Feeling the Weight of the World? Advice Sought for Ebbing Energy
We have a new strategic plan, we have ideas and we have dreams but we seem to have lost the energy. Where did it go?
Recent blog entries and local newspaper articles have shown the realities of Gackle’s woes. What is not apparent on the surface is that many basic services have been propped up over the years or have had benefactors to support their continuation. Those means are drying up. The cafe is struggling, the pool might not open, the sewers are failing and lots of other major issues. Everybody who is currently volunteering is overburdened and there doesn’t seem to be any new “troops.” It’s hard to get excited about the strategic goals of beautifying the town or continuing education when we have such large concerns.
Reacting to the situation a core group of concerned Horizons volunteers met recently to discuss the situation. Jodi Bruns from NDSU extension also attended. What we learned is that we are not alone and the situation is similar in most small towns. It seems there are ebbs and flows in the process of revitalization and we are experiencing the ebb. Jodi suggested prioritizing the major issues, identifying local leaders best able to “rally-the-troops” and asking them personally to take leadership for the tasks ahead. The reality is that people won’t respond to a simple “call to volunteer” printed in the newspaper. So a personal call based on a complementary marriage of leader and task is the best option.
But a thing we realized during the course of discussion was that we have done a lot and the Horizons process has fomented positive changes within our community. So while we all wish things would move more forward quickly we now understand that a “pat-on-the-back” is also in order and patience and dedication will win the battle ahead.
May 31st, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Hi salgal, Sounds like you are getting tired. I think we all are but at the same time it is so nice to have help from the Ext. and NW Area Foundation. Your projects are very good. Wish we had a new water/sewer plan. Your summer arts program is also a great way to involve everyone. When I get tired I just remember where we were in Bowdon and where we are going. Not everything happens at the time we think it should. We are enablers and not in the bad sense but in that we keep the vision in front of the people. Tuesday night we have our very first community meeting to start of business entity. Our locker/grocery will close July 1 and if an owner is not found the community must take on the responsibility. We are hoping for great support and a vision for selling our area beef in some form of Bowdon Branded Beef. Without Horizons we wouldn’t have been ready to tackle such a big undertaking. We’ve been prepped and so have you so stay steady and know good things come to those stay positive !!
June 5th, 2008 at 5:52 am
I think that all small communities have this problem, but the Horizons program has really been a boost for us in Anamoose. We have found, like you, that it takes a personal invitation to get people involved. We have found some great leaders just by asking them.
I just read your article on your Summer Arts Program and I was very impressed with your idea.
June 8th, 2008 at 6:50 am
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June 10th, 2008 at 11:33 am
I so agree with you. Everyone is fading out on their excitement on getting blogging done. Hopefully, we will get fired up again this summer. It has been a struggle this spring!!!!