Welcome to

REIMAGINING RURAL

VIRTUAL COMMUNITY GATHERING

2021

Reimagining Rural graphic includes a thought cloud filled with colorful rural-oriented icons

September 13 · September 27 · October 4

 

July 5, 2021

 

Dear Community Members,

 

The Reimagining Rural Initiative is partnership between MSU Extension, Montana Community Foundation and the Burton K. Wheeler Center for Public Policy.  We believe in working together to support small-town leaders in building vibrant futures for our Montana communities. 

To kick-off this partnership we held a very successful, one-day statewide gathering in the fall of 2019 where people across the state came together to explore how we can work better together to support rural communities.  In 2020 we held our first round of the Reimagining Rural Virtual Community Gathering where twenty-four communities across the state gathered for a three-part series focusing on rural community vitality.

We are excited to announce round two of the Reimagining Rural Virtual Community Gathering.  Like the first series, this will be a three-part virtual statewide gathering of communities across Montana featuring keynote speaker and rural expert Ben Winchester from the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Community Vitality.  Ben will share his “brain gain” research that counters negativity common in current discussions of rural communities. The next two sessions will feature additional speakers as well as examples of community successes across Montana.

Our organizing partners are committed to hosting great local conversations exploring and sharing how we can work together across Montana to better support our rural communities, increase community capacity and help create vibrant, robust rural places.

We want you and your community to join the Reimagining Rural Virtual Community Gathering.  If interested, please read through the packet and complete and return the application by August 9, 2021.

 

Thank you for your interest!

Reimagining Rural Planning Team

 

 

Tara Mastel, MSU Extension                        

Jennifer Anderson, MSU Extension             

Eric Austin, Burton K. Wheeler Center

Maggie Sullivan, Montana Community Foundation

 

 

REIMAGINING RURAL VIRTUAL GATHERING EXPLAINED

Up to 30 rural communities across Montana will be chosen to participate in a three-night series of local community gatherings featuring virtual speakers on rural community vitality.  Following the speakers, communities will each discuss the ideas presented with the help of a local trained facilitator to determine ways to incorporate these ideas locally.

 

  • Monday September 13 -- Rewriting the Rural Narrative. Reframe your view of rural with "Brain Gain" author Ben Winchester.
  • Monday September 27 -- We did it and you can too! Short stories of successful projects from rural Montana community leaders that made things happen.
  • Monday October 4 -- Winning in Winnett MT. Hear about how residents in Winnett MT, population 182, went from possible dissolution of their county to a robust Beef to Schools program, new housing and construction of a new community center.

 

COMMUNITY BENEFITS

The Reimagining Rural Virtual Community Gathering is a great opportunity to energize local leaders as well as rethink what is possible for rural community vitality.

 

PARTICIPATING COMMUNITIES WILL:

  • Receive up to $200 to defray costs of local event.
  • Have community coaching available as you plan your local event.
  • Receive free facilitator training for the local facilitator you chose.
  • Receive individualized free marketing materials to assist in local promotion.
  • Have access to local or county data provided by Ben through his presentation.

 

COMMUNITY REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS

The virtual gathering is designed to be as inclusive and expansive as possible for each community.  Therefore, communities wishing to participate must complete the included application demonstrating community support.  Complete and return the application to the address below by August 9, 2021.  If you have questions, please email [email protected].

Please mail or email the completed application to:

 

Tara Mastel

MSU Extension

PO Box 2182

Red Lodge, MT  59068

[email protected]

 

Reimagining Rural Virtual Community Gathering Application

 

We want communities to join us in this special event.  To be considered, please complete this simple application, and return it to MSU Extension PO Box 2182 Red Lodge, MT  59068 or to [email protected] by August 9th.

 

Community:  _________________________________________________________________________

 

Individual Completing the Application:  ____________________________________________________

 

Sponsoring Organization (if applicable):  ___________________________________________________

 

Mailing Address:  ______________________________  City/Zip Code:  __________________________

 

Email:  ______________________________________    Phone:  ________________________________

 

Organizing Committee

Please let us know who will be assisting with the planning and organizing of your community’s local event.  We would like to have names, email, mailing address and phone numbers of two or three people who will be assisting with the site planning.  We will communicate with this group about all aspects of this event.

1)  __________________________________________________________________________________

 

2) __________________________________________________________________________________

 

3) __________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

1.  Share your community’s “why” for participating

Very briefly (5-6 sentences) share your community’s reasons for wanting to participate in this event and your ideas/vision for planning and conducting your local event.  Don’t worry!  There are no wrong answers.  Use this as an opportunity to think out loud about how you will plan and conduct your local event.

 

 

 

 

2.  Collaboration/Community Partnership Roster

Having people from all parts of your community participate is the key to a successful Reimagining Rural event.  To get more than “the same ten people” to attend, it is best to make sure that many different people are informed and involved in helping make the event happen. 

There are many ways to partner to make Reimagining Rural a success including simply attending, helping with marketing, or helping organize part of the event.  Some groups to consider asking to help include your community foundation, school, local media outlets, healthcare, civic organizations, senior centers, chamber of commerce, youth organizations, law enforcement or faith -based organizations.

Brainstorm and identify ten potential partners in your community who may help make your local gathering a success.  Three MUST sign below as a commitment to hosting or participating in your local gathering.

 

Individual, Group or Organization

Name

Interest/Role

 

Possible

Contributions

(Assets they bring)

Signature of Commitment

 

1)

 

 

 

 

2)

 

 

 

 

3)

 

 

 

 

4)

 

 

 

 

5)

 

 

 

 

6)

 

 

 

 

7)

 

 

 

 

8)

 

 

 

 

9)

 

 

 

 

10)

 

 

 

 

 

Return your application by August 9 to:

Tara Mastel MSU Extension PO Box 2182 Red Lodge, MT  59068 or to [email protected]