North Dakota

The Northwest Area Foundation has committed to supporting 15 new towns in North Dakota for Horizons - Phase III to begin in the fall of 2008 and conclude in the spring of 2010.  NDSU Extension will again provide support and resources for involved  communities.  A brochure and application are both provided below.  If your community is interested, please contact Lynette Flage (701-265-5200) or Lynette.Flage@ndsu.edu right away so we might set up a a brief meeting with community members to review the program and answer questions.

Community Guide - 2008-2010 Horizons

 Community Application - 2008-2010 Horizons

In every community there are unselfish people who roll up their sleeves to work at making their community a better place to live.  So many of you have done this as a part of the ND Horizons program and I  want to share the application for the ND League of Cities 2008 Hometown Hero Awards.  The deadline is September 5, 2008 and more information is available on the brochure attached.  Please consider nominating someone from your hometown!

Lynette

08-hometown-hero-awards.pdf

Just a reminder that the final date to “blog and receive incentives” is June 30, 2008.  We certainly hope that you will continue to use your blog as a tool but in order to receive the incentives, you must have everything accomplished by June 30th.    Please refer to the blog requirements sheets attached as a refresher.

Blog Incentives 

If you participate on a board (council, commission, park, school, etc). you know it is far more work than simply showing up.  Join the Horizons Program, ND Insurance Reserve Fund and ND League of Cities in a seminar designed to make your meetings more effective. 

This seminar will be held on Thursday, June 26 in Beach, ND at the LaPlaya Mexican Restaurant from 2:30 - 8 PM with supper included.  A brochure is attached for more information and an opportunity to register for a portion of the workshop.

Making Meetings Work Brochure

The North Dakota Community Foundation is sponsoring 3 more workshops on community endowment funds in the state next month.  Please consider attending these informative sessions.  They will assist your community in better understanding community endowments and how your community might set one up for their future.  These workshops are free and I encourage you to consider this great offer.

June 5th - Valle Lutheran Church in Rolette at 3:30 PM

June 20 - Steele Community Center at 9:30 am

June 20 - Bowman at 1:30 PM (Mountain Time)

We are in the final month of the “official” Horizons program in North Dakota and I am so thrilled to see all that has been done.  You should be very proud of your accomplishments and work to assist your communities in becoming a thriving place for all.

A letter was sent out to contact people in each of our 21 towns regarding a final gala celebration to be held on July 9th at the Bismarck Ramkota hotel from 11-4 pm.  This day is all about YOU and the afternoon is planned to hear your stories! I am excited and so looking forward to  seeing everyone there.

I have attached a letter with the details for this Horizons Gala on July 9th.  We have invited Governor John Hoeven to assist us in a special presentation to each community so I do hope that community members will be able to attend.  We have capped it at 10 attendees per community but you can add to the ten any elected state legislators from your region.  We really hope they can come and hear your stories as well.

The deadline to RSVP with Sandy Erickson (701-328-9718 or sandra.k.erickson@ndsu.edu) is June 30th.  We are so excited to celebrate with all of you!

Horizons Final Celebration Letter

News Release

For Immediate Release

April 7, 2008

Contact: Dana Schaar, Executive Director

701-258-9101 or 888-396-3266

ndano@btinet.net

 “Follow the Federal Dollars” Workshop Scheduled for April 23

BISMARCK – Become a more effective advocate on federal budget and policy issues by attending the “Follow the Federal Dollars” workshop on April 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Best Western Doublewood Inn in Bismarck, N.D.

Nonprofit leaders, advocates, community leaders, front-line staff and members of the public will benefit from understanding how the federal budget process works and how to participate in the process.

Steve Francisco, federal policy director for the Minnesota Budget Project, an initiative of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, will lead the workshop.

Francisco will also moderate the luncheon discussion with staff from North Dakota’s Congressional delegation about advocacy strategies at the federal level.

The workshop is presented by the North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations (NDANO) and made possible with support from the Northwest Area Foundation.

The registration fee, which includes lunch, is $10 for NDANO members and $25 for non-members. The deadline to register is April 16. Visit www.ndano.org, call 701-258-9101 or e-mail ndano@btinet.net to register or learn more.

NDANO’s mission is that its member organizations will have the resources and support to effectively fulfill their missions. NDANO serves nonprofit organizations and the North Dakota nonprofit sector in four core service areas: professional development; information and research; public policy and advocacy; and cost-saving programs.

A Rural Community Forum will be offered on Friday, June 13, 2008 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm (CDT) at the ND Heritage Center, 612 East Boulevard Ave, Bismarck, as an informal opportunity to learn from each other.  Various panels will be there to offer experience and group discussion around a number of issues including; re-use of school buildings, community operated cafes, stores, local foods, learning based vacation opportunities, and community endowment funds. 

The registration fee is $20 to cover lunch and the registration deadline is June 1.  A registration form and more information attached below.

Rural Community Flyer & Registration Form

A 2008 Issue Guide has been prepared for each of North Dakota’s 47 Legislative Districts, as well as the state, in preparation for the 2008 election year.  The two-page issue Guides present data on children’s well-being in North Dakota in the areas of population, family structure, poverty and parental employment.  Please take a look at your district’s information to become informed about the status of children in your area.

www.ndkidscount.org/issueguide.htm

This fair is designed for individuals who are seeking assistance or have questions regarding the purchase of a home or the renovation of their existing home.  Agencies scheduled to give presentations include USDA Rural Development, North Dakota Housing Finance Agency, North Central Planning Council, Dakota Prairie Community Action and local lenders/real estate agents. 

Tuesday, April 8th from 5-8 PM
Brown Memorial Auditorium in New Rockford, ND
Please contact Amy Wobbema in New Rockford with questions - 701-947-2205.