Bridge to Prosperity The Anaconda Horizons Project 2006 - 2009
Barbara Andreozzi, MSU-Deer Lodge County Extension Educator &
Anaconda Horizons Project Coordinator
Jim Davison, Anaconda Local Development Corp Director
Dan Villa, State Legislator
Adam Vauthier, Vauthier & Ferguson Design
Creating New LeadersCreating New Leaders
Outline of each of our presentations
Barb = Overview of Horizons, dev. steering committee, study circles, etc
Jim = Overview of Survey process and input, Foundation, Expanded Ed. Esp CNA cert
Adam = Blog, and his classes of expanded ed (plus his business)
Dan = Youth involvement & input via Blog (plus his position/business)
“I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers”
Ralph Nader
We planned the project with the end in mind Evaluated who needed to be involved Involved current leaders, emerging and
potential leaders with a passion for the project, who knew or worked with target population
“The Leader has to be practical and a realist, yet must talk the language
of the visionary and idealist.” Eric Hoffer
Built a complimentary Leadership Team who could become change agents
Success breeds success… We Started with “Leadership”
Learned from our Past:Leadership = Volunteer Success
1995 – 2006 Visioning Projects completed: Master Plan in place, first ever in 100+ yrs CBD in place along with TIFDs Commons park totally revamped, permanent
tree in place, raised over $250,000 for project Smelter Interpretive site open, MOU’s with
FWP, BP ARCO, County, $150,000 + raised
Visioning 1995-2006 projects continued…
Beautification projects = multiple: 1000+ new Street Trees in place, 225 last yr Storefront facade work completed by six
businesses, more plans to continue Flower baskets throughout town in summer New entrance arch sign & others in place Skateboard Park enjoyed by youth Teams addressed community capitals
A One Company TownAnaconda Company
First electric lights west of Mississippi 1913
First clay tennis courts in Montana
First outdoor pool in area
September 1980 closure:
1,500 jobs lost over night
65% of tax base gone
Developing a Steering Committee
Current Leaders with an interest or passion for the project
Current Leaders with power to change current situation
Emerging Leaders with an interest or passion for the project
Potential new leaders via PR, direct invitation, involved in the issue
Balancing Leadership Potential for a Successful Steering Committee
Current Leaders skills Team players Love planning to
implementing Visionary Change agents Power/influence to
make a difference
Emerging Leaders skills Risk Takers Willing to try something
again or new Team players Represent project Committed to all
phases of the project
“An empowered organization is one in which individuals have the
knowledge, skill, desire, and opportunity to personally succeed
in a way that leads to collective organizational success.”
Stephen R. Covey, Principle-Centered Leadership
Team reviewed data…
Steering Committee develops asset maps, knowledge & learning….
Plan for “Inclusion”; Team Building
First meeting sets the stage: Communicate Vision/Goals of the project Be truthful about project, expectations,
timeline, time commitment, etc. Utilize individual assets, expertise Build knowledge of Community Assets not
just needs/issues/data Consider focus groups & surveys
Build Your Ideal Team
Look for Opportunities to build Leadership Capacity
Allow for Champions to emerge Utilize the Teachable moments Expect Leadership from all Empower your team to Lead Build capacity at every phase
Study Circles Involved 166 Community Members: Listen, Study, Plan, Act
Community Input via Surveys
Steering Committee developed survey Mailed to 500 random households Survey Monkey version available to all Findings help focus efforts from Study
Circles, Visioning Forum and surveys
Ask for Help Montana State University Extension and The Northwest Area Foundation are working with
citizens to help improve the quality of life in this community through the Horizons program. Horizons is a community leadership program created to assist small rural and reservation communities faced with economic decline or population change to enhance their quality of life.
As a part of this project we are gathering input from community members. We invite you to take a few minutes to fill out this brief survey so that your opinions will be heard, and so that you can have a direct hand in promoting positive change in this community. We would appreciate your participation greatly, and look forward to learning more about your views and ideas.
Your participation in the survey is completely voluntary, and your responses will be anonymous. Summaries of all surveys will be provided to a Horizons project committee in this community. Watch for a community event in October/November where community members will be invited to create a vision statement and a basic community plan based in part on these survey results.
For additional surveys or more information, contact your Horizons Community Coach, ---, at (406) ----, or by e-mail at --@--.
If you have any questions regarding the purposes, content or use of this survey, please call --- to speak with the MSU Extension staff conducting the survey. Please return the survey in the pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope enclosed for your convenience. Thank you in advance for your participation in
What We Found Out
• Top focus: Create livable wage jobs with benefits, • Expand Educational Opportunities• Develop a Foundation,• Expand Clean-up,• Health issues• Expand After School Programs• Develop more Volunteer Coordination
Words to Actions
Leadership Investment Financial Investment Training Investment Volunteer Investment Tested all via our Visioning Forum
A Free Nine Week Leadership Series offered three times: Mondays starting – March 26, 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm, ALDC Wednesdays starting – March 28, 10:00 a.m.-2:30 pm, ALDC Saturdays starting – March 31, Noon – 3:30 p.m., St. Mark’s ending May 21, May 23, May 26 The nine modules cover: 1. FINDING LEADERS WITHIN 2. IDENTIFYING COMMUNITY ASSETS 3. MANAGING GROUPS FOR RESULTS 4. MAKING MEETINGS WORK BETTER 5. MANAGING CONFLICT 6. BUILDING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS 7. MOVING FROM TALK TO ACTION 8. VALUING EVALUATION 9. COMMUNICATING FOR CHANGE Undergrad credit (Dawson Community College – 3 credits for $140) and OPI CU’s are available if attending all nine modules. Ask for the credit information when you register. Register by calling the MSU-DLCo. Extension Office – 563-4035.
Leadership; a plan for success
Build capacity to succeed Review current Leadership capacity Develop Leadership opportunities via
education and learn-as-you-achieve… Blend Leaders, styles, abilities Involve current, new & emerging Leaders Be ready for Teachable moments
Action
First Successes via Horizons
Bridge to Prosperity first “low-hanging fruit” Anaconda Community Foundation
Horizons Projects 2007
Anaconda Community Foundation established, raised over $100,000
Training for the Future
Expand Educational Opportunities Committee addressing multi layers
working with high school to revamp/expand “shop” classes to state-of-art tech & trades
researching community college model, offering current course needed by small business,
development of CNA certification
Local CNA Training
Enabled low income to bridge to a career Horizons offered scholarships, baby sitting
costs, book/materials costs, test fees, gas Hospital offered covering cost of certified
trainer, on-site training, training wage for time with patients, etc
Next class set to begin this fall Local LPN training “in the works”
Certified Nurses Assistant
Developed training local to enable low income to participate
Horizons projects continued…
Volunteer Center set to launch in 2009 Medical Transportation Group established,
taking patients to treatment in Missoula, Butte, Billings
Home Fix-it Group established, helping with home repairs, co-hosting fix-it workshops
Clean-up Committee expanded town cleanup and Superfund clean-up
Youth programs expanded in 2008
Developing a Blog for Community Input / involvement
Asked Question of the week on Survey findings, Study Circle findings, etc
Issues in smaller communities• People in smaller communities are less
technologically seasoned and thus less likely to visit a blog.
• Simple solutions• Make it easy to get to• Give them a reason to go.• Make it have a look and feel of the community.
Student Involvement
Study Circles involved Youth, one circle was at the High School during classes
High School Honors classes: Created their Vision of the Future and presented to the Community
High School Students were encouraged to respond to survey
Expanding Educational Opportunities: Computer Classes
Technology courses were implemented to build skill sets of people inside the community.• Current courses include Microsoft Office 2007 and
QuickBooks. • Both are focused on developing necessary skills for
the office environment.
Classes took place in five week sessions.• The overall theme of the classes was to cover the
basics of the pieces of software and some conceptual ideas
• Resources were given out along with the classes for future reference on the material to allow for self – education to be competitive in the workforce.
Expanding Educational Opportunities: Computer Classes
Volunteer Center ready to take-off
Vista position starting July 2009 Committee set to work with Vista position Computer program ready… Partnership between PCA/Family Resource
Center, Library, MSU Extension, ALDC, etc Non-Profits agree to work together /
Coordinate!
Other Projects… Community Involvement
Special emphasis: Youth & Those most in need
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead, anthropologist
Questions???
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