| | | May 7, 2007
GLAD Report, May 2007
A look at the Glacial Lakes Area Development from the past, the present, and the future: GLAD has completed the first year of building our future.
prepared by Darah Darrington
GLAD Report, May 2007
A look at the Glacial Lakes Area Development from the past, the present, and the future: GLAD has completed the first year of building our future.
Contents
Page Part Section
2 Introduction
2 Part 1: Forming GLAD
4 Part 2: GLAD purpose and framework
4 Part 3: Projects Launched in Year One
1. Affiliation with NESDCAP
2. Diva Purse Auction & Celebrity Pheasant Hunt
3. Learning Expeditions
4. Wind Energy Meeting
5. Wellness Weekend
6. Goals for 2007
7. Other Projects
7 Part 4: Planned Initiatives
1. Communication
2. Tourism
3. Business Development
4. Full-time Staff
5. Energy Development
9 Part 5: Conclusion
10 Appendix
A. 2006 -2007 Budget
GLAD Report, May 2007
A look at the Glacial Lakes Area Development from the past, the present, and the future: GLAD has completed the first year of building our future.
Introduction
Building our future. The “greater Marshall County area” showed an increase concern for the economic status in their communities. The high percentage of youth out-migration and continued decline in population were just a couple of points. Several communities had a chance to come together and discuss the challenges their facing. These community leaders shared ideas about how to utilize their community assets and generate new economic vitality. The opportunity lead to more and more energy circulating and the new found belief that we can truly build a better future in the Glacial Lakes Area. After enduring through years of economic decline, a small group of community leaders recognized it was time to make a choice. Our area community would either continue to die a slow death, or they could lead a transformation toward growth. This transformation process resulted in the formation of the Glacial Lakes Area Development, Inc. We chose growth!
The GLAD founders have also recognized from the beginning that transforming the region into a growing, prosperous community will be a long-term, strategic process. It will also require a lot of collaboration and team work. After one year of building our future, here’s how far we’ve come:
Part 1: Forming GLAD
GLAD BEGINNINGS
2003 February
Dr. Jim Beddow, Director of the Rural Learning Center of Howard SD, saw that there was a strong movement in this country emerging around rural entrepreneurship. His vision was to help us work together regionally to build and sustain relationships to support higher levels of entrepreneurship, thereby growing more dynamic and wealthier economies and societies.
Diane Fredrickson was contacted by Dr. Jim Beddow to assist him in doing some Entrepreneurial Mapping in Marshall/Day/Roberts Counties. This process of interviews went on for over a year. Darah Darrington also assisted with the interview processes during the summer of 2004.
July, 2003
A workshop was held in Eden, SD by Dr. Jim Beddow inviting members of organizations from our area together to have a dialogue about the prospect of energizing rural entrepreneurship in NE SD.
After many months of meetings and interviews and information gathering, a briefing profile of the “greater Marshall County” area was given to a Steering Committee. It gave them an idea of the project goals they could be looking at in the future, one of them: the implementation of the Leadership Plenty program.
In the summer of 2004, a Leadership Plenty group was formed in the Northeast Area Lake Region and conducted meetings in Eden, SD. Twenty-three citizens from 7 communities in northeastern SD met every week for 10 weeks for 4 hours each night. They participated in brainstorming and identified a list of nearly 60 activities that would strengthen the region’s economy. All of the communities identified their Core Values. Many of the issues they discussed were issues that every community had: housing, building tourism in our area, developing entrepreneurship in our area, large scale development such as wind energy, grain processing, education and youth retention. The vision was the same for each community. Then we started the process of mapping our journey.
Information was collected through research and the partners with who we wanted to build relationships were identified: (SBA, NESDCAP, NESDEC, Rural Learning Center, Development Corps., Town Boards, Chamber of Commerce, Local lenders, Foundations, and the Communities themselves). The next step was to develop an action plan, identify resources, and establish interim goals. This is where we believe the GLAD seed began. We were ready to move forward. In 2005, Dr. Jim Beddow, with assistance from Linda Salmonson, hosted four meetings to help us facilitate our journey moving forward. We gathered together to establish our Vision and our objectives, formulated a Steering Committee and Fundraising Committee and developed our GLAD website.
In November of 2006, Darah Darrington was hired for two days per week to assist us with our goals, thanks to the partnership with the NESDCAP organization.
A South Dakota non-profit corporation
After over a year of planning and research, the Glacial Lakes Area Development was incorporated in September, 2006. There are 8 founding and new board members, one appointed by each community partner (Marshall County, City of Britton, Town of Eden, Town of Lake City, Town of Langford and Town of Pierpont, Town of Veblen, and a Representative of Tourism).
The newly formed Board of Directors chose officers, served near enactment of by-laws, completed a round of fundraising for 2006, became affiliated with NESDCAP, and hired a part-time Executive Director. (see the 2006 - 2007 budget in Appendix A).
Current Board of Directors (as of January 2008):
Chair Paula Jensen, Langford
Vice-Chair Dave Daberkow, Game, Fish, & Parks
Secretary Cindy Hofland, Veblen
Treasurer Jennifer Roerig, Eden
Ralph Skare, Marshall County Commission
Diane Fredrickson, Lake City
Tim Purintun, Britton
Audrey Johnson, Pierpont
Ex-officio Scott Amundson, Executive Director (non-voting)
GLAD management
GLAD contracts with Northeast South Dakota Community Action Program of Sisseton to provide human resources. Scott Amundson serves as the GLAD Executive Director through the NESDCAP contract.
Part 2: GLAD Purpose and Framework
Our mission
To be the catalyst for the preservation and enhancement of our area through the open exchange of resources and ideas.
We facilitate, not dictate. Building our future is up to the people of our community. We will facilitate that process based on the vision the people have and on what we learn from other successful communities.
We collaborate. Alone, any one of our towns has few resources, but together as one united community, the Glacial Lakes Area can build its future. We must tackle growth in an all-for-one-and-one-for-all effort.
We innovate. We study and learn from other communities and organizations. We apply new theories and proven practices that work. We strive to remain on the leading edge of rural growth and development. We aren’t concerned with what everybody else is doing, but we watch closely what a few star communities are doing differently.
We build sustainable growth. We think for the next generations. We seek good growth, not just any growth. We support projects that we believe will make a positive long-term impact on the Glacial Lakes Area as a whole.
Growth means positive change. It’s not just about more businesses, more people, and more jobs. It’s about better jobs, better businesses, and stronger communities. The first step will require changing our mindset as a whole community. We must believe in our people and want to change.
Part 3: Projects Launched in Year One
1. Affiliation with NESDCAP
2. Purse Auction & Celebrity Pheasant Hunt
3. Learning Expeditions
4. Wind Energy Meeting
5. Wellness Weekend
6. Goals for 2007
7. Other Projects
3.1 AFFILIATION WITH NESDCAP
The services of an Economic Development Director for Glacial Lakes Area Development (GLAD), which includes the communities of Eden, Langford, Britton, Pierpont, Veblen, and Lake City is in tact due to GLAD’s affiliation with Northeast South Dakota Community Action Program (NESDCAP).
Darah is originally from the Waubay area. She has her Bachelors degree in Sociology with a Human Resources emphasis and minors in Business and Public Recreation from South Dakota State University. She received her Masters degree in Public Administration in the fall of 2005 from the University of South Dakota. Darah assisted Jim Beddow, Executive Director of the Rural
Learning Center, and Diane Fredrickson, entrepreneur from Lake City, on a “Greater Marshall
County” community assessment and transformation project in the summer of 2004. She has worked for Northeast Council of Governments and currently is working for NESDCAP in Sisseton.
NESDCAP and North East South Dakota Economic Corporation (NESDEC) are excited to assist GLAD in its efforts to become regionalized and support economic development in a larger, collaborative effort, which will strengthen the ability to get economic and community development initiatives done. GLAD will use NESDCAP and NESDEC as an established resource in consulting and learning from a very successful, community and economic development nonprofit.
Marcia Erickson, NESDCAP Executive Director, declares that “NESDCAP is pleased to announce the partnership with the Glacial Lakes Area Development team. It is exciting to see this new organization begin to take its formal structure through the hiring of a new Executive Director. It is our vision that the partnership and sharing of staff will prove beneficial to both GLAD and NESDCAP in many ways.”
3.2 Diva Purse Auction and Celebrity Pheasant Hunt
Two exciting events started-up by GLAD group volunteers in 2006.
1. Diva Purse Auction. In October a few ladies put their heads together and planned one of the most unique fundraisers around! Hosted at the newly opened eatery, Britton Bakery & Bistro, this silly diva party for women of all ages included fancy servers, elegant desserts, a real cute one-act skit, and an auction of donated purses stuffed with fun goodies. Purses were collected by participants and non-participants alike and were auctioned off to the crowd in an entertaining fashion. Ladies filled them with gift certificates, jewelry, crafts, and useful bits and pieces to slightly promiscuous bits and pieces! The Diva Purse Auction event raised $2,246!
2. Celebrity Pheasant Hunt. GLAD hosted their first annual celebrity pheasant hunting fundraising event on November 4, 2006 at Fifteen Lakes Lodge near Eden. Invitations were extended to 30 individuals that participated in the first year’s event. Jenny Roerig, GLAD Board member and representative from Eden, said the “participants were made up of business owners, politicians, town board members, and others who have contributed to our area with a vested interest in the GLAD mission.” Book author, freelance writer, and former head of the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks Commission, Burdette Zastrow also joined in on the fun and took all of the pictures throughout the day.
Organizers of the event came from the communities throughout the GLAD area. Clayton Halverson, District 1 State Representative and GLAD member, helped with the organizing and spoke at the social event. He commented that it was a great way to feature the wealth we have in our area. The organizers all agreed the event would be engaging and entertaining to move around the area every year. The Celebrity Pheasant Hunt event raised $1,100
Both of these special events were fundraisers for GLAD projects.
3.3 LEARNING EXPEDITIONS
GLAD had an opportunity to visit The Rural Learning Center (RLC), Howard, SD in December 2006. As guests of the RLC, GLAD members received a tour of the new facility hosting the RLC and learned projects the organization is currently undertaking.
Here’s a summation from the meeting with Dr. Jim Beddow, Joe Bartman (former McCook County Ex. Director), and Lindsey Karlson, all of the Rural Learning Center.
GLAD attendees received consulting on our current status and consulting/brainstorming on focal points to help in obtaining collaborative ownership and economic enhancement in our region.
GLAD is not federally recognized yet as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization. GLAD obtained an EIN, but there is quite a bit of paper work. It normally takes a long time to get a response from the federal government. GLAD continues to proceed with getting this paperwork completed and sent in.
The next item they felt was important to do was to create a much clearer vision that identifies what we claim to do and/or be. They see a need to provide both a clearer vision and have principles to give clarity, plus help demonstrate our intentions. The principles are the main themes our organization strives to enhance. We have kind of done this in the past when we created the rough draft strategic plan.
From their thoughts, the third item on the list of top priorities is to be visible and educational. Joe, in particularly, felt strongly about making sure to create ownership by the people in the communities.
Finally, we learned about two of the major programs in economic development the RLC has been developing, housing and youth engagement
The RLC is more than willing to give advice and consulting to GLAD. We are incredibly fortunate to be able to utilize their superior consulting and services.
3.4 WIND ENERGY MEETING
On April 11, 2007 GLAD co-hosted a Wind Energy forum with Lake Region Electric. The meeting took place at the Marshall County Community Building. Approximately 40 to 50 people attended the informational meeting. Lake Region Electric had an abundance of requests from its customers for wind energy technology in northeastern South Dakota. The result was Lake Region’s team of engineers, lawyers, and other technical experts doing the research and then giving back to communities all of the knowledge they have accumulated through hosting forums and establishing the means to continue the education as long as it continues to be a major interest of their customers.
3.5 GLAD WELLNESS WEEKEND
GLAD organized a Wellness Weekend Retreat in April; the event took place April 13th, 14th, and 15th. Speakers were flown in from Boulder, CO and Chicago, IL. Topics presented included anti-aging, inflammation, cholesterol, digestion, exercise, environmental issues, detoxification, immune system, skin care, stress reduction methods, weight loss, exercise, and more. Participants also experienced unique therapies, such as foot reflexology, biofeedback, Healing Hands, as well as massage therapies.
3.6 GOALS FOR 2007
On April 21st GLAD had its first annual Planning Retreat. The planning retreat was facilitated by Linda Salmonson, East River Electric Economic Development Manager. She assisted in organizing GLAD’s goals for 2007. Linda’s professional expertise in rural economic and community development as well nonprofit organizations was most beneficial in providing some training on board responsibilities and advice on organization documents, such as GLAD’s by-laws and the
application process to apply for Federal 501 (c) 3 status. The Planning Retreat started GLAD in its strategic planning for 2007.
3.7 OTHER PROJECTS
GLAD will be working on a couple Paint SD Campaign projects in Langford and Britton. The project is designed to assist one household with painting the exterior of their home. The household is chosen based on their need and eligibility for the program. South Dakota Housing Development Authority administers this program. They will supply each project with the paint and paint thinner. GLAD will enlist volunteers and equipment to complete the community project together.
GLAD has assisted individuals and entities in guidance to resources to meet their needs. These needs have included the following: organizing a housing development meeting with resource providers; giving informational resources out concerning individual housing needs; business consulting by the SDBC in the GLAD office; Volunteer Income Tax Assistance at the GLAD office for qualified individuals, and providing referrals and information for grant projects, road projects, marketing tourism, and contacts/consultants for entrepreneurs to work with.
Part 4: Planned Initiatives
Part 4: Planned Initiatives
4.1 COMMUNICATION
Enabling the community to know, understand, and support economic development strategies is an important opportunity. Communication is a key link in creating the capacity to organize projects and work together. In addition, educating on rural development, researching ideas to further projects, and engaging in developing more informational resources about the area are all pieces GLAD will be putting together. Some objectives GLAD is looking at are the following:
• GLAD Newsletter;
• Reports to stakeholders;
• Hosting forums –ways to involve the public;
• Increasing attendance at GLAD meetings;
• Ask communities / stakeholders what they want/expect;
• Share information –between GLAD and communities and between communities, board, and GLAD;
• Meeting notices –meet in different towns, bring resources to area (let people know when / where);
• Work with bringing people back to the region (activities like Dakota Roots);
• GLAD minutes on the radio; and/or
• Develop a resource guide.
GLAD Report May 2007 page 8
4.2 TOURISM
Tourism is an opportunity that should be leveraged in the future. According to Dr. Beddow’s interviewing results, many feel tourism might be the best and most natural activity to pursue regionally. Dr. Beddow further states that if quality of life is an important part of a population stabilization strategy, then visitor (tourism) investments should be considered for how they would both enhance quality of life for residents and make the region more appealing to visitors. GLAD will look into accomplishing some of the following objectives under tourism:
• Regional Promotion (includes partners such as Glacial Lakes, State, communities, businesses, attractions, etc.)
• Education for business owners, employees (i.e. hospitality training)
• Play a coordinating role, catalyst
• Create a Regional Map including cross selling attractions
• Foster tourism atmosphere
• Involve youth—market research, marketing, volunteers (RLC)
• Special events Ft. Sisseton, town events, wellness, charity auction, celebrity pheasant hunt GLAD events / events GLAD could assist and sponsor.
4.3 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Business development has a broad meaning to GLAD. Business development encompasses enhancing opportunities for new enterprise to emerge and for current businesses to expand. It also entails providing housing, youth gardening opportunities, and leadership education. The following list describes in more detail many ideas GLAD could tackle upon available resources:
• The Executive Director as a resource repository, connection to network, identifies resources, and connects people and communities to them,
• Housing—need an assessment in some/all communities to determine overall plan, NESDCAP a resource
• Look at opportunities for increased income potential; assist new business; help existing businesses to expand
• Research agency resources—help people identify and connect to the right ones (i.e. bringing SBDC to the county regularly)
• Youth –volunteers; business plans
• Town meeting in each town; data collection
• What are other communities outside of the region doing?
• What are other communities doing in housing, affordable, etc?
• Ownership succession planning—keeping businesses from selling to out of town owners—closing down.
• Connect with other agencies and contractors.
4.4 FULL TIME STAFF
GLAD is in now in a position to hire a full-time staff person with the continued support of each community partner and private stakeholders. GLAD received a Rural Development RCDI Grant, which provides $20,000 each year over a three year period for staff salary and training. GLAD will be conducting the following maneuvers: contact NESDCAP; establish a job description; define board and staff roles and responsibilities; and conduct long-term financial and program planning for sustainability.
4.5 ENERGY DEVELOPMENT
GLAD seeks opportunities to support efforts in the sphere of renewable energy resources. This will take thinking outside of the box, keeping current and staying educated, looking into the USDA 9006 program, identifying projects (green buildings and housing programs) feasibility studies as costs change, youth education and participation, and energy conservation.
Part 5: Conclusion
Building our future will take patience, a can-do attitude, open-mind thinking, and a willingness to try new things. Together, as one community, we can create a better future. We are just beginning—laying the foundation that will transform our community. We can serve as the architect, but the true building will be done by the people of the Glacial Lakes Area. We are one year wiser, and one step closer to that future.
GLAD exists to:
• facilitate communities’ access to resources;
• facilitate regional economic development collaborations;
• being a conduit for enterprise; and
• strengthening the ability to get economic and community development initiatives done.
Contact us: Scott Amundson, Director 605.448.0005 gladsd@venturecomm.net
Appendix A: 2006-2007 Budget
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INCOME *In-kind Donations made:
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2006 Actual
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2007 Budget -Marshall County =$1,380 for
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Community Partners office rent and utilities.
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Britton City
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$ 6,640
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$ 6,640 -Michael Michalak =$1,250 for
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Langford Town
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$ 1,500
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$ 1,500 website development
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Pierpont Town
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$ 600
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$ 600
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Lake City Town
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$ 200
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$ 200
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Veblen Town
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$ 1,150
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$ 1,150
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Eden Town
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$ 500
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$ 500
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Marshall County
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$ 4,300
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$ 4,300
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BED Board City of Britton
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$ 5,000
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$ 5,000
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4 Seasons Coop.
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$ 1,000
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$ 1,000
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Lake Region Electric
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$ 2,500
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$ 2,500
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East River Electric
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$ 2,500
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$ 2,500
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Venture Communications
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$ 2,500
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First Savings Bank
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$ 1,000
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Lucas Lentsch
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$ 100
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$ -
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Diane Fredrickson
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$ 100
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$ -
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$ 26,090 $ 29,390 (projected total)
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Special Events
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Diva Purse Auction
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$ 2,246 $ -
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Celebrity Pheasant Hunt
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$ 1,100 $ 1,100
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Grants
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$3,346
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$ 1,100
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RCDI
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$ 20,000
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Avera Health
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$ 1,000
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Youth Grant
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$ 300
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$ 21,300
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Remaining Income
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$ 28,383 (remaining from ’06)
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TOTAL INCOME
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$ 29,436
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$ 80,173 (projected total)
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EXPENSES
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Last Year's Expenses Paid This Year
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$ 2,485
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Administrative Expenses
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Contract labor
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$2,210
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$ 41,291 (full-time staff for 1 yr. including benefits)
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Insurance
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$ -
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$ 750
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Filing fees
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$ 25
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$ 750
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Meetings expense
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$ -
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$ 500
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Memberships/Registrations
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$ -
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$ 700
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Office Equipment & Supplies
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$ 50
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$ 2,000
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Postage
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$ -
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$ 200
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Telephone/Internet
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$ 320
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$ 2,040
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Travel
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$ 109
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$ 4,800
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Marketing/Printing
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$ 293
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$ 1,200
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Miscellaneous Expense
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$ -
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$ 1,000
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Legal fees
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$ -
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$ 1,000
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Bookkeeping
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$ -
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$ 1,500
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$ 3,034 $ 57,731
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Programs, Projects
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GLAD Wellness Retreat
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$ -
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$ 4,000
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Tourism
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$ -
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$ 500
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$ 4,500
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Contingency Fund
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$ -
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$ 500
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TOTAL EXPENSES
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$3,034 $ 62,731
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NET RESERVE GAIN (LOSS) $ -
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$17,442
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