOTE: Please enter your answers as either a comment to the original question OR as a brand new entry on your blog so that the answers are easy for people to find.
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May 1st, 2008 by debbieg
Congrats to Christine of Kooskia, she’s our weekly winner! Thank you to all who have recently signed up and started blogging.
Please let MJ or me know if we can help you with any questions you might have about blogging.
Reminder: MJ has created a ‘how to blog’ handbook that is now available on our Horizons website at http://extension.ag.uidaho.edu/horizons/coaches.htm at the very top of the page… Thanks MJ!
Also, for those communities that may be looking for a little more training, please contact MJ at merijoz@uidaho.edu / 208-885-8949 to see how she can help you.
Rules: Post your answers on your blogsite by May 6 by midnight and be entered in the drawing for one of our book titles…
NOTE: Please enter your answers as either a comment to the original question OR as a brand new entry on your blog so that the answers are easy for people to find.
Reflective Questions:
What is something unique about your Horizons community that you’d like to share with the rest of the world? What makes your community different from the one right down the road? Is it a strength your community can capitalize on or a burden you have to bear? Or both? For example, Sun Valley has the beautiful landscape, ski resorts, etc. but the tourism industry has also left behind many local people who are now unable to afford to live in the town they work in…
Scavenger Hunt Question: This week the scavenger hunt is a simple assignment. Find an entry on one of the Horizons community blogs (or even your own blog) and leave a comment to the author. It’s fun to give and get feedback about things we’re doing and talking about.
This week’s winner will receive:
The working poor: invisible in America by David K. Shipler
And
Building Communities From the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community’s Assets by John P. Kretzmann and John L. McKnight.
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April 24th, 2008 by debbieg
Congrats to Mountain Mama of Kendrick/Juliaetta, she’s our weekly winner! Even though she took me to task for forgetting about those of you in remote areas with only dial-up internet access… she persevered after many grueling hours on the scavenger hunt! I will definitely keep in mind your technology limits in the future…
MJ has created a ‘how to blog’ handbook that is now available on our Horizons website at http://extension.ag.uidaho.edu/horizons/coaches.htm at the very top of the page… Thanks MJ!
Also, for those communities that may be looking for a little more training, please contact MJ at merijoz@uidaho.edu / 208-885-8949 to see how she can help you.
Rules: Post your answers on your blogsite by Tuesday, April 29 by midnight and be entered in the drawing for one of our book titles…
NOTE: Please enter your answers as either a comment to the original question OR as a brand new entry on your blog so that the answers are easy for people to find.
Reflective Questions:
• Looking back, what is one (or more) skill or leadership trait you have developed from participating in Horizons (maybe from Study Circles or LeadershipPlenty or from the hands on work going on in your communities right now)? How has participation in the program changed you? What about your community? Are there specific examples of things happening in your community that wouldn’t have happened without Horizons?
• Bonus reflective question: How has the blogging experienced affected you? (please edit any inappropriate language, hahaha trust me, I feel your pain!!)
Scavenger Hunt Question:
• Which of the Idaho Horizons community blogs has information about April being Child Abuse Awareness month? This website also provides information about Youth Suicide Prevention.
The winner will receive:
Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World: Building Your Resources for a Better Life by Philip E. DeVol
And
Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High by Kerry Patterson, et al
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April 19th, 2008 by debbieg
Rules: Post your answers on your blogsite by Tuesday, April 22 by midnight and be entered in the drawing for one of our book titles…
NOTE: Please enter your answers as either a comment to the original question OR as a brand new entry on your blog so that the answers are easy for people to find.
Reflective Questions:
- What’s next in Horizons for your community? Are your Action Teams planning activities in the next 2 months? How do those activities relate to the 3 legs of Horizons: Poverty reduction, Leadership Development and Community Mobilization?
Scavenger Hunt Question:
- Let’s broaden our scavenger hunt world a little… Of the other Horizons states, which one has interesting information about using Chicken Tractors to help maintain community gardens? Check out the link section of the Idaho Horizons Blog that lists the blog addresses for Montana, NorthDakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa Horizons. Feel free to explore and be inspired by other community groups just like yours!
This week’s winner will receive a copy of each of the following books:
The Working Poor: Invisible in America by David K. Shipler
Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World: Building Your Resources for a Better Life by Philip E. DeVol
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April 10th, 2008 by MJ
Rules: Post your answers on your blogsite by Tuesday, April 15 by midnight and be entered in the drawing for one of our book titles…
NOTE: Please enter your answers as either a comment to the original question OR as a brand new entry on your blog so that the answers are easy for people to find.
Reflective Questions:
- What words of wisdom would you give to a community just starting a program like Horizons?
- Words of warning?
- What kind of changes in their community and its leadership might they expect?
- What kind of changes in themselves might they expect?
Scavenger Hunt Question:
- Which community’s chamber of commerce recently met with high school youth to work together to involve more youth in the community?
This week’s winner will get to choose ONE of the following books:
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You by John Maxwell
Or
Leadership for the Common Good: Tackling Public Problems in a Shared-Power World by Barbara Crosby and John Bryson
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April 8th, 2008 by katie
The following meetings are scheduled for the Quad City communities. Please remember you are welcome to be a part of any of these meetings.
**April 10 - 6:oo-8:00 PM - Steering Committee - Multi-purpose
Room in Community Center
April 15 - 630-8:30 PM - Intergenerational Action Team - Multi-
Purpose Room in Community Center
April 18 - 7:00-9:00 PM - Communication, Coordination,
Celebration Action Team - Angie’s
Crafts
April 22 - 7:00 PM - Welcome to the Prairie Action Team -
Guest Dining Room - St. Gertrude’s
Monastery
**PLEASE NOTE — THE APRIL 10TH STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING HAS BEEN CHANGED TO THURSDAY, APRIL 17TH 6-8 PM IN COMMUNITY CENTER MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM. SORRY FOR THE CHANGE — ALL ACTION TEAM CO-CHAIRS, PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND. THANK YOU
Posted in 09. Community: Knowledge and Awareness | No Comments »
April 7th, 2008 by katie
Please note the following classes to be held at Angie’s in downtown Cottonwood.
April 12 - Saturday - 9:30-4:30 PM - Water Color Class
April 17 - Thursday - 6:30-8:30 PM - “All Wired Up” - Wire Wapping Class
April 24 - Thursday - 6:30-8:30 PM - Beaded Bracelet Class
May 1 - Thursday - 6:30-8:30 PM - Polymer Clay Class
May 8 - Thursday - 6:30-8:30 PM - Earring Class
May 15 - Thursday - 6:30-8:30 PM - Beaded Bracelet Watch Class
May 22 - Thursday - 6:30-8:30 PM - “All Wired Up” - Wire Wrapping Class
Note: Some classes have a minimum number before they are taught. One such class is “Fly Tying.” We need ten people to sign up before it can be held. It lasts six weeks (one night per week). If this one interests you, please call and let Angie know.
These classes are open to all who are interested. Please give Angie a call at 962-7727 to find out more information about these classes.
Those of you who are artisans and would like to offer a class to others in our community, please let Angie know this.
Posted in 11. Community: Action | No Comments »
April 7th, 2008 by katie
Living in poverty means that within our immediate area we don’t always have the funds, the expertise, and/or community initiatives established in order to better our environment for everyone. Poverty doesn’t mean just in terms of money either. It can effect communities socially, and emotionally also. What has changed my definition of ‘poverty’ within this last year is that with Horizons coming to our community, we now have more people within the community who really desire to see changes take place in our area. For example, our Intergenerational Action Team is working on two very large projects — one is the building of an Assisted Living Center and the other is improvements for our community center to help it become more versitle in the way it can be utilized. There is a lot of talent within our Quad Cities who can help see our visions become a reality. It takes dedication, hard work, and cooperation which I believe are attributes of many of our community members. We are all busy, however, we all have the capability to give some of our time to improve our community.
The support and enthusisam of the coaches has been very beneficial to all the teams. A big thank you to our coach, Kathee Tifft whose ideas and encouragement keep us going! Does our commuity think differently about poverty now? Yes, I think so based on how we are working together more and supporting one another — working for common goals — visions!
The community that will be having a FREE concert on April 23rd is the Coeur d’Alene Reservation.
Posted in 01. Poverty: Knowledge and Awareness | No Comments »
April 6th, 2008 by MJ
Rules: Post your answers on your blogsite by Tuesday, April 8 by midnight and be entered in the drawing for a fabulous prize.
Reflective Questions: What does the phrase ‘living in poverty’ mean to you? How has your definition of ‘poverty’ changed in the past year? Does your community think differently about poverty now? How can you tell?
Scavenger Hunt Question: Which community (in partnership with ComBAT (Community Based Access to Technology)) will be having a FREE concert on April 23, 2008?
This week’s winner will get to choose ONE of the following books:
One Nation, Underprivileged, Why American Poverty Affects Us All / Mark Robert Rank
or
Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community / Robert D. Putnam.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
April 6th, 2008 by MJ
Rules: Post your answers on your blogsite by Tuesday, April 8 by midnight and be entered in the drawing for a fabulous prize.
Reflective Questions: What does the phrase ‘living in poverty’ mean to you? How has your definition of ‘poverty’ changed in the past year? Does your community think differently about poverty now? How can you tell?
Scavenger Hunt Question: Which community (in partnership with ComBAT (Community Based Access to Technology)) will be having a FREE concert on April 23, 2008?
This week’s winner will get to choose ONE of the following books:
One Nation, Underprivileged, Why American Poverty Affects Us All / Mark Robert Rank
or
Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community / Robert D. Putnam.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
March 27th, 2008 by MJ
Congratulations to Judi from UpRiver, winner of week 1!Rules:
Post your answers on your blogsite by Tuesday, April 1 (no jokes about April Fool’s day!) at midnight and be entered in the drawing for a fabulous prize. Reflective Question: How is your community thinking about/planning for sustainability after the end of the Horizons program on June 30? What will Horizons-related groups look like in your community in one year? Are you optimistic/worried? (relieved?) Scavenger Hunt Question: Which community has been approved to receive a $65,000 Idaho Community Development Block Grant for work on their city water reservoir? HINT: don’t forget to check ‘previous entries’ (the link at the bottom of the blog page, or check archives in the column on the right) This week’s winner will receive BOTH of the following books: The Magic of Dialogue : Transforming Conflict into Cooperation by Daniel YankelovichPopulation: 485 –Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time by Michael Perry
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
March 27th, 2008 by MJ
Congratulations to Judi from UpRiver, winner of week 1!Rules:
Post your answers on your blogsite by Tuesday, April 1 (no jokes about April Fool’s day!) at midnight and be entered in the drawing for a fabulous prize. Reflective Question: How is your community thinking about/planning for sustainability after the end of the Horizons program on June 30? What will Horizons-related groups look like in your community in one year? Are you optimistic/worried? (relieved?) Scavenger Hunt Question: Which community has been approved to receive a $65,000 Idaho Community Development Block Grant for work on their city water reservoir? HINT: don’t forget to check ‘previous entries’ (the link at the bottom of the blog page, or check archives in the column on the right) This week’s winner will receive BOTH of the following books: The Magic of Dialogue : Transforming Conflict into Cooperation by Daniel YankelovichPopulation: 485 –Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time by Michael Perry
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
March 20th, 2008 by MJ
Post your answers on your blogsite by Tuesday, March 25 at midnight and be entered in the drawing for a fabulous prize. This week’s prize—the weekly winner can choose from one of these book titles
Building Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community’s Assets - John P. Kretzmann
Teaching the Commons: Place, Pride, and the Renewal of Local Schooling - Paul Theobald
The Questions:
1. A reflective question–What do you think of Horizons blogging? What do you like, what do you dislike? What can the UI Horizons Team do to help improve the blogging experience?
2. A scavenger hunt question (visit other community blogsites to find this answer) What is a PUG Mark and in which community would you find them?
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March 16th, 2008 by katie
This Monday, March 17th, the Prairie Horizons Steering Committee will meet at 6:00 pm in the multi-purpose room at City Hall. Budgeting will be discussed and all co-chairs are asked to bring their needs to this meeting.
Tuesday, March 18th, the Intergenerational Action Group will meet at 6:30 pm in the multi-purpose room at City Hall. Please bring your reports regarding your visits to assigned community center or assisted living center with you. Everyone is welcome to attend and share your ideas, thoughts, and questions. These are two very large projects which need more help from more people within our Quad City communities.
Posted in 07. Leadership: Action, 11. Community: Action, 12. Community: Structural Change | No Comments »
February 10th, 2008 by katie
On February 27th, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Spirit Center at St. Gertrude’s Monastery, the University of Idaho Extension will provide free training on community center development.
Anyone in the North Central Idaho Horizons communities including Cascade, Riggins, Grangeville, Cottonwood, Keuterville, Greencreek, Ferdinand, Kooskia, Stites, Pierce, Weippe, Kamiah, and Orofino are invited to attend.
This training will help community members recognize opportunities and challenges for building a community center as well as how to plan, design, fund, and operate a community center.
Craig Smith, deputy director of Rural Development Initiatives out of Portland, OR will lead the training. Crait has considerable experience and education in non-profit and business development, community organization, and fund acquisition.
The training is FREE and open to all members of Horizons communities, as well as other interested rural Idaho residents. Lunch will be provided to those attending the Cottonwood event.
Those planning to attend are asked to contact Meri Joswiak, Horizons program assistant by email at merijoz@uidaho.edu or by telephone at (208) 885-8949.
For additional information about the Horizons program go to this website http://extension.ag.uidaho.edu/horizons/training regional.htm
Posted in 09. Community: Knowledge and Awareness, 11. Community: Action | 1 Comment »
