Stevens FORWARD! Progress to Date

Since November, 2007, the Stevens FORWARD! Stewards have led the effort toward the Stevens County destiny. We have listened and learned about the county and have thought about the future of Stevens County. We have accomplished this work in less than a year and have crafted a destiny for Stevens County.

The original Stewards that helped found Stevens FORWARD! are:
Warrenn Anderson, Sara Beyer, Brad Fehr, Greg Fynboh, Mark Gibson, Marcia Greiner, Darick Huebner Jacquie Johnson, Jean Lesmeister, Alissa Melberg, Sal Monteagudo, Hannah Newhouse, Carolyn Peterson, Marissa Ritter, Marilynn Stallman, Ray Suess, Glen Tomoson, Paul Watzke, Wayne Westerman and Ben Winchester. Jim Thoreen, Roger McCannon and Michael Haynes were also involved in the effort in professional roles.

Year of 2011:

Stevens Forward received a Blandin Foundation and SCEIC Minnesota Intelligent Communiities Program (MIRC) grant to develop a Stevens County community resource page. We are currently compiling community information to be included in the website and developing the format for this new site. This new site will directly contribute to developing a virtual community (driver 6) while also making our county more attractive to potential residents by making important information easily accessible.

Wayne Morford of the Regional Fitness Center is working with area community leaders to assess our current bike and walking trail system in the county and develop a plan for extending and maintaining our trails.

Stevens Forward Stewards had the opportunity in February to have guest speaker, Jess Luce who shared his report on Aging Communities, Boomers, and Creating Communities for a Lifetime. Some great ideas came out from this meeting and our stewards continue to work to become the finest retirement community in Western Minnesota.

Year of 2010:

Roger McCannon stepped down as Stevens Forward Coordinator in April and will continue to serve as a steward. Carolyn Peterson has been hired to serve as the new coordinator and will lead Stevens Forward into our next phase. An office location was also established and is co-located with the Morris Chamber of Commerce and SCEIC offices.

Mary Beth Kehrwald joined the Stevens Forward team in May 2010 and assists on a variety of projects including research, website development and review, and facilitating meetings.

Since August 2010 Stevens Forward has increased communication with Greencorps at UMM to further collaborate and share resources working towards Driver 8, county carbon neutrality by 2012.

The community fund has been moving forward with monthly planning meetings and has conducted a feasibility study. Plans are to begin the fundraising campaign in early 2011.

The downtown revitalization committee developed a survey to assess our current commercial and retail sales assets and needs. This survey was distributed during the Stevens County Fair in August and continues to be available for those wishing to complete the survey. Please contact StevensForward@fedtel.net to request a copy.

Don Reicosky joined Stevens Forward as a champion for driver 8 and has been actively working with UMM to develop educational materials for a "Carbon College." Deon Haider and Melissa Kloeck are UMM students participating in the Students in Service Americorps program. They are working on driver number 8 with guidance from Don Reicosky to further our efforts in calculating Stevens County's carbon footprint and develop educational tools to help provide information to the community about the importance of carbon and steps we can take to reduce our footprints.

The SCEIC received a $100,000 grant from the Blandin Foundation in October 2010 to increase broadband access in the county. This grant will assist the county in enhancing social inclusion while moving forward on driver 6 (creating a virtual community).

A meeting was held in October with Stevens Forward and several large employers from the area to discuss employment issues and strategies to improve communication between human resources representatives to provide additional support to potential employees.

Stewards Ann Streed and Sal Monteagudo have been working with the Human Rights Commission, UMM, and Morris Community Education to further develop an inclusive environment in our county. UMM Community Engagement is working to offer more opportunities for international students to get involved with the community. If you are interested in participating in this cultural exchange opportunity, visit the international student events' page (http://www.morris.umn.edu/internationalstudents/events/).

UMM Community Engagement coordinator Argie Manolis is the 2010 recipient of the Morris Human Rights Award. Her work in advocacy, training, coordination, and community work are a great asset to promoting social inclusion and collaboration in the county.

January, 2010: Eight new Stewards joined Stevens FORWARD!
(See List of Stewards)

November, 2009: On November 20, 2009 the Otto Bremer Foundation announced a grant award to Stevens FORWARD! of $60,000.

October 2008: A public announcement and reception was held on October 14th to announce our Destiny Statement and Destiny Drivers. The next phase of our process is to determine local champions for each of the 14 Destiny Drivers, and to meet with local sponsors.

July to October 2008: Met in July to finalize destiny statement and develop destiny drivers. Continued work on drivers throughout July and August. Meeting in September to finalize destiny and prioritize drivers. Set a target date of October 14 to complete the first phase of work and to roll out our destiny and drivers to the public. Part of the roll out will be presentations to county and city groups to share the Destiny and Drivers.

April–June 2008: Stewards met to develop Stevens FORWARD! destiny; presented information from community input, survey results, Assets and Context report. Determined the common values of Stevens County, competitive advantages, and began developing destiny statement (May meeting); Stewards met with community leaders in all communities (Mayors, county commissioners) to discuss destiny statement and gain support for drivers. In June, continued input on the destiny statement and began brainstorming destiny drivers.

Jan-Feb-Mar 2008: Reports from Understanding Assets and Context teams; Public Engagement and Create the Buzz teams created name for the group (Stevens FORWARD!), web site, information brochure, frequently asked questions, and multiple input sessions (county, city and civic groups presentations as well as businesses). Developed perception survey and began distribution. Survey published in area papers (or at least link to survey); Additional distribution occurred through stewards attending meetings of various groups and asking for input. (Examples of meetings: Township Officers, Alberta Area Improvement Corporation, Stevens County Pork Producers, etc.)

Nov-Dec 2007: Invited stewards to the initial Steward Academy training included an overview of process, team building and action plan. Confirmed Roger McCannon as coordinator and selected fiscal agent (SCEIC) as well as continued fund raising for resource funds for projects yet to be identified. Determined action teams, charges and timelines; Action teams meet (Public Input/Engagement; Context; Assets, Creating Buzz).