SPOTLIGHT ON LEADERSHIP AND POVERTY

The South Dakota State University Cooperative Extension Service in partnership with the Northwest Area Foundation conducted a one-day educational session designed to help people improve their community. The program called a Spotlight on Leadership and Poverty was held in the following locations.

• October 13th, 2005 - Parker, SD
• October 14th, 2005 - Clark, SD
• October 28th, 2005 - Rapid City, SD

View Photos from the 3 Spotlight locations.

The day included Keynote Speaker, Karla Trautman, SDSU Cooperative Extension Service's Program Leader for Family & Youth/4-H. Karla began the day by framing the work people do in communities based on the book "Clues to Rural Community Survival" by the Heartland Center for Leadership Development. The Heartland Center's 20 Clues to Rural Community Survival are characteristics identified in communities that contribute to their success as a thriving rural town. Some of the clues include:

• Evidence of community pride
• Participatory approach to decision making
• Cooperative community spirit
• Deliberate transition of power to younger generations
• Sound and well-maintained infrastructure

The day of learning continued with participants choosing to attend 3 breakout sessions with a variety of topics for communities including:

• Identifying Community Assets
• Moving People to Action
• Understanding Social Capital
• Poverty is Not Just Numbers
• Getting Going with Positive Partners

Participants gained useful information to take back to their community and share with others. The day was also used to help community members network with people in surrounding communities. To bring the Community Leadership Development team to your community contact Cheryl Jacobs,  Kari Fruechte or Dan Oedekoven.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP LISTENING SESSION

A Listening Session on Programs, Strategies and Possibilities

South Dakota State University's Cooperative Extension Service hosted a listening session on Rural Entrepreneurship in Chamberlain in February 2006 in cooperation with the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD).

Click for pictures and details on Rural Entrepreneurship in South Dakota: A Listening Session on Programs, Strategies and Possibilities.

Click to view the Listening Session Summary Report from the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development.

For more information about the NCRCRD Listening Session program visit the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development at Iowa State University at http://www.ncrcrd.iastate.edu/projects/listening/.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP

SDSU Cooperative Extension Service offered a 6-hour workshop on "Leadership Development Through Community Action" for youth in Huron in February 2006. Participants learned about their own leadership qualities, how to work effectively in a group and how to set goals. Mayor's Youth Leadership Council - Huron, SD

For more information about community leadership and youth programs offered by SDSU's Cooperative Extension Service contact Cheryl Jacobs or Kari Fruechte.