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

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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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!

11. 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!!!

12. 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.

13. 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!

14. Thank you for attending
Jennifer Kuoppala – Homeless and Basic Needs Case Manager
AEOA
210 Third Street North
Virginia, MN
Heather Lindula – Housing Advocate / Paralegal
Legal Aid Service of NE MN
820 North 9th Street, Suite 200