Archive for the ‘08. Leadership: Structural Change’ Category

Business Support

Friday, April 4th, 2008

When you look at the income producing families in Hot Springs, we have an inordinate number of people who earn their living off of government in one way or another. Although I don’t have any official statistics, I have heard percentages as high as 70%. But, regardless of the percentage, given all the govenmental agencies — State Home, VA, HS school system, city and county government and various other state and federal agencies — the percentage is unusually high for our community. These people, assured of their income do not have to rely on a successful, vibrant business community and economic growth. Thus, they have a less than vested interest toward insuring that local business succeed. As a result, our hard working business men and women continually struggle to survive and we are threatened with more closed businesses and lack of economic development. These government people (many of them leaders in the drive to stifle economic initiatives and the negativity that pervades our community) must be conviced that a thriving business community and accelerated enhanced economic development is good for everyone.

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Support Activities for Youth

Thursday, February 21st, 2008

Do you want to help make Hot Springs a place where youth have opportunities for activities that help them enjoy life and fulfill their potential? We have an active Children & Youth Task Force working on exciting projects. Some of the objectives have been completed, but there is much to do, including fundraising for a Boys & Girls Club. There may be a place for you to help; you only have to ask.

Come to the Horizons community dinner Feb 21 at the American Legion (6 p.m., lasagne, good food, good people) and sign up for a team, or — if you can’t make it — leave a comment here with your contact information and someone will get in touch with you.
 

Goal One, Objective 1: improve and expand youth programs
in the community.Implementation Steps…………………………………………………….Completion Date 1. Research: Conduct interviews with schools in other communities
where successful after-school and Friday programs are in place ………. Ongoing

2. Survey students and families will to determine what type of activities
they would access………….……………..…1st Survey Completed, 2d Survey Pending

3. Interview city and county law enforcement about youth concerns
and possible cooperation. …………………………………………………………….. 10/30/07

4. Interview community YMCAs/Youth Clubs to explore implementation
in the community. …………………………………….……….………………………..… 11/06/07

5. Expand use of and access to school buildings by community groups …….12/01/07

6. Enhance support, throughout the community, for youth programs
and Summer Recreation Program s ………………………………………………. 01/31/08

7. Survey and bring together community partners who will work
to build youth programs…………………………………………………….. Started 10/30/07

8. Implement steps to exhibit youth-friendly culture of the community
to those within and outside the community. ……………………………………… Ongoing

9. Build into the infrastructure of the youth program, methods
to include low income youth and families……………………….………………… Ongoing

10. Secure funding to establish a food “Back Pack” program
for qualifying children. ………………………….………………………………………… Started

Methods Of Evaluation……………………………………………………Completion Date

1. The youth program will have visibility in the community, measured by news reports and personal contacts and feedback as in #2 and #3……………………………. 06/01/08

2. Start a youth column on the Hot Springs community blog site, and elicit comments…………………………………………………………….…. 02/01/08
3. Conduct a post survey and compare with original youth needs survey……. 05/1/08

4. The Horizon’s Children and Youth Taskforce Committee will continue
to meet on a regular basis to evaluate and encourage community youth activities ……………………………………………………………………………………….………………… Ongoing

Posted in 03. Poverty: Action, 04. Poverty: Structural Change, 06. Leadership: Skills and Mobilizing, 07. Leadership: Action, 08. Leadership: Structural Change, 10. Community: Skills and Mobilizing, Goal 1: Improve & Expand Youth Programs | No Comments »

Training

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008

We have had Leadership Plenty sessions conducted in HS — two, I think — but, as yet, there is no real visible and tangible results that can be pointed out as a result. I hope the steering committee can identify a project that the group(s) can take on and bring to fruition. Some low hanging fruit that can be touted as an early success.

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