Engaging Rural Communities in Difficult Discussions Jennifer Kuoppala (Basic Needs Case Manager – AEOA) Heather Lindula (Housing Advocate – Legal Aid Service of NE MN)

Who we are – our experience Jennifer Kuoppala – AEOA Heather Lindula – Legal Aid Service of NE MN

Where to start??? Identify issues: What are the barriers to stability in your community? What do you want to focus on? Word on the street is that ___________ is causing the problems. Brainstorm a small group of people willing to take the initiative to begin change.

Plan the Kickoff Hold a large meeting: invite the community bring in speakers provide food leave time to socialize give the opportunity to sign up. Have knowledgeable speakers that will present on what is the study circle.

Recruit and Train Facilitators Find people good at facilitating groups. Criteria: Good listener Neutral Able to keep opinion to themselves Able to redirect people respectfully

Sites Find locations – easiest if there are existing groups, existing locations where people congregate: School Library Church Community center Local business In a pinch: someone’s home

Recruit community Develop a system map of your community, recruit, recruit, recruit! PERSONAL REQUESTS ARE BEST!!! Existing groups:

Examples Book club Snowmobile club Bicycle club Pilates class Catholic Daughters Sons of Norway Lions Elks Masons Red Hatters Weight Watchers 4-H Girl / Boy Scouts Ministerial Association Chamber of Commerce Morning coffee crew at the restaurant Retirees group Book club Snowmobile club Bicycle club Pilates class Painting class Student council PTSO Police department Fire department

Advertise Flyers Newspaper Door to door Challenge 10 people to each find 10 people Local newsletters – such as churches, groups Church bulletins City council / township board meetings PERSONAL INVITATIONS WORK BEST

Complete the study circles Meet each other Create a vision Study the problem Find solutions Plan for action Alter it to make sense for you community, your issue, your discussion, your solution and your action!

ACTION FORUM Bring all the different focus groups together – invite broad community! PROVIDE FOOD!!  Each study circle shares their action item Encourage community members to sign up to work on the action item they feel most passionate about Give time for the community to connect with each other Keep it energized, keep it motivating!!!

Provide support Provide support to the facilitators along the way! Have each action team elect a captain – they help to facilitate meetings of action steps. Keep them feeling included and not alone Hold regular meetings of the captains! Give a lot of updates – City council / township board meetings Updates at the various community groups, etc.

Celebrate Success Celebrate small success – do NOT wait for big change! Publish it, have a party! Give credit where credit is due!!! Thank and celebrate the volunteers!

Thank you for attending Jennifer Kuoppala – Homeless and Basic Needs Case Manager AEOA 210 Third Street North Virginia, MN 55792 jennifer.kuoppala@aeoa.org 218-741-2063 Heather Lindula – Housing Advocate / Paralegal Legal Aid Service of NE MN 820 North 9th Street, Suite 200 hlindula@lasnem.org 218-735-6003