Oct / Nov 2007 Update

“A successful community-visioning process results in a better, more rewarding future. It is also a breakthrough in “people energy” to get things done. But, first, there has to be a vision. Otherwise, a community just condemns itself to a future fashioned by fate and reactionary impulses, rather than a future designed and achieved with intent and commitment.”
- Carl Neu (The Center for the Future of Local Governance)

Eveleth Has a Vision! – On November 1, facilitator David Beurle led discussions with students during the day and a wide range of community members in the evening based on research about rural survival. Participants ranked Eveleth on each criteria; they identified what is going well and what needs improvement on each of his top ten attributes for successful communities:
a. Evidence of strong community pride and inclusive culture - Eveleth’s ranking: 64 (strength) vs. 42 (not a strength)
b. Invest in the future – built to last! - 25(strength) vs. 38 (not a strength)
c. Participatory approach to community decision making - 3 (strength) vs. 42 (not a strength)
d. Creatively build new economic opportunities - 5 (strength) vs. 66 (not a strength)
e. Support local businesses - 23 (strength) vs. 54 (not a strength)
f. Deliberate transition of power to new leaders - 16 (strength) vs. 61 (not a strength)
g. Strong belief in and support for education - 132 (strength) vs. 4 (not a strength)
h. Strong presence of traditional institutions that are integral to community life - 59 (strength) vs. 7 (not a strength)
i. Willingness to seek help from the outside - 11 (strength) vs. 49 (not a strength)

j. Communities are self-reliant - 27 (strength) vs. 25 (not a strength)

Next, the group created a vision for the Eveleth they’d like to have in 10-15 years:

Our rich culture and history defines who we are. Our community is a safe, close-knit place where neighborhood values make Eveleth a great place to raise a family. We are a progressive, cohesive and collaborative community that works together to make our community thrive. We have a range of unique and exciting community events that attract people from across the world to celebrate our heritage, our history, and our culture. In particular, we are renowned for our world-class Hockey Hall of Fame!

Eveleth is a business-friendly community that builds on taconite, timber, and tourism. Our entrepreneurial economy is evident in our vibrant and bustling downtown that provides diverse opportunities for all. The fresh face on our historical buildings demonstrates community pride and innovation. Recreation opportunities provide welcoming ways for the young and old to come together.

Finally, volunteers signed up to work on the following committees: Economic Development; Blight/Beautification; Youth Activities/Involvement; Community Activities; and, Downtown Revitalization. Each of the committees have met and chosen projects to work on in the next six to twelve months. To get involved or to learn more about the exciting work of the committees, contact Heather at 218.305.4456.

“Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.” – Joel Barker, author, Future Edge

Learn to Skate- 30 children signed up and hit the ice – some for the first time - at the Hippodrome. Thanks to the City of Eveleth for making this possible with donated ice time. During the sign-up many items were donated by generous community members: games, warm winter clothing, blankets, skates, and hockey equipment. Fun was had by all at a Halloween party with children skating in their costumes. Thank you to the many volunteers who helped from organizing the event to coaching of the skaters on the ice.

Conference calls w/candidates - Eveleth Horizons volunteers are invited to participate in monthly conference calls with the presidential candidates sponsored by the American Medical Women’s Association. The Conversations with Candidates project is a bi-partisan series of conference calls with presidential candidates and their policy staff to discuss their plans for health care reform. If you are interested in joining the calls, contact Heather at 218.305.4456 for registration information.

DOWNTOWN CLEAN-UP

DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION AND BEAUTIFICATION:

Please join the Eveleth Horizons monthly project of cleaning the downtown area. The 4th Saturday of the month through October, individuals are encouraged to come clean up the downtown area. The meeting point is at the Italian Bakery. (Meet there early and purchase some of their great bakery goods). We can spend 2 hours cleaning up downtown, connecting with neighbors and building community spirit! Garbage bags and gloves will be provided.

Community Visioning

Heather was able to attend a meeting last Friday (6/29) where the discussion centered around what the next pieces will look like for Horizons.
Here's part of the plan:

1. Eveleth has been signed up for both a Tourism and Retail Trade Analysis. The people who do this from the University of MN Extension, will work with the Eveleth community. The goal is to identify what businesses may work here and in what ways we can capatalize on the tourism industry. The Horizons program will be paying for this, so Eveleth Horizons won't have to worry about raising money to do so. Eveleth Horizons is looking for 1 to 2 more people who are interested in working on this committee. We would really like to have at least one youth involved in the process. If interested please contact Heather or comment on this post. If you would like more information, you can visit these web sites: http://www.tourism.umn.edu/ or www.extension.umn.edu/retail/

2. November 1st of this year Eveleth Horizons will have a community visioning rally. This will be in the evening and the plan is for a speaker to come who has done extensive work with small towns and rural areas. Please mark your calendars for this exciting event. If you would like more information or to be on the planning committee, please contact Heather by phone, e-mail, or by commenting on this post. Also, this is a challenge to everyone: find at least 10 people to come to the rally. (Just imagine if each of the 140 participants in Study Circles found 10 people to come to the event, we would have 1,400 people there) The ultimate goal is less than half of that, so let's try hard to get the whole community to the event because the bigger the event is the better. If you have any connections to organizations/employers/civic groups/etc. and have a contact person, please let Heather know so information can be mailed to let them know of the event.

3. Kudos to all of the work that everyone does. It was so fun to share an update of the Eveleth Horizons and show all the amazing success for the program and the amazing reality of how quickly it was acheived. Thanks for all that each and everyone of you do. This program is a success because of you.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

June Update

1. Summer Soccer Sign-Up
Horizons volunteers are giving young people (ages 5-15) an opportunity to learn and practice soccer skills this summer. The program will run July 26 through September 6. Parents can sign up their children between 10A-7P at City Hall on Mon, July 9, or Tue, July 10. Suggested donation: $5. Adult volunteers are encouraged to sign up as well. No soccer experience necessary. Note: this program is not meant to conflict with any existing soccer programs in the area - but to supplement existing programs by getting more young people into the "soccer pipeline" while offering Eveleth youth an affordable outdoor summer sporting activity.

2. See you at the Parade!
We are looking for volunteers to join the Horizons float in the Gilbert and Eveleth parades - bring friends and family as well - any age! Gilbert parade line-up 6:30p (July 3rd) at the south end of main street in Gilbert. Eveleth line-up 8:30a (July 4) at the ballpark by Franklin School. RSVP to Liz or just show-up on parade day!

3. Leadership Plenty
The 15 people who went through Leadership Plenty last week are raving about it. You can learn more about the training modules at: http://www.pew-partnership.org/lpinstitute.html Trainings will continue three Mondays in July: 9th, 16th, 23rd. (8:30-4:00 at Kaleva Island just south of Eveleth) For more information or to sign up for this free training contact Heather at http://us.f607.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=heather.lindula@state.mn.us

4. Eveleth Horizons Website launched!
Stefanie has been working hard on the website and welcomes your feedback on what sort of information you'd like posted. http://www.eveleth.blogspot.com/ Feel free to post comments directly on the blog if you're comfortable. To get articles or events posted, email them to liz at http://us.f607.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=kuoppala@yahoo.com or Heather at http://us.f607.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=heather.lindula@state.mn.us

5. Join a Commission!
The City of Eveleth is currently taking applications for positions on various boards and commissions - download more information and application at: http://www.evelethmn.com/ (click on "commissions and boards" and scroll to bottom of page). Several Horizons participants have already applied!

6. Recruit Good Paying Jobs
At the Council's recent goal-setting workshop, Liz Kuoppala was assigned the task of pulling together a committee to develop a plan for Eveleth to attract good paying jobs. The Committee will begin their work shortly after the 4th of July and report back to the City Council in September. If you are interested in helping on this committee, please contact Liz at http://us.f607.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=kuoppala@yahoo.com

7. July 6th Movies in the Park
Liz will be showing "Arthur & The Invisibles" (http://www.arthur-movie.com/) for Eveleth's "Movies in the Park" event at Veterans Park on Ely Lake on Friday, July 6th. She could use volunteers beginning at 7p (movie starts approximately 8p) - rsvp to http://us.f607.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=kuoppala@yahoo.com - or just show up for the fun, family-friendly, event.

8. Horizons Helps With Transportation Grant Request
Horizons submitted a letter of support for an AEOA transportation grant request from the State of Minnesota to fund ideas generated in Eveleth's Study Circles. AEOA is applying for $60,000 for transportation assistance for low-income people and $150,000 for transportation advocates to help low-income people develop transportation plans. Watch future updates to keep posted on the status of the grant application.

9. Other Opportunities Coming Soon...
After Leadership Plenty wraps up at the end of July, there will be opportunities to sign up for a range of committees to begin working towards goals identified in Study Circles and prioritized at the May 17 Action Forum. Watch for the July Horizons Update or contact Heather or Liz for further information.

10. Thanks to everyone for your dedication and enthusiasm!
Over 140 people participated in Study Circles; Horizons staff visiting for the Action Forum told us we had the most energized group of people they've seen across the state; we are close to meeting our goal for Leadership Plenty; and people all over town are buzzing with ideas for revitalizing our town and ending poverty in Eveleth. And we've only just begun! "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead