Tuesday, July 19, 2011

JULY 18, 2011 STEP Meeting Agenda, Minutes, Additional forms from Chilton Rogers

AGENDA
RED SPRINGS NC STEP LEADERSHIP TEAM
COMMUNITY BUILDING (CROSS ST.)
MONDAY, JULY 18, 2011
6:30 – 8:30 P.M.

I. Welcome and Announcements – STEP Co-chair Willie Goodyear

II. Strategy & Project Development Review – NC STEP Coach Chilton Rogers

A. Go over strategy “Issues for Implementation” for each subcommittee

B. Discuss rough drafts of projects

Ask: Does this project address an “issue for implementation” for your strategy?

Think about the impact of each project: Will this project really make a difference?

What additional information is needed to complete the proposed project?

V. Next Steps

Ø  Presentation to Town Board (coach) – Tuesday, Aug. 2nd ?
Ø  Finalize Projects
Ø  Prioritize Projects
Ø  Leadership Team presents STEP plan to Town Board

VI. Adjourn – Next meeting date – Monday, Aug. 15, 2011

MINUTES

Red Springs NC STEP Meeting Minutes of MONDAY, JULY 18, 2011
Respectfully submitted by Margie Labadie


I. Welcome and Announcements – STEP Co-chair Johnny Robertson (Willie Goodyear was not in attendance.)

* Introduction of new Red Springs Town Manager, Bob Schaumleffel

* Chilton welcomed everyone and reviewed the STEP Leadership work to date.

* Margie announced that a blog has been created for the STEP Project.

*Chilton discussed her upcoming presentation to the Red Springs Town Board that will prepare them for our presentation later this year. She discusssed how we proceed with our plans to present. She will help us with our presentation that will happen in August or September.

* Everyone introduced themselves.

II. Strategy & Project Development Review by NC STEP Coach Chilton Rogers

Strategy statements in their present form were read aloud to the group.

Margie read Broadening Education
Michele read Aesthetics
Caroline read Leadership
Entrepreneurship was not available

Chilton explained that we needed to revise our statements. She provided the town of  Warsaw's statement (along with others) to be used as a reference because it is an excellent strategy statement. Chilton explained how their strategy statement addresses all the issues. This is a great model!  NOTE: (This form is below in this blog.)

III. We broke into three groups: Broadening Education, Aesthetics, and Leadership with new attendees joining the group of their choice. The task was to re-write our Strategy Statements to reflect the same detail and structure as the Warsaw example.

Our task during the next month is to meet and  go over strategy “Issues for Implementation” for each subcommittee.

We are to use the provided PROJECT TEMPLATE. Johnny will email, see below in this blog. THIS FORM AND FORMAT BECOMES PART OF THE CONTRACT WITH THE RURAL CENTER so it is critical that we do it right!

Some notes to that end:

Think about the impact of each project:
Will this project really make a difference?
What additional information is needed to complete the proposed project?

IV. The meeting adjourned at 9 PM – Next meeting date – Monday, Aug. 15, 2011

Addendum to Minutes from Chilton:

At our August meeting, we will go over the strategy statements briefly (and be happy with what y’all have written) and move into discussion of the projects.  It is important to get as far along with the individual projects as possible so that our discussion at the full leadership team meeting will be richer and we can see how everything is fitting together.

Also, some people have had difficulty working with the project template, and we have reformatted it.  It is below along with the instructions.  

FORMS:

NEW PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS & TEMPLATE

INSTRUCTIONS




TEMPLATE:

  
FORMS (continued)

WARSAW Physical Revitalization document (Written by the Warsaw STEP Leadership Committee)



Warsaw was once a thriving and proud little town with a lively and successful business district. Over the years community pride has diminished and the appearance of the town has deteriorated. This deterioration has led to failed businesses and closed store fronts which have further detracted from the towns’ appearance and desirability. For what ever reason, we have blamed the problem on other people, other places and other things. In fact, if we just look at our town the way a stranger might see it, we see overgrown yards, buildings with tarps covering holes in their roofs, junk stored on porches and in front of buildings and downtown store fronts in desperate need of attention. It is believed that an attractive town will result in a rebirth of community pride as well as a revitalization of our business environment. The project outcome is to develop an “on going”, continuous plan to re-establish and maintain a beautiful Warsaw and at the same time establish a new sense of community pride, comradery and economic growth.

There is a consensus that over the years the appearance of the town has diminished for any number of reasons;
 

1. Many property owners are elderly and do not have the ability to maintain their property as they once did.
 

2. Some property owners live out of town and are either incapable or unwilling to maintain their properties.
 

3. There is a lack of community pride as well as pride in the community.
 

4. Economic conditions as well as attitude either limit or diminish resources or efforts to maintain individual properties
 

5. There has been a lack of leadership initiative for town beautification.
 

6. The importance of the towns’ appearance relative to economic growth has not been recognized and dealt with.

In order to stimulate community pride as well as economic growth, the appearance of the town should be foremost on everyone’s mind. The residents of the town should actively support a town beautification effort both in spirit and in action. There are many of reasons why we should work together to improve our towns’ appearance.
 

1. An attractive and well maintained Warsaw will be more conducive to economic growth and new business development.
 

2. Warsaw is an important gateway to Duplin County from I-40.
 

3. The towns improved appearance will make it more desirable for people looking to move to the area.
 

4. An attractive and well maintained Warsaw will re-establish and restore that sense of community pride.
 

5. New people coming to town as well as community pride will enhance our property values.
 

6. Growth in population will make the town more attractive to new businesses.

Some of the effort to create and maintain a more beautiful Warsaw will require public funding and public support. This will be in the form of financial commitments as well as enforcement policy. Other parts of the effort must be accomplished by citizen involvement through an organized and active plan of activity. A town’s beauty is found not only in its physical appearance but also in its sprit and community involvement. This is not a “one time” solution. Certain projects to be developed such as landscaping, street lights, or signage might be termed “one time”, however much of this strategy will involve citizen participation over time and on an “on going” basis. It’s our town, it’s our responsibility.



Lansing Project Template - (Example for us to use as a model. See both parts A and B)


 A.
 B.



 Valdese Economic Development Entrepreneurship Sample Project: Strategy Template (Example for us to use as a model. See both parts A and B)



A.

 B.




TABOR CITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY:  BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT  
(Example for us to use as a model. See both parts A and B)


A.
B.


Monday, June 27, 2011

JUNE 20, 2011 STEP Meeting Agenda, Minutes, Red Springs Identified Strategies and Economic Development Strategy Instructions

AGENDA
RED SPRINGS NC STEP LEADERSHIP TEAM
COMMUNITY BUILDING (CROSS ST.)
MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2011
6:30 – 8:30 P.M.


I. Welcome and Announcements – STEP Co-chair Willie Goodyear

Ø Small Towns Creating Opportunities: Investing in People Workshop Report (Johnny R., John M., Jim V., Sally C., Michelle G., Willie G., Charles C., Tommy C., Shearlie M. in Red Springs, May 23rd)

Ø Review Each Strategy Statement: Framing Your Strategy

Ø Organize subcommittees
• Identify subcommittee chairs
• Expand to include additional community members
• Share names w/leadership team to avoid duplication
• Invite to next subcommittee meeting

Ø Prioritize Projects
Ø Presentation to Town Board (coach)

VI. Adjourn – Next meeting date – Monday, July 18, 2011


Red Springs NC STEP Meeting Minutes of June 20, 2011
Respectfully submitted by Margie Labadie


Willie Goodyear welcomed the group. 

Chilton: recap (See paperwork from Chilton)

Announcements:  CAP materials passed out

NOTES / ANNOUCEMENTS / RESOURCES:

1. NC Rec & Park Assoc. w/ BC/BC.  www.ncrpa.net
Michelle Wells, MPA, CPRP
Program Director
NC Recreation & Park Association 
883 Washington St. Raleigh NC 27605
919-832-5868

2. Changing Lives, Impacting Communities
Tessa Eliza thraves 
Community-based food systems Coordinator
Center for Environmental Farming Systems 
919-619-8897

3.
Www.shapeyourworldnc.com    FED money to improve environment

4.

5. Announcement: Town oriented: Talent Enhancement Capacity  Blding w/shop June 30th

6. IMPORTANT! READ THIS REPORT:
State of NC Workforce Report - www.nccommerce.com
read executive summary.
This study measured metropolitan areas, micropolitan areas, rural areas.  College and beyond - you need skills, be certified and credentials, credit scores, drug tests...Migration levels increased and more

Meeting continues:

First Tuesday of every month is our town council meeting. At a future town meeting, Chilton will present to them and prepare them for our economic plan. This to prevent any future bumps in the road. 

Donna Sullivan: tech assistant for Eastern North Carolina Authority  broadband. She helps develop strategies, develop literacy, centers etc. They map infrastructure across the state and supply it to the FED Gov. Their organization will sunset, but funds for technical assistance will go to Dept. Of Commerce. 


Strategy Statement Review:
We need to do the NC STEP STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT:
Framing Your Strategy (form)
This information goes to the Rural Center for approval. 

** Bob H. reported on Broadening Education
** Johnny R. reported on aesthetics 
** Caroline S. reported on Leadership
** Kim P. reported on Entrepreneurship
** Last mile internet James M. reported

Guest speaker about Internet: Donna Sullivan has thumb drive of information on Broadband availability... If we wanted a wifi area the town would pay, it would be free for businesses.

** Willie reported on Philanthropy, Tim introduced study done by Center for Community Action

What followed were some discussion with Chilton on "how this process works".

Question about our upcoming process: Can the town can change our strategies?
Answer: No, not really.

Question: How will strategies be implemented?
Answer: Our strategies will be implemented consecutively with others.

BUT we need to get the strategies first...strategies help us identify issues that need to be addressed. 

Tonight:
Work in strategy subcommittees now to identify STRATEGIES
Elect co-chairs
Add'l members to invite
Schedule next meetings
Developing projects

CHILTON'S ANALOGY!
Diet: philosophy on food = Vision
Meals: simple or complex   =   Strategies
Individual dishes. =  Individual dishes (how do we make it)
Recipe & ingredients = Project template

When we meet next:

1.  Frame Our Strategies - Chilton will take these to the town so they must be complete.
2.  Brainstorm ideas for projects
3.  Start working with project templates (DO NOT COMPLETE TEMPLATES)
4.  Invite new individuals & organizations to join in

Addendum:

By the end of the evening, there were 4 Strategies identified instead of 6. 
Meeting dates were established for the following groups: 


June 29:
1. Entrepreneurial Economy
2. Broadening Educational Opportunities

June 30:
3. Leadership Pipeline
4. Aesthetics

We will meet at 6:30 each night. A light dinner will be served at 6:15. 


RED SPRINGS IDENTIFIED STRATEGIES
MAY 16, 2011


1. Broadening Educational Opportunities for traditional and nontraditional students

Jim, Callie, Anika, Margie, John L.

2. Remake Red Springs into an Entrepreneurial Economy -- Identify and partner with the community supports that help small businesses and entrepreneurs succeed (heavy reliance on SE Entrepreneurial Alliance (Kim P.), ElectriCities and chamber) – Utilize Hispanic mentors as a focus of support – and Market the Red Spring itself.

Kim P., Willie G., Eva, Brandy, Bob Mc

3. Establish a Leadership Pipeline for future community and business leaders

Kim P., Willie G., Tim H., Johnny

4. Bring the “Last Mile” of high speed, fiber optic internet service to Red Springs and make it accessible and affordable for all its citizens (e-NC assistance – Donna Sullivan)

John Mc, Chubb

5. Expand Philanthropy (NC Gives example)

Margie, Frances,Bob M., Michelle G.. John Mc,Caroline, Chub H., Neil M., Elma, Chris, Jimmy, Tim

6. Enhance the Beautification and Aesthetics of Red Springs to make it a more attractive place for people to live, work and play – and boost community pride

Dale M., Eva, Michelle, Candace, Johnny






May 23, 2011 Red Springs Hosts: Small Towns Creating Opportunities: Agenda

AGENDA
 

Small Towns Creating Opportunities: Investing in People

NC STEP TRAINING
Monday, May 23, 2011
Red Springs Community Center
122 Cross St.
Red Springs, NC

9:00 a.m.                Registration, coffee, set up

10:00 a.m.              Welcome – Mayor John McNeil
                             Overview of the Day – Art Jackson, Director, NC STEP
                             Introductions – Chilton Rogers, NC STEP Head Coach

10:20 a.m.              Moving toward Implementation of Strategies – Chilton

10:40 a.m.           Connecting People on the Economic Margins to Planned     Opportunities – Yolanda Burwell, Senior Fellow
                                    
Noon                       Lunch (working)

1:00 p.m.                         Reporting out from Towns

2:00 p.m.              Presentation by Asset Builders in the Region
                                      Katina Perry, Benefit Bank
                                      Bob McKee, GATE
                                      Kim Pevia, SE Entrepreneurship Alliance

2:45 p.m.              Wrap Up and  Evaluation  (Survey Monkey)

3:00 p.m.             Closing & Adjourn

NOTE: In attendance for Red Springs:
John McNeil, Jim Vaughn, Sally Cobb, Barbara Melvin, Michelle Gaitley, Charles Chrestman, Willie Goodyear and Johnny Robertson

May 16, 2011 - STEP Meeting - Agenda, Minutes, Framing Your Strategy Paper, Red Springs Strategy Discussion Paper

AGENDA
RED SPRINGS NC STEP LEADERSHIP TEAM
COMMUNITY BUILDING (CROSS ST.)
MONDAY, MAY 16, 2011
6:30 – 8:30 P.M.

I. Welcome and Announcements – STEP Co-chair Willie Goodyear

v REDI Report – Johnny Robertson

II. Economic Development Strategies

Ø Consensus on Strategies – Strategy Discussion Paper

III. Strategy Subcommittee Structure

Ø Establish subcommittees
• Identify subcommittee chairs
• Identify members
• Expand to include additional community members
• Invite to next meeting for orientation and to begin project
development

Ø Draft strategy implementation statement – See “Framing Your Strategy”

IV. Adjourn – Next meeting date – Thursday, June 20, 2011




Minutes of STEP Meeting May 16, 2011 with Chilton Rogers
Respectfully submitted by Margie Labadie, Secretary

1.Willie Goodyear opened and welcomed new people.

2. Chilton began and everyone introduced themselves.
Chilton discussed Mission statement and Vision statement were passed around the
room

Annoucements :
A. Wastewater workshop / physical infrastructure

B. STEP Spring Training workshop will be in RS from 10-2 is full. SMALL Towns
Creating Opportunities. 3 New publications.
Living on the Margins:
Rural NC in the Aftermath of the Great Recession
Asset-building Strategies for the Low-income Families
A Guidebook for Connecting Individuals to Opportunity

Johnny report on REDI

1) Strategy Discussion Paper  (SEE BELOW)
Consensus on Strategies

2) Framing Your Strategy
Strategic subcommittees

3) project development

Proposed Discussion...

1) Broadening Educational Opportunities - skill delivery in relevant & interesting ways.
Community Access. Library part of county system as of July.

2) Remake RS into an entrepreneurial economy - community supports already in place.
Use the Red Spring and market Red Springs.Hispanic mentors a focus of support. Kim,
ElectricCities and Chamber should be a part.

3) Leadership Pipeline

4) "Last Mile" broadband - Donna Sullivan e-NC

(Note: send community assessment to new people)

5) Expand philanthropy - NC Gives

6) Beautification & Aesthetics

Speakers:

Kim Pevia- Regional Coordinator, Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is about building upon lessons of the past. What do you want to do?
Vision is needed.

Jim Stella - ElectricCities, Retail Development Specialist
Share business ideas within the community. Get business plans together. Get
established businesses to support new businesses.
Mentors needed.

*Broadening Education
Jim Vaughn
MBL
Callie Smith
Frances Patterson
Anika
Kim P

*Remake Red Springs thru e-ship

Kim P
Bob M
Willie
Michelle
Eva
John mcN
Brandy
Caroline
Bob Mc

*L-ship
Kim
Margie
Willie
Chub
Tim H
Neil

Elma

*"last mile"
(e-NC)
John mcN
Chris
Chubb
Jimmy Melvin

*Aesthetics
Dale
Candace
Eva
Johnny
Michelle

* Philanthropy
Frances
Tim
Willie

Groups will meet and develop a strategy statement. To answer what this mean for RS.
Use Strategy Development - Framing your strategy. form. Final document should be
about 1/2 page long.

Group will meet June 9 & 16 @ 6 pm for dinner. Meeting starts at 6:30. We may have a
change of venue if Community room is booked.

During these meetings folks will develop strategies. Send completed strategy
documents to Margie/Johnny and we will forward to Chilton.
Chilton Will compile and bring to next monthly STEP meeting on June 20th which is a
MONDAY.

Only 3 more months until we finish!

----



 FRAMING YOUR STRATEGY: FROM CHILTON ROGERS










































Red Springs Strategy Discussion Paper
NC STEP Program
May 16, 2011


At the last Red Springs STEP Leadership Team meeting held on Monday, April 18th, 2011, discussion focused on two subjects: (1) Red Springs’ Community Assessment, especially the matrix of assets and constraints to growing and sustaining a local economy, and (2) strategy development. The Community Assessment is the second deliverable required by the NC Rural Center during the planning phase of the STEP program (the first being the Community Profile).

The Matrix of Assets and Constraints in the Red Springs Community Assessment was the springboard for brainstorming potential economic development strategies for the town. The team was asked to look for broad strategies and themes that stood out to them. What patterns did they see by matching the asset or constraint about their community with one or more of the “six paths to growing an economy?”

To think about the viability of potential strategies, several questions were put to the Leadership Team to consider as they discussed possibilities:

v What’s possible and/or doable for the town and the leadership team to accomplish?

v What are the opportunities presented by the strategy (i.e., what assets support it)?

v What are the weaknesses of it (i.e., what barriers constrain it)?

v Who is the target audience? (audiences)

v What are the goals of this strategy – what is it supposed to accomplish?

v If you were to move to Red Springs, what would you look for?

v What business support strategies make the most sense?

v What community development and civic engagement initiatives need to be in place or happen to reach your target audience(s)?

The following is a summary of the strategy identification discussion:

1) Concentrate on broadening educational opportunities in Red Springs for traditional and non-traditional students. Given that the graduation rate in Red Springs sits at 69% and that 21st century jobs require more and different educational attainment (plus computer literacy skills) for the community to be economically competitive, much discussion centered on skill delivery. That is, how can the young and/or unemployed people in the Red Springs area get the training they need to get or create a good job without being “turned off?”

Questions such as:

v What can the STEP leadership team do to help keep kids in school and graduate?

v What can the STEP leadership team do to help get those out of school retrained with the skills and/or certifications necessary for them to either get better jobs or create ones for themselves?

v To what degree does the community value education? How can this be improved?

Current delivery systems are not attractive nor do they have the equipment and resources necessary -- and young people want a place to go to hang out, learn, and access state of the art equipment and high speed internet connection. Robeson Community College (RCC), UNC-P, the K-12 school system, 4-H, NC REAL (Note: Is this available in Red Springs or through RCC?), and the Boys and Girls Club offer alternative educational opportunities in the Red Springs area, however, the offerings are not coordinated nor are they delivered in a format that young people like – or that seem relevant to them.

Could there be a central location where all these modalities intersect and the content is youth driven or directed? Could the STEP team coordinate offerings and re-format them around interactive and creative activities as well as vocational training so young people would have a central place to meet and gather after school -- and those currently not in school could also participate?

2) Remake Red Springs into an entrepreneurial economy. Under present economic conditions, and even before the Great Recession hit, Red Springs lacked many good, well-paying jobs. In the 21st economy, the traditional factory job is a thing of the past – and the skills one learned to succeed then are not enough and don’t match the job requirements of today. In fact, the reality is that many people must create their own livelihoods and supporting entrepreneurship is a viable economic development strategy in today’s economic climate.

When thinking about this, what community supports need to be in place for small businesses and entrepreneurs to succeed? The Red Springs community has access to the Small Business Center and entrepreneurship classes at RCC, and a near-by SCORE chapter for one-on-one business consultations and mentoring. A chamber of commerce is also active in Red Springs. Can the STEP leadership team partner with existing business support organizations and muster additional resources to create the  conditions to support a culture of entrepreneurship in the community?

More is needed than individual technical support. Entrepreneurs must be nurtured and grown. Will the established business community welcome and nurture new businesses and help them succeed? Will young people be encouraged to start businesses and be given the advice, mentorship and resources for them to try out new ideas and grow their ventures? Are there business opportunities with nearby military installations that local businesses can capitalize on? The Rural Center’s Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship has a wealth of resources and experience to help communities develop a support system for entrepreneurs and is available for assistance if this is a strategy the Red Springs STEP leadership team wishes to pursue.

3) Establish a leadership pipeline for future community and business leaders. The group referenced the need to cultivate new leaders but it wasn’t fleshed out in detail.

4) Bring the “last mile” of high speed, fiber optic internet service to Red Springs.

Is downtown wireless? Can people and businesses access high speed internet connections affordably? Do students have access to high speed internet and state of the art computers, web tools and applications? The e-NC Authority is working on protocols to help communities bring broadband infrastructure to their citizens and businesses and has assigned a technical specialist to the Red Springs area. Like the Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship, this organization is ready and willing to lend assistance. Adequate broadband infrastructure is not a luxury; it is a requirement for success and competitiveness in the 21st economy.

Regardless of what potential strategies are finally decided upon, several questions to always keep in mind are:

•What are the types of jobs that will be created with this strategy?

•Are the people in the community equipped with the necessary skills?

•Will the STEP leadership team and community see the strategy through to fruition?

The discussion also touched upon amenities and quality of life attributes that make a community an attractive location and a desirable place to live. Thus, cultural, educational and community development are also important for the town’s success. For example, improving recreational facilities and programs can be a key component to making the community more family-friendly and a more desirable location for people to live.

Red Springs’ vision statement and the several possible strategies touched upon above suggest a number of possible strategies for its economic development efforts. The town is poised to capitalize on its assets, overcome barriers and to reinvigorate itself, if it adopts appropriate strategies, develops relevant projects and pursues them with sufficient vigor and intensity.

WHAT’S TO FOLLOW:

Whatever specific projects the Leadership Team develops under each strategy, its first priority is to its current local citizens to better their circumstances for the long term, specifically improving the level of income and job capacity of the community. Local citizens, as members of the NC STEP Leadership Team, will be the ones to support and implement the economic development plan using the assets and resources the community currently possesses and muster others. Especially at the early stages of strategy implementation, most of the work will be done by the Leadership Team and members of the strategy subcommittees. As capacity builds and additional investments are made, more resources will be leveraged from inside and outside the community, but it must always be remembered that the community itself is ultimately responsible for the success of its efforts.

Once a consensus of the selected strategies among the STEP Leadership Team has been reached (scheduled for our May meeting), subcommittees will be formed under each strategic area. Co-chairs and subcommittee members will be identified and recruited, and a schedule established for the subcommittees to meet for the purpose of identifying and developing projects. Each subcommittee will meet on its own to complete its task. Project templates have been developed to help in this process and will be introduced once the leadership team has chosen its economic development strategies.







April 19, 2011 STEP Minutes

STEP Meeting April 19, 2011

Mayor McNeill welcomed everyone

1) May 23 STEP workshops 10AM - 3:00pm
What will we need to do? Chilton will send info.

2) Sustainability article - turn into PDF to email
Take time to browse through the NC Rural center, RC Resource Guide,

3)See small Towns/ Big Ideas & Rural Reserve guide.

4) Collect visioning exercise

Johnny reports on REDI:
Rural Economic Development Institute - Leadership is key. Leaders are made, not born.
Civic infrastructure
Physical infrastructure
Work force development
Business development

5) Community Assessment program - see handout "A"

"Projects come and go, strategies remain."

For each strategy:

1) what's possible / doable
2) what are opportunities presented by and in place for this strategy
3) what are weaknesses
4) who is the target audience? Think about economic development? What do people want and need?

5) what are the strategy's goals? What is it supposed to accomplish?

If you were to move to Red Springs what would you look for?

What kind of business strategies make the most sense?

Chilton will type up notes and give to Johnny.

May meeting we will decide on strategies.
There will be a public meeting to discuss what is going to happen.
We will develop projects based on this.

March 21 Step Meeting Agenda, Minutes + blank Visioning Statement

AGENDA
RED SPRINGS NC STEP LEADERSHIP TEAM
COMMUNITY BUILDING (CROSS ST.)
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2011
6:30 – 8:30 P.M.

I. Welcome and Introductions – STEP Co-chair Willie Goodyear

II. Review of Community Assessment Worksheets & Thought Sheet (Exercises 2, 3 & 4)
     
III. Vision Review and Visioning Exercise (Work in Sub-groups)

Red Springs is a thriving, energetic, warm, robust, family-oriented town; one that cares for the needs of all its citizens; a place everyone can call home.  Ours is a progressive community committed to excellence in education and continuously working to improve our quality of life through beautification, environmental amenities and exceptional delivery of public services.  Culturally diverse, we embrace our rich heritage as we work in unity and with respect seeking economic opportunities for continued progress and prosperity. 

IV. Next Steps:

            Presentation of Community Assessment

            Begin Strategy Identification

 V. Adjourn – Next meeting date – Monday, April 18, 2011



Minutes of the STEP Meeting for
March 21 Step Meeting Chilton Rogers


Willie Goodyear - welcome

Community Announcements - Margie: DCC at UNCP on April 2 and Street Fest April 16

Chilton:

2 Books going into Town Hall (Online if needed too)

1. References & Strategies for towns:
Small Towns BIG IDEAS, Case Studies in Small Town Development

2. North Carolina Rural Resource Guide from The Rural Center

Article from Reynolds Price.

STEP subcommittee meeting reports: Chilton will summarize.

Beginning Strategy Identification

STEP VISION

1.Visioning Statement. Use visioning worksheet. Johnny has electronically and anyone can get it from him.

2. Reference Burnesville/Yancey 2011/2021








February 20th, 2011 - Minutes - Reports on 6 Paths.

Red Springs NC STEP Meeting Minutes February 20th, 2011
Respectfully submitted by Margie Labadie


Welcome by Willie Goodyear
Announcements: Chilton Rogers

1. Johnny Robertson will attend REDI.  Congratulations Johnny!
2.  CAP program, Governor Purdue announced  $46 million coming into the state from the Federal government.
3.  Resourceful Communities workshops coming for Project planning and grant writing. March 15-16th in Goldsborogh.

Reports on 6 Paths.

Group 1  Chub Henderson reported










Group 2   Michele Gaitley reported



















Group 3 - Johnny and Neil




































































Final announcements and instructions from Chilton:

Do:  Community Assessment Thought Sheet
Exercises 2-3
To be done by groups:
What do you want the town to be known for?
What did the town used to be?
Opportunities to cooperate (with neighbors) regionally

Community Assessment Worksheet, Assets & Challenges

If groups have time they can add into this section: Community Assessment Exercise: Social, Political, Environmental & Economic.