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

October Tri-C Partner 4 Progress Meeting

The Tri-C Partners 4 Progress met October 24^th.  The agenda included planning for the next 6 months: Writing the Tri-C Partners 4 Progress narrative of the last year.  Planning a regional  conversation with another community.  Funding for phase 3 of our progress.  Naming 2 co conveners for the steering committee.  The upcoming annual PSC conference in Great Bend, KS November 17 & 18.
Rick’s reflection was to ask each individual to introduce themselves and answer the question:  Which action team do you see as the most impactful action team and why?  The CART team followed by the Tri-C trails team was seen to be the most impactful.  Other teams were mentioned.
Each action team gave a short report:
CART-Community Action Renewal Team reported a very positive reaction to the community wide garage sale.  Community members were astonished at the number of businesses who provided business cards that filled the back side of the garage sale map.  Only a couple of the 31 businesses represented were what I call main-street businesses.  Their next project is to publish a local business directory.
Tri-C Trails Team presented an update on their research phase of part 1 of a walking/biking trail connecting all three communities with the school.  They have an engineer doing pro bono work to help them on their project.  Fr. Joel had a tentative map to share.
RAT-Resource Action Team reported they have established their mission statement--- Provide contacts for resources that directly benefit the Tri-C community.  They have a couple of tentative dates for hosting the Northwest Enterprise Fascination Project to provide information to those just beginning a business, those thinking of starting a business or those wanting to improve their business.
Community Center Team is lacking a co convener therefore providing a roadblock for their progress.  The steering committee recommended that action team be put on hold.
Business Action Team is not sure that the goal that resulted from the community conversations and surveys is something that they can accomplish in this economy.  The steering committee invited two new individuals that they felt might add to the resources for that action team.  The first 30 minutes of the October steering committee meeting was used to brain storm with those individuals.  None of us had any clear answers although there were some very good suggestions came out of that discussion.
Rick also asked each member to write a headline for either an action team or all the action teams.  Stepping Up for Safety: Walking Trail to School, Rejuvenating a Small Community in Hard Times, Success in Small Steps, Determination Results in new path to the future, CART is Rolling Through the Community, CART, Walking, Biking and Hiking were just a few.
Mary Lee Meyer has been asked to present at the PSC annual conference.
The next steering committee meeting will be held November 28^th 7:30 pm at the Conception Abbey dining hall.

Tri-C Community Garage Sale

September 10, 2011 the Tri-C Partners 4 Progress CART (Community Action Renewal Team) organized and sponsored a community garage sale.  The weather was perfect and 15 garage sales chose to add their site to the map.  The map was backed with community business information.  One business provided a coupon with their business information.
Signs for each garage sale were designed by a Conception Abbey graphic artist with the Jefferson Elementary students having the opportunity to fill in the graphic with their ideas for creating a colorful sign.  Each sign was uniquely its own.  A winning creating was selected for each grade with prizes and certificates handed out.

Tri-C Lollipop Parade 2011

Kay Sullivan and Carolyn Holtman were grand marshals of the 2011 Lollipop Parage in honor of almost 25 years of directing the Teen Beat with its activities for local teens at the Teen Beat.  The Teen Beat float provided the transportation of those volunteers who give their time and effort to keeping the Teen Beat open as much as possible.  The teens that participate in the activities have the opportunity of having a safe place to hang out, but also have the opportunity to give service to the community.  They feature a Santa's workshop, Easter egg hunt and a Haunted House to name a few.  Kids on bicycles, motorized cars, and ATVs, tractors from the local tractor club, classic cars, Abe, Kenny the clown and more make up the parade.

Lollipop Parade Photos

Tri-C Weekend September 10th & 11th

September 10th
Participate in a community wide Garage Sale.  Contact Jane Walter or Dennis Frost.

September 11th  Lollipop Parade.
Remember
Invitation to participate in the Tri-C area Lollipop parade beginning at 3:00 pm at the MFA building.  Registrations begins at 2:00 pm.

2011 Heart of America Tractor Cruise

A benefit ride for Children's Charitites in Northwest Missouri.
June 18th, 2011
Begins and ends at Northwest Missouri State University.
Featured tractor: Oliver
Registration Fee of $35.00.  Friday evening served by Gentry County Cattleman's Assoc.
Saturday breakfast  served by Maryville Pride of Lions
Barbeque after the Criise served by Dickie Henry and Crew--free to cruisers
All meals are available on the ground and opent to the public for a free will donation
Raffle tickets for an Oliver pedal tractor and wagon.
Auction of donated items after the meal.

Tri-C Cleanup

May 7, 2011
Community Action Renewal Team (CART) held a community wide cleanup with the help of community sponsors.  Cleanup ran from 8:00 pm to 4:00 pm.  They originally had one dumpster at Clyde and one at Conception Jct.  By mid day the dumpster at Conception Jct. was full.  The group called for a second, larger dumpster and by 4:00 pm that too was full. Sponsors included:  Tri-C area Community Betterment, Clyde Convent, Conception Abbey, The Village of Clyde and the City of Conception Jct. and Tri-C Partners 4 Progress.  Jefferson C-123 FFA members, boy scouts, Teen Beat members were only a few of the youth that helped community member clean up.
Job Well Done!