Minnesota

As we reflect on the year past and all there is to be thankful for, the U of MN Horizons staff is thankful for you, the dedicated community volunteers who have given of your time, energy and resources to reduce poverty and enhance the leadership of your communities. Whether you participated in any step of the way or have take on a leadership role, each of you have made an impact in your community by sharing a bit of who you are. It has been a pleasure to work with and get to know each of you. We wish you all a happy rejuvenating time of thanks as we are all reminded of blessings and joys in our lives.

With a vision for the future in hand and “Future Squads” (contextual teams) on the move, some community members have been asking, “are we still addressing poverty?” I love this question. By posing this question, you are demonstrating that knowledge and awareness has been raised over the past year, and more importantly, that you want to do something about it.

As many of you have pointed out, your understanding of the different aspects of poverty is underlying your vision statements. However, many of you have asked: “Is this enough?” Here are some questions and thoughts to remember as your community progresses:

Who is participating in the Future Squads?

• During Study Circles and LeadershipPlenty, we had a wide demographic representation of the community. Is this true today? Are youth involved? People in poverty? Current leaders of traditional institutions and organizations?

Are our actions addressing poverty?

• When developing your action plans, think about whether the action directly or indirectly addresses poverty in your community. If the impact is indirect , how can this correlation be strengthened?

Are our meetings publicized in a welcoming manner and have we been inclusive?

• Studies show that people are four times more likely to participate when personally asked. What efforts are being made to personally invite community members who are typically not involved? I know many of you are tapped from all ends, this is even more reason to welcome new leadership and work toward broad participation. Wouldn’t it be great if at the next meeting more than just the “same ten people” were there? It takes more time, but I think you’ll find that your efforts are well worth it.

• Remember that it is sometimes easier to get people involved for the first time if they are asked to help with a specific task. At each step of the way, ask : “How can we bring others in?”

Are we working toward strengthening the “Ten Attributes of Successful Communities?”

• Challenges with transitioning to new leadership and with inclusion came up in every community during the vision sessions. How can your Future Squads model this?

Let people know about the Barrier Elimination Funds.

• Each community has funds to reduce the barriers to participation. Let people who may not come otherwise know about the childcare and transportation stipends so that money is not a factor impeding involvement. Contact your local organizer or community coordinator to find out more.

Participants in Horizons study circles developed this framework to help connect future squad actions and common approaches to poverty reduction: Poverty Resources.

How is your community remaining focused on poverty and engaging often marginalized populations? Add a comment!

You may be saying, “We had a great turnout at our visioning event, but we didn’t quite reach our benchmark. What can we do?” Here are a few ideas to surpass the hurdle.

1. Welcome others to get involved. Invite interested friends and neighbors to the follow-up meeting that is scheduled in your community.
2. Become an ambassador. Carry around copies of the vision and have people sign the back to say they support the vision.
3. Post the vision around the community. In public areas (businesses, schools, restaurants, etc.), make a poster of the vision. Include pictures of the evening, if possible. On the poster, or nearby, have a place where people can sign in support of the vision.
4. Create an online survey. Use an online tool, such as “surveymonkey.com” (see the New York Mills blog site for an example) where people can share their thoughts and leave their information to get involved.
5. Create a paper survey (or use a paper version of your online survey). Have the surveys available where the vision posters are posted, bring the surveys to your other community meetings, or have copies available at the grocery store.
6. Use your networks. Bring a copy of the vision along to your other community meetings (even to church) and have community members sign the back.
7. Media. In a newspaper article about the vision, include information for how people can get involved (or where they can take a survey).
8. Cable TV. Post your vision on community TV. Include a link to a survey or contact information for how people can get involved.
9. Go door knocking. Bring your kids and visit the neighbors. Have them sign the survey and ask if they would like to attend the next meeting with you.
10. Attend a school event. Ask if you can read the vision at half time or hand out copies of the vision for people to read and sign.

Whatever you do, make sure you keep track of the names of the community members you have talked to and pass them along to your local organizer and your community coordinator.

Good luck and have fun! Remember, it is not about the number, it is about achieving the vision.

Over the past few weeks, MN Horizons communities have been working hard to create a vision for their future. From organizing and making arrangements to publicizing the events, you have been great ambassadors of your community and champions of civic engagement. Congratulations and thank you to all of you!