February Questions for Bloggers
We are challenged by the state administrative leadership to address these questions in the course of our February blogging. What say you?
Category 3: Taking action on poverty
What kinds of concrete steps are being taken by your community to address poverty?
How did your community make choices about the actions most likely to have an impact on poverty?
How are low income involved?
How does your plan for poverty reduction link with existing leaders, groups and organizations?
What other partnership will help your community carry out its poverty reduction plan?
Category 7: Taking action on leadership
How has your community leadership expanded?
What changes have been made in who is now involved in leadership positions?
ü Are more people participating in leadership?
ü Are different kinds of people (representing more sectors or parts of the community) now participating in community leadership?
ü Does the community leadership reflect the community’s demographic profile?
ü Are more low income people participating in community leadership?
What changes have been made in the way your community recruits and trains new leaders? Sustains existing leaders?
February 12th, 2008 at 9:51 am
These challenging questions initially bring on a cloud of depression, in that these large kinds of change don’t show results very quickly.
Poverty reduction? Other than making the low-cost houses more available?
As to action on leadership, at the least, we can say that the group working on the Boys&Girls Club do represent a wider cross-section of the community with several individuals participating in new roles. This is a very positive sort of community leadership.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
The task forces brought out a more marked awareness of poverty and the need for it to be addressed. The task forces targeted the major contributors to poverty situations such as jobs, housing, youth , health and resources.
People that deal with low income have become involved so that they may have a voice and be proactive in making change. The Children and Youth Group with which I am affiliated, are in the process of partnering with organizations and individuals who can provide some sort of support to build a Boys and Girls Club.
As for myself, I would have never probably been involved in community efforts if it had not been for Horizons. As I live at the Evans, it makes me a part of poverty trying to live on disability. I know though that I can help to make a difference.
Leadership Plenty is a good program to help us become better leaders and build our confidence.
Horizons is a once in a lifetime chance for this community to build a better future. We do not have to be professional planners, politicians or people who own businesses etc. We just need to be willing to roll up our sleeves and care about our neighbors.
March 9th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Hello, my name is Lisa Schaefer. I am a Hot Springs native and live in Dell Rapids SD, just north of Sioux Falls. I would like someone to contact me about how I can help with two of these plans - the economic/entrepreneur and the health care/hospital projects. I have a background in journalism, public relations, marketing and fundraising, and if there’s anything I can do to help make these dreams a reality for Hot Springs residents, I would be glad to help.
You can email me at lisaschaefer_77@yahoo.com, or call me at home (605) 428-6125. Thank you.
Lisa (Umiker) Schaefer
206 Sunset Circle
Dell Rapids, SD 57022
605-428-6125
lisaschaefer_77@yahoo.com