Culbertson, MT

Part II – How To Build A Local Community Foundation

Cathy Cooney, program director for the Montana Community Foundation, gave a free webinar on Thursday, on “Building a Community Foundation – Part II.”

This webinar covered the following topics: How does a community foundation raise money? Building endowments vs. project funding. How to give away grant money? Leadership roles for the local community foundation.

The city of Culbertson is in the process of establishing a community foundation. If you want to become involved with the Culbertson Community Foundation or have Internet access and want to log-in to view the webinar, contact the city office at 787-5371 for the web address, toll-free number and access code.

When you look at the survey results from the Horizons community survey completed December 2007, the 113 people overwhelming feel that Culbertson is home where people help each other. Culbertson’s strengths are its people, community pride, caring support and safety. They are proud of their school and medical services. What they would change is more housing and buy local - especially sandwiched between Williston and Sidney drawing local dollars. They would like to improve medical services adding a Dr. and dentist. The top 3 quality of life issues were affordable housing and liveable wage jobs with 66 & 63 votes and healthcare at 45. Over 1/3 were willing or very willing to volunteer. One project to reduce poverty included helping with the food bank such as fundraisers or a walkin freezer. A contest to find the Best New Business Idea for Culbertson might stimulate people to expand. The top votes from issues raised during Study Circles were 1. Lack of family housing, 2. Community recreation center for youth & adults 3. small business incubator program and internet website for marketing local products, 4. Financial education for youth, 5. Community Assets brochure tie 5. Buy local 6. Reestablish American Legion Park 7. Electronic marquee. There’s no shortage of ideas by those who call Culbertson home on how to make it even better.

Pator Rich Ramsbacher has been a very valuable participant along with his wife Kay and daughter Katie and Chole Butler in the Horizon Program. Here is what they have to say about the knowledge they have gained from the Horizon Program.

“I have seen my daughter stepping up and taking a leading role in our community - as a parent it is encouraging to have other adults tell you that your child is taking a role as a leader in other activities.
Leadership:
In what ways has your community’s knowledge about leadership changed? How do you know?
I think our community’s perception of what qualities make a leader has changed. I see people who don’t have the “stereotypical” qualities of a leader – education and prior experience – being accepted as leaders. Kay Ramsbacher
I have seen my daughter stepping up and taking a leading role in our community – as a parent it is encouraging to have other adults tell you that your child is stepping up and taking a role as a leader in other activities. Rich Ramsbacher
I see the youth are participating more in youth activities and they are having more interaction with the adult leaders. I also see that they are making their needs and wants known and have started to act on them by taking an active role in fund raising and volunteer activities. Chole Butler

What changes are you seeing in the way community leadership is exercised or carried out? How is it different?
I see existing leaders coming along side, encouraging and mentoring individuals who are willing but uncertain about their skills. Kay Ramsbacher
As a pastor I has been exciting to see the youth and the adults in my congregation who have participated in Leadership Plenty® program working together to expand the current youth activity to include reaching out to those in spiritual poverty. They have identified those in need and are design strategy to reach them. Pastor Rich Ramsbacher
I see the older youth and adults from Bethel Community Church who participated in the LeadershipPlenty® programs planning to expand their current youth group/outreach to include all youth in the local churches and surrounding communities. During one of their recent youth group meetings They planned to broaden their current youth study lessons and have at least three major youth community events; i.e. Band in the park, fishing day, Overnight camp and youth interactive activities at the local County Fair in August. This is a more expanded effort on the part of the youth group leaders and the adults like myself who assist them. Chole Butler

What changes have been made in who is now involved in leadership positions?
Although, our ministerial association still oversees the food bank, they have realized that the leadership of the food bank does not have to be in their hands alone. They’ve seen that there are many caring and concerned individuals that are willing to take on the management of the food bank, even as volunteers. Kay Ramsbacher
The youth are taking charge of events and programs, with adult supervision, and enacting their plans to reach those who they have identified as in need. Pastor Rich Ramsbacher
As one of the youth group assistants I see more of the youth participating in all the events and programs. It is one of the youths goals to work with three different age groups i.e. High School, Middle School (6-7-8) and Elementary (1-5). We plan to expand on their current lessons and also the three major youth community events they are in the process of planning. Chole Butler
Are different kinds of people (representing more sectors or parts of the community) now participating in community leadership?
Yes, I see older, retired or widowed, lower income individuals in leadership positions. I’ve also seen youth who are concerned about a problem or issue, feel like they can make a difference by what they do. Kay Ramsbacher
It is really nice to see the youth and adults in our community from different congregations to come together in a common front to address the needs of the people in our area. Pastor Rich Ramsbacher
As a youth group assistant we are involving all youth, parents and adult leaders from all the local churches and area communities. Some of the adult leaders like myself don’t have children at home, but have been supportive through grant writing and assistance with activities. Chole Butler
What changes have been made in the way your community recruits and trains new leaders?
Because of the LeadershipPlenty® programs, I think the eyes of the existing community leadership were opened to the fact that there are many talented and willing people in our community. We don’t always have to look to the outside, because we have qualified people right in our community! Kay Ramsbacher
The existing leaders are working with the youth’s parents and other interested adults. They are being trained by the hands on learn by doing method. The new leaders are being shown that they are needed in areas that excite them and that they have a interest in. We have gotten away from the warm body syndrome. Rich Ramsbacher

In what ways is your community more aware of its strengths or assets?
Because of the LeadershipPlenty® programs, we’ve identified and listed what we consider a strength or asset. Just doing this makes us more aware of what we have available in our community. Kay Ramsbacher
It has really been encouraging for me as a father to see my daughter expressing her opinion and see the adults and other young people listening with respect. She also has come to realize that everyone’s opinion is important in realizing a positive project. Rich Ramsbacher
By participating in the LeadershipPlenty® programs both youth and adults like myself have come to respect and listen to each others opinions, etc. I believe both groups have realized that they have something to offer each other and share to get things accomplished. Chole Butler

In what ways is your community operating or working differently?
I see the beginnings of a new united community. Not only are individuals working together better, but groups within the community are willing to work together, sharing experience and knowledge. Kay Ramsbacher
The community is showing a new united front to address needs and promoting the strengths. People have seen that it is important for al of us to work together. Pastor Rich Ramsbacher
I believe the community people have pulled together to increase the youth activities among all the different churches in town and in the surrounding communities. I also believe it is important to make sure the youth of the communities know that they and their parents are welcome and encouraged to attend any planned youth events. Chole Butler
How is low income involved?
Individuals who have needed the services of our food bank in the past are now stepping up, volunteering at the food bank and even taking on some of the managerial duties. Kay Ramsbacher
The local youth groups have participants from all different income levels. If someone doesn’t have enough money for a certain event, a scholarship or sponsorship is provided. The lack of money is not a reason that youth won’t attend an activity or event. It has been a good lesson for the adults to see the youth not let social standing interfere with working and playing together. Pastor Rich Ramsbacher

One of the items that was discussed during the Study Circles and Leadership Plenty was to get the local food bank was a computer. The food bank will be able to join a network through the internet for food items for the food bank. Pictured here is Pastor Alvin Beyer, with the Ministeral Association. We are currently waiting for a new building to be finished that our food bank will move into. The current location is in the basement of the county building which is not handicap accessable. Therefore it limits some clients from using this food bank.