Kooskia, ID

cooptrainingflyerfinal1.pdf

Here is another training, although geared towards the artisans, it is useful for others as well.

have fun!

QED a private, research and evaluation-consulting practice that is working within the Horizon’s program conducting panel interviews for the past 2 years has selected Linda Martin of Kooskia as one of the winning panelists. The prize, a charitable donation of $500 for participating in the Horizons panel study interviews will be going to an organization called Communities Creating Connections.

Communities Creating Connections is  the non-profit organization that founded the Kooskia Technology Center. Under their guidance the tech center offers an array of services to underserve citizens of the Kooskia region.

Vincent Martinez, site coordinator states, “I am honored to be selected and to give this money to the Kooskia Technology Learning Center for volunteer staff stipend. Communitites Creating Connections (CCC) is the non-profit who sponsors such a great program. Thank you.”

For more information about Communities Creating Connections or the Clearwater Valley Outreach Center call Martinez at the Clearwater Valley Outreach Center (208) 926-7085. 

Congrats to Judy of Cascade, she’s our weekly winner!  Thanks to all the new bloggers who’ve signed up.  If you’re part of the steering committee, hopefully these questions will help you work on the final report that is due June 30. Please let us know if you have any questions about the blog or the report.There is a Blogging Handbook available on our Horizons website at http://extension.ag.uidaho.edu/horizons/coaches.htm at the very top of the page… Thanks to MJ for writing this beginner’s guide! 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, June 3 by midnight and be entered in the drawing for one of our book titles… I will be at a conference May 27-30 so this will give you a whole extra week…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:

•  Of all the things you have done during the last 18 months in the Horizons program, of what are you most proud? 

Scavenger Hunt Question:·         Which Idaho Horizons community is working with the University of Idaho to help with their vision to “rebuild a community center to assist local families fight back against the ravages of poverty. They are looking to the future when they will have a center that provides central business offices for the city, a town library and public computers with Internet accessibility, expanded recreational facilities for youth and adults, a hall for future leadership and life skills training.”The winner will receive a copy of the book: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People will Follow You by John C. Maxwell.

Kamiah, ID - Upper Clearwater Community Foundation is pleased to announce the Kamiah Pool Scholarship Project. This scholarship program is funded by a grant from the Inland Northwest Community Foundation.

The purpose of the Pool Scholarship Project is to afford families within the Kooskia and Kamiah school service areas the opportunity to enjoy the community pool regardless of their economic status. The recipients of the scholarships, as a season pass holder, will be entitled to daily access to the pool, family swim, lap swim, night swim, teen swim and other pool activities as well as one free swimming lesson class.

The Pool Scholarship Project will provide 162 low/moderate income families with scholarships to attend the Kamiah city pool during the 2008 season. Scholarship applications will be distributed May 22 through the Kooskia and Kamiah schools and will be available at Davis Communications at on Hwy 12. Applications will be accepted on Tuesday, May 27 beginning at 6:30 p.m. on a first come, first served basisat the Kamiah Welcome Center located at 518 Main Street. When completed applications are dropped off proof of income such as 3 months of pay stubs or 2007 tax return or summary statement from the unemployment office; proof of residency such as a utility bill; and social security cards or birth certificates will be required to verify eligibility. This information is required for all household members.

The scholarships will be given on a first come, first served basis and those awarded will be notified by mail. Having access to the pool is important to the community in preventing drownings in the Clearwater River. The family pass will create an avenue for the families to play together throughout the summer. We are expecting families to bond, build community connections, have physical activity for children, participate in alternative activities for youth and adults and have recreational opportunities with access to a safe and supervised environment during the summer months.

The Life Center has stepped forward to contribute to the project as well. They will provide busing from Stites and Kooskia to the Kamiah Pool two days a week during the summer months. More details will be released as information becomes available. Christine McNall, project director states “This an exciting beginning of a new scholarship program for youth activities in the area. This very generous grant from Inland Northwest Community Foundation has allowed us new momentum in giving scholarships to area youth who would like to participate in community activities but do not have the means to do so.” Although KYRA has given scholarships in the past this fund will enable youth access to more youth activities. If you would like to donate to the new youth activity scholarship fund please send your contributions to UCCF noting scholarship fund on your check. You may earmark your donation for KYRA, Pool Passes, or other.

The address is U.C.C.F. - PO Box 73, Kamiah, ID 83536. 

“It is truly wonderful to see our community come together with projects such as this. To afford families in the Clearwater Valley access to the pool is exciting. The scholarships are widely needed and I think we will see more people at the pool enjoying the hot summer days. I, for one, am grateful to the Inland Northwest Community Foundation for such a wonderful gift. I hope we can come together and continue the scholarship project next year with local fundraisers.” – Christine McNall 

 “I think that the pool scholarships will provide a great opportunity for our area youth to be able to swim in the pool daily if they choose. I also feel that the scholarships will help the KAP summer program due to the fact that we require children who are older enough to be in the big pool to have a season pass so that we are able to take the children to the pool and this is an additional financial burden on some families. I just think that our community and the area communities will benefit all the way around. Good job and thank you for your hard work for the community.” -Vickie Jackson, Kamiah After-school Program Coordinator  

“The Save the Pool Committee is extremely pleased with the receipt of this grant.  Not only will it help 150 local families, it will help to ensure the pool stays open another year.  It goes to show what good things can be accomplished when we all work together as a team.  I hope to see the team effort continue.” – Sharlene Johnson, Save the Pool Committee member.

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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.

Just a reminder to the Steering Committee-
We have a meeting on Tuesday, May 13th at 6:30 at Valley Bible Church. Please plan on attending as we are closing in on the end of Horizons as we know it and have much to discuss. See you there!

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.

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

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

I just wanted to inform you of some upcoming trainings that will be taking place that might be beneficial to you!

Blog Training: April 18, 2008 from 2-5 p.m. at the Kooskia Technology Center. This would be beneficial to anyone who is going to do any type of blogging. The class is free, but space is limited, so if you would like to attend, reserve your spot at 926-7848.

Event Planning Workshop: April 24, 2008 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Kooskia City Hall.

View Shed presentation on the Scenic byway on April 22nd and 23rd at Kamiah Chamber and Kooskia City hall.

Board training: May 12, 2008 from 10-5 at Cottonwood St. Gertrude’s. Lunch will be $8.00. If you’re on the board of any organization this would be a great training to attend. You do need to register by calling Ellen at 842-2939.

Community Potluck in Kooskia at the park on May 17, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. There will be a presentation of 2 Degrees Northwest.

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

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.

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   

Question 1-
I think Horizons blogging has been a great way to get information to our Kooskia Horizons community as well as other local communities that we are connected to. I think we need to have a link to the city of Kooskia to have our information read by those who may not be in Horizons. Also get word out to our local communities that Horizons has a blog and give directions to get there. To improve the blog, we could use more authors. Kooskia Horizons is sponsoring another blogging class locally on April 18th, from 2:00-5:00 at the Kooskia Technology Center. For more information or to sign up for the class, call 926-7848.
Question 2-
A PUG Mark is found in Kendrick/Julietta. A new service group leaves these for others to see. When you find one, you know that someone is performing “Random Acts of Kindness” for the community.

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?

Communication, communication, communication..
Nothing happens without Communication. Communication is one of the keys to keeping the momentum going to address the issues of poverty in our community. We are communicating through e-mail, blogs, flyers in the local adds, phone trees, newspaper articles, community bulletin boards, and community resource guide. This is not only for Kooskia, and Stites. We are seeking to incorporate and cooperate with other communities so that we do not try to reinvent the wheel that someone else has already done. So… keep the lines of communication open.

It is always one of the critical points of solving a problem.

When asked about how something is going to be funded, one of the immediate responses is “grants”. But what does this entail? And what happens after you get a grant – grant administration, what is that? In March, two Kooskia residents will be attending a 3-day grant writing class along with other Horizon communities to learn these answers and more. When they are done, they along with fellow newly trained “grant writers” from neighboring communities, will return home and conduct local workshops to develop grant writing teams. And then an informed decision can be made as to if indeed grants are a viable solution to SOME of our needs.

Not long ago I attended what was billed as a “Kooskia Visioning Rally” to which all Kooskia residents and nearby neighbors were invited. The stated purpose of this rally was to arrive at a shared vision of the future of Kooskia and everyone was encouraged to participate. Almost 100 people attended and a “vision” was arrived at. It’s understood that such a vision is a flexible concept, open to adjustment and amendment as conditions and awareness change, and what’s now called the Kooskia Horizons project has taken up work on effecting that vision.

Immediately following the rally I made an effort to bring the idea of that visioning and the subsequent Horizons project up in conversations with local business owners and friends who hadn’t attended the rally. Along with some refreshingly positive feedback, I was surprised to hear some quite negative comments from several folks.

In particular, some claimed they’d examined the literature passed out at the rally and listened to the presentation and recognized certain “catch phrases” common to organizations intent on community, national and/or world domination. Additionally, they declared that the foundations supplying the seed money for the rally were themselves probably(!) funded by the above organizations. No proofs of these ideas were offered.

I was totally unprepared for these views at the time and didn’t have a ready response. I quickly realized several things, however. I’m sure there are individuals and groups who fantasize, if not plan, for dominating others. On the other hand, if there really were sinister machinations in this case, the perpetrators violated a strategy basic to domination: divide and conquer.

It’s true that our world faces many challenges, many threats. It’s also true that we each need to maintain a healthy skepticism and apply a bit of discernment in making judgments. Another good tool, to me, is examining “what is” right along with “what might be.” Yes, an Australian fellow served as master of ceremonies at the original Visioning Rally. In subsequent meetings, though, only local people have been involved. In short, rather than divide our community, neighbors are talking and working with neighbors to help bring into being a viable positive future for our community. Furthermore, all are volunteers.

With all of the above in mind, check out the previous blog entries below. Then I hope you’ll come join us at our next Community Potluck and Get-together on Saturday, January 19th, from noon till 2 pm, in the Kooskia Community Center. This will be a gathering of all the smaller groups — people focused on specific aspects of “the vision” — at which we’ll be explaining our particular projects. It’s open to all those in our neighborhood so they can become, or stay informed about the Horizons program too.

Again, please consider joining us. At the very least, you’ll see who has been involved and hear what we’ve been thinking and doing. Perhaps you’ll have ideas we overlooked!

David Bearman
Tahoe Ridge

The next Steering Committee Meeting for Kooskia Horizons will be held at 6:30pm at the Discovery Center at CVE. Please use side door of school (by the playground). We need all members to attend, as this is our last meeting before the Vision Launch!