Posts Tagged ‘SD Community Foundation’

Bob Sutton “gets” ReImagine Rural

September 5th, 2009

In our work at the Rural Learning Center, we’ve long recognized the importance of place. It is, after all the root of our work that began with our Howard H.S. students back in the 1990s.

The theme of place emerged several times Wednesday in the speeches presented at the Rural Learning Center groundbreaking ceremony. While all were excellent, I think Bob Sutton, President of the South Dakota Community Foundation best captured the power of place.

Seeking inspiration to write his speech, Bob actually drove to Howard, sat under the trees of the Miner County Courthouse lawn, and absorbed the essence of the place.

The result was incredible. Inspiring and insightful. All in just under 10 minutes. That’s how place can get under your skin. If you don’t believe me, watch his presentation for yourself.

A couple topics stood out for me in Bob’s talk, and I’d like to share them below.

The Ingredients of Success

First, whenever one talks about the future of rural places, the conversation often turns to job creation and financial investment. As Bob eloquently describes, money is not the only ingredient; “Resources such as time and talent, leadership skills, motivational conversation, and a rekindling of the spirit of hope is just as critical in places like Howard.”

How true.

People sometimes think that the recent positive developments in Miner County have occurred because we were lucky enough to receive a sizeable grant from the Northwest Area Foundation. While important, money alone would not have produced the same results.

The Power of ReImagining Rural

Second, there’s a power in reimagining the future of rural communities. Having experienced 50-80 years of economic decline, rural residents in our part of the country have a tendency to look backwards and develop a feeling of hopelessness. That hopelessness causes us to doubt the success of projects like the Maroney Rural Learning Center - like one reader of the Argus Leader’s story wrote in their forum - even before the project has gets off the ground.

And that’s why celebrations like this groundbreaking were so important.

Why Groundbreakings?

Yesterday, I had an opportunity to interview Dan Scott, a lawyer from St. Paul, MN. Dan grew up in Howard where his dad was the long-time superintendent. (His dad is the guy who hired me to come to Howard back in 1996.)

Even though Dan lives 6 hours away from Howard, he made the trip back to Howard for the groundbreaking ceremony. This prompted me to ask “Why?” His response is below.

That’s right. We do need to pause, reflect, and celebrate. And through this reflection and celebration we can begin to dream of the possibilities for our future.

A big thanks to Bob Sutton for his remarkable remarks on Wednesday. He is someone who is helping communities in South Dakota to “reimagine rural.”

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The 3 R’s of Renata Rafferty

July 15th, 2009

I had the opportunity to hear Renata Rafferty speak about the role and mission of nonprofits last Friday at the first of the South Dakota Community Foundation’s Nonprofit Convenings.  Renata is a nationally known philanthropic consultant, author (her latest book is titled “Smart Generosity: Everything You Need to Know About Charity, Philanthropy, and Giving Wisely” ) and tell-it-like-it-is speaker. 

She framed her message to nonprofits in the room through what she terms “the 3 R’s”:  refocus, reach out, and recognize that all philanthropy is personal.   What I enjoyed most about her presentation was that although she was speaking to an audience of nonprofit leaders, her message is relevant to communities and businesses as well.  It is time to get back to the basics. 

1. Refocus. Renata shared that while it is easy to be distracted with new philosophies, technologies, and methodologies, what really matters is the work you do every day to help people in your community. Ask yourself: what are we really trying to do and why does it matter?

2. Reach out. Philanthropy isn’t a one organization game, and we best serve our communities when we reach out to other nonprofits that are doing great work. Renata suggests that the capacity often exists to make change-we may just need to think about it differently. Ask yourself: how can we best make change together?

3. Recognize that all philanthropy is personal. People care where their money goes, and they care that it is helping to make change in the world. Renata reminds us that if we want to engage people in change we have to show them we’re making change. If we reach donors hearts, minds and hands first, the financial investment is more likely to follow. Ask yourself: how am I engaging volunteers and potential donors in our work?

The work of building successful community is, at its most fundamental level, much like the work of building successful nonprofit organizations.  Refocus.  Reach out.  Recognize that it’s personal.  It makes sense, too.  If we are focused on what really matters, working with others to get there, and meeting volunteers and community members where their passions lie, anything is possible.

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