Supporting Non-Profits

Non-profit organizations are groups that really do not receive enough recognition for all their hard work and the good that they do to help out our friends and neighbors. These private organizations provide assistance in various areas of need more efficiently and at lower cost than if taken care of by expensive, complex government bureaucracy.

Sportsmen Against Hunger is a great organization that helps feed the hungry by bringing charitable hunters and hungry families together for mutual benefit. Hunters are able to shoot deer, and a needy family receives a freezer full of venison…everybody wins.

Farm Rescue is another great non-profit organization. Serious injury or illness can put farmers out of action, and a farmer out of action during the warm months means crops may not be planted or harvested. This non-profit helps out-of-commission farmers by assisting in planting/harvesting crops free of charge, so the farmer can have income for the year.

Many of these kinds of organizations exist to help out those of us that have come across hard times and have been less fortunate. Habitat for Humanity would be another good example. All these organizations have materialized through the decency of private individuals…not through government action. Neighbors helping neighbors strengthens the moral fiber of our communities in a way that government helping neighbors never could.

As a state, we need to encourage the growth of non-profits and minimize the red tape in the way that may hinder the development of these fantastic organizations.

Small Community Sovereignty...

The residents of Wayne Township (west of Sioux Falls) voted on Monday to remain independent of Minnehaha County control after losing most of the elected township board to resignations and lack of term-renewal interest, according to the Argus Leader. The rest of the story here…

Smaller communities all around the state and the country often find themselves in the position of being swallowed up by a larger community or decision-making body.

Even though it would be easy for the township to cede its sovereignty to the greater Minnehaha County authority, many residents showed up in refusal of that suggestion. Examples such as this really go to show how important local sovereignty is to a community, where citizens feel that decisions are best made through local leaders and local input. And so it is: government removed from the people that it serves soon becomes ineffectual and self-serving.

To quote the Republican Party platform, “I believe the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people.”

Fighting Against Homelessness...

KELO reports that South Dakota ranked 12th in the nation for recognizing the homeless within our state. Through many different means, whether it be government, local associations, or private organizations, we have been doing great identifying and helping out those less fortunate, something critical during these rough times. Read more here…

In addition, another article discusses how the child homelessness part of the study takes into account different categories, including homelessness per capita and state policy and planning efforts. Our characteristic concern for our neighbors, as well as a state that allows families more means to raise themselves out of poverty and better their own condition has helped create an environment here that helps keep our homeless rate lower.

Hopefully we can expand on these community-based efforts through partnerships to help raise South Dakota even higher than 12th in its efforts against homelessness.

A Place To Retire...

Sioux Falls was recently rated one of the United States’ top places to retire, according to KELO. Thanks to our non-existent state income tax (and low taxes in general), retired folk have found Sioux Falls and greater South Dakota a great place to retire when drawing upon retirement income.

The U.S. News & World article cited several other cities, all with similar low-tax burdens on the retired community. Of particular concern to us, though, is that this influx of older, retired persons combined with the outflow of younger, working individuals creates a vast need for retirement homes, with a shrinking productive tax base to help support such projects. We need to keep our youth here in order to minimize the age gap, enabling us to care for our senior citizens who find South Dakota a perfect place to retire.

We need a proactive strategy to show younger individuals all that South Dakota has to offer…it seems that our youth realize the benefits of our state in their later years, when they eventually return here, creating the void between the numbers of younger and older generations in our state.

Wow… We Really Can’t Put It Any Better Than That!

I always enjoy reading the De Smet News… there is something about the character of that community that resembles the pioneering spirit. Economic Development Director, Bret Gardella, wrote and article titled:

"Working Together, We Can Make A Lot of Things Happen In De Smet."

He is absolutely correct. A community creates itself. It’s actually pretty simple! This is the attitude we must work to develop in every community across South Dakota.

Keep up the good work!

Al Neuharth: Small Town Had A Big Influence…

Al Neuharth, journalist and founder of USA Today, was a guest of Eureka School and the featured speaker at the University of South Dakota career fair last week, sharing his thoughts and opinions with some of South Dakota’s brightest young minds. Among the topics of discussion were the U.S. presidential race, his favorite memories of growing up in Eureka, SD, and the most interesting people he has ever met. He also noted some of his advantages in life were due to the small town atmosphere and sense of community. From the Aberdeen American News…

What influence did Eureka and South Dakota have on you?

People from small towns like Eureka and elsewhere in middle America have an advantage over those from the coasts. And people at schools like Northern State University, South Dakota State University, and the University of South Dakota are better off than those who go to Ivy-League schools.

“Because you know what people are like. And people in larger towns and at upper-echelon schools don’t. They have blinders on,” Neuharth said.

After reading this I was discussing what Neuharth had said via email with a friend of mine who is a retired Superintendent of schools. His email reply to me contained a comment regarding closure of small town schools, which I would like to share…

Someday the powers that be will realize that students need a sense of community in order to develop completely. Yet we continue down a road contrary to what is best…and then they wonder why kids don’t care much about learning.

This is exactly what we need to foster in South Dakota. Students here are among the best and brightest in the nation… our communities have the capability to provide a strong social fabric that cannot be replicated anywhere else… and the sense of community in South Dakota, the same sense of community that Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote about De Smet, can be engendered once again.

Instead of managing community decline simply because that’s what is happening, let’s put together a course of action that can help all of our communities, large and small, continue to grow and prosper. In doing so, we can grasp the opportunities we have today, in order to build an even better future for tomorrow. After all… isn’t opportunity for a better future something we wish to leave for our children?

Wow… Congratulations to the Community of Clark

The Clark County Courier ran an article revealing Clark's status as philanthropic community of the year.

This is a great example of a community of purpose. The residents of Clark recognized their potential as a community and realized the benefits. The city and surrounding area are blessed to have such great residents.

Tom LaBrie, president of the Greater Clark Area Community Foundation, has it right:

“Together we can do so much more than each of us alone.”

This is the mindset we need to foster if we wish to revitalize community initiative across South Dakota. This is not only important for small rural communities, but larger urban centers as well. The more we get involved within our communities the better off we will all become.

Many examples such as this are developing across the state, whether they are Farmer’s Markets, Community Health Programs, or Educational Initiatives… and I am enthusiastic about continued progress.

That’s the Spirit!

In many cases in many small towns, people feel like they need to go with the flow. Often it is their belief that this is what’s happening, and there is nothing I can do about it. Well, for starters that preconceived notion is entirely false. Sure it would be very tough to achieve anything significant as one individual, but as the saying goes “A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.” Well, what about, “Any community transformation or community revitalization begins with a single idea or conviction.” That, my friends, is where individuals can do their part.

I came across an article in the Dakota Lakota Journal and was struck by the initiative in the community of Oldham. After years of out-migration and the consolidation of their school, they residents of the community, through the Horizon’s Program, were able to voice their opinions and achieve the community transformation that would make their town a better place to live. They accomplished many things including community beautification, the beginning of an Oldham Development Corporation, and a volunteer agreed to open a café/gas station. This is what community is all about. The residents of Oldham pulled together and made the decision to make their world a better place. All I can say is... That’s the Spirit!

Remember Your Roots…

This is very true…with everything our children work hard to accomplish, it is very beneficial for them to go out into the world…learn…enjoy, and maybe bring that experience back to share with us. I believe strongly in exploring the world, but when it comes time to raise a family, especially in the world today, I can think of no better place than South Dakota.
Many, in fact most people outside of the Midwest, do not understand the culture and value systems that run deep in the hearts and minds of the people who inhabit this beautiful part of the country. Nor do they understand that we have the same things here as they do on the east and west coasts. We have Starbucks, Barnes and Noble, specialty coffee shops, symphonies, museums, the list goes on. With the internet today, we are also just as connected to all the other fascinating societies all around the globe.
The underlying point of this post is not that we are better here in South Dakota, but we are just as good as anyplace else. A current advertisement running on television right now touts the benefits of living the “good life” in South Dakota. A newspaper editorial from the May 8 Emery Enterprise illustrates the “niceness” of South Dakotans.
I believe in South Dakota we do live the good life. I believe that our work ethic, our values, and our overall attitude make this a great place to live…

Globalized…

It’s true that the world has become globalized. With that in mind, we must remember that not everyone is like us here in South Dakota.

We should all take a little time to get to know more about other cultures. We are becoming a melting pot in business and in our neighborhoods. Degrees and courses in Global Studies are becoming more prevalent now, and they are geared to make a person applicable to work in a globalized world.

Sometimes we can get a little reluctant to be accepting of things different than what we are used to. But pushing ourselves to be global citizens is imperative if we are to remain competitive.

Developing A Niche…What Makes Your Community Unique?

The world is global now…and South Dakota needs to realize just how unique our resources are when compared to the rest of the world. It is a global economy and society: that means we should be attracting visitors from all over the world. We need to develop our niche…and utilize our strengths.

Rapid City is not the only community in South Dakota that could benefit from developing a brand name. Every community has a different story to tell, a different cultural identity, and a different historical background and characters. Sit back and think about the potential of your community. What is the history, culture, and geographic location? These are all questions worth answering, especially when developing brands and niches.

How can your community develop a brand for itself?

If You Want to Keep Your Small Communities Alive…Consider Buying Local

Great idea - the idea of a summer market is absolutely fantastic! With gas prices already TOO high and only getting higher, buying local becomes a very viable option. Plus…residents who buy locally within their communities are helping keep their community alive.

The Summer Market Project in Miner County will touch on many important elements of a healthy and successful community. Local residents can buy fresh produce, meat, eggs, honey, jam, etc. all while helping contribute to the local economy. Add in a little entertainment to the mix and you get a community event everyone can attend even if they do not wish to buy anything.

Taking time for projects and events like these are important when we try to add a little “community” in our lives. Congratulations to the creativity of the students of Howard High School!

Yes It Is…

To parallel my post regarding volunteering, from the Aberdeen American News article concerning small town theaters, philanthropy is high on the list next to volunteering for importance to rural communities. Citizens who cannot donate time, can donate a little money, and vice versa. As I have stated before…it’s all in how we work together as a community.

Communities Are On the Road to Success…

Yes…positive thinking and those wonderful three R’s (rejuvenated, revitalized, and revamped). Thank you, LeeAnne, for your thoughts and input regarding the developments in Hamlin County.

Each community has it own unique features and set of resources. It is a challenge at times to bring a community together around these resources and an even greater challenge to agree on how to use them… but having that conversation has all the value in the world. Figuring out what you want to be when you grow up as a community is important stuff and leadership will take you there.

All the more reason for a statewide strategic effort to allow communities more local control, enabling them to apply innovative strategies that will work for them in developing their niche and their future.

Volunteers...

The article is absolutely correct. Small town theaters are a good source of entertainment, social networking/participation, as well as a venue for a great date with someone special.

Volunteers really are the heart and soul of small community and the development of this important resource is unfortunately overlooked too often. In many cases, in fact probably most cases, small rural communities cannot afford to compensate anyone for their time and efforts for projects or programs such as these. When a business finds it difficult to survive this is a great way to keep a community thriving and growing… possibly to such an extent where their children may move their families back. Volunteers with a passion for public service, truly find happiness in serving others. Rolling up our sleeves and placing effort into great ideas such as this one will be imperative across South Dakota for progress in rural development.

A We Generation? What A Great Idea...

From the De Smet News, Creating the "We Generation."

What a great comment. Bret Gardells, economic development director, hit it on the head and the good news is this: communities can create significant impacts by setting the culture. It all starts at home and at the hub of each and every community – the school.

Our school systems are more than just a center for education for K-12 students. It can be and should be the focus of every community, developing a string matrix or fabric within their society.
You’re right Bret – WE just need to do it!