Notes for May 7, 2012 Partners 4 Progress meeting

    Action Team Reports:

a.       RAT:  Looking at a possible Youth Mission.  Resource Action Team checked into domain names for the BAT group.  BAT is looking at having a domain name for the Tri-C area.

b.      CART:  The 2^nd Annual Yard Clean Up was successful and our donations met and exceeded the costs.  There were 22 kids form Jefferson School planned to work throughout the day.  Hotdogs and other foods were available and we filled two dumpsters with “stuff.”  The team is in the planning stages of a fall garage sale.

The business directory for the Tri-C area is available from CART members.  This business directory was brainstormed, designed, and created by CART.

c.       Tri-C Trails:  The team met and cleared up some misinformation.  The grant they put together was not submitted due to knowledge that funding was not available.  (This is much better than our grant proposal being denied!)  We are looking at alternative funding sources and trail materials.  We are also in the process of writing a letter to the larger Tri-C community to clear up some questions/concerns about the trail.

d.      BAT:  This team also hosted a conversation with a handful of local business owners.

   NEXT MEETING:  Tuesday June 5 at 7:30 in the Conception Abbey’s cafeteria.           

April Steering Committee Notes

Tri-C Partners 4 Progress
Steering Committee Notes
April 9, 2012

Tri-C Vision
A healthy community working towards a common good:
Building on untapped gifts, full potential of youth,
a sense of pride, and economic opportunities.
Pulling together for future generations.
Those Present: Fr. Benedict, Fr. Daniel, Sr. Sophia, Catharine Ginther, Jane Pappert, Kevin Lager, Rick Behrens and Mary Lee
Welcome & Reflections on Center for Rural Affairs piece:  Those who read the article felt it reflected with this group is trying to accomplish.  What does investment mean?  Most people feel that they are investing in some way.  How focused is our investment.  Good things happening in this last week or two: Easter with family and first communion.  Hope in the future—Family came to Abbey for Easter mass.                              
Action Team Reports – Steering Committee’s role is SUPPORT       

·         RAT met at 6:30 April 9, 2012 Discussed investment article.  Agreed this article should be read may all in the community. Reviewed our online discussion about involving youth.  Laura will check in to a youth at home mission. 

·         CART preparing for the second annual cleanup day. Fr. Daniel extended an invitation from Annette Weeks to attend the Northwest Enterprise Facilitation group’s meeting.

·         Tri-C Trails met to discuss other funding options.

·         BAT  met to discuss welcome signs and getting the business director into each community household.

Looking Ahead – Preparing for Phase 3 – Calendar
June 1 - Co-Conveners Named & Trained
July 1 (?) – Begin Phase 3 (Cost - $3500)  Members are currently seeking support from outside the community from companies that support rural communities.
Next Meeting  --- Monday May 7, 2012 at Clyde Convent 7:30 pm                                                                        

February 6, 2012 meeting

Tri-C Partners 4 Progress Steering Committee Meeting

Monday, February 6, 2012, 7:30 p.m., Benedictine Sisters’ Monastery, Clyde
Present:  Rick Behrens, Mary Lee Meyer, Fr. Joel Derks, OSB, Jane Pappert, Catharine Ginther, Sr. Sophia Becker, OSB, Faith Goodwin, Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB, Hope Pappert, Melissa Wilmes, Fr. Benedict Neenan, OSB (secretary)
Minutes:
Struggles we face:  Rick asked everyone to reflect on and share what struggles they believe our organization or community face.  A sample of comments:

a.      Getting people to step forward to commit to being involved.

b.      How do we reach out to people who don’t want to be involved?

c.       Fundraising on schedule.

d.      Fear of change.

e.      Keeping a vital community.

f.        Getting youth involved, especially at junior high level.

g.      More imaginative fund-raising and getting word out.

h.      Getting more local men involved.

i.        Getting our message out, through a better PR effort, newspapers, blog, etc.

Marketing:  Fr. Daniel showed the draft of the brochure that Jenny Huard in the Abbey Communications Office devised for the most recent narrative.  People were enthusiastic about it and we suggested an initial printing of 500.  There are an estimated 300 households in the Tri-C area.

 Regional Conversation:  The conversation with people from King City has been scheduled for:  Thursday, Feb. 16, at 6:30 p.m. in the Eiberger Building in King City. 

Next Meeting:  Monday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Dining Room at the Abbey.

November Meeting of Tri-C Partners 4 Progress

The Steering Committee met on Monday, Nov. 28th at 7:30 in the Abbey's seminarian cafeteria.  In attendance were Rick Behrens, Fr. Benedict, Catharine Ginther, Mary Lee Meyer, Jane Walters, Fr. Joel, Jane Pappert, Fr. Daniel and Sr. Sophia.

The opening question posed was "What are you thankful for?"  Answers varied from community meetings and celebrations of jubilees to having nobody injured in the storm in August and recovery being underway; the trip to Great Bend; moving into new house and monastery; a good friend's wedding; vacation time and family; good weather that allows work to be done on buildings.

Conference Reports and Reflections:  Fr. Joel and Mary Lee shared their experiences of the conference in Great Bend and Tony submitted a written synopsis of his experience.  

Action Team Reports:  RAT - December 3rd meeting of new businesses in this area, "Growing Your Business."  CART - they are working on the business directories, hoping to have a competition among the youth for the best cover design.  BAT (Business Accelerator Team) - ideas on a window sticker that lets people know they are a "Tri-C Business Booster;" the team is focusing on working with youth to help foster entrepreneurial/business star up skills; Tri-C Trails - the Phase One plan for the trail has been ok'ed by the school board and Rob Dowis is working with Andy Macias to complete the grant application.

Marketing Our Story:  We looked over the narrative that Fr. Daniel and Faith Goodwin put together, noting the effort they put forth.  However, it was suggested that another piece be done that is more narrative in style that we could use to tell our story.  This one can possibly be used for fundraising.  The suggestion was made that each action team write a short personnel story which can we woven into the new narrative piece.  (Mary Lee has sent out an email to this end.)  The committee then decided upon King City as the town that we would engage and invite to hear our story.  Rick shared that it was up to us to host members of King City, have a meal and talk with them.  Fr. Daniel, Mary Lee and Sr. Sophia volunteered to spearhead this task and will share information as it is available.
Next Meeting:  Monday, January 9th, at the convent.  South entrance drive and parking. 

Respectfully submitted by Sr. Sophia Becker, OSB