Since last November our community has been changing in a quite, subtle way. The effort has been like a little stream at the top of a high mountain that starts with a tiny trickle and then gains more and more momentum as it flows down the mountain side.
Steele is one of 24 state wide communities participating the Horizons program http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/horizons/ program sponsored by the Northwest Area Foundation. The goal of our community involvement is three fold: poverty reduction, training new leaders, and creating a thriving community.
During the first phase of our project study circles met and exchanged dialogue on poverty in our community.Then we brainstormed about what we can realistically do to help eliminate it. Phase two was an intense course on the nuts and bolts of community leadership. Phase three is in the works and it is by far the most exciting one.
Last night 7 people spent the evening in the city coordinator office learning the art of community blogging. Under the guidance of NDSU’s, Mike Miller, we learned the “how to” and the “what to do” of blogging. I have to admit I was thrilled.
When the idea of a community blog was first presented to me I realized what a valuable tool we have been handed. What a great opportunity to paint a portrait of who we are! I also realized that by myself this would be an impossible task. So I looked around the community and asked myself “Who are we?” and “what is the story do we have to tell?” The rest was easy. I sent out a few quick letters, made few phone calls and boom.
The result is what I am calling “The Mighty Steele Bloggers”. I hesitate to give you their names because I think they will do such a great job introducing themselves in the coming weeks. I will say that each one these bloggers will share some wonderful insights into our community.
Come back often and read the blog. Share your own points of view. Ask us questions. Be patient…it might take us a little time to get rolling full steam.