Community Vitality Update
February-March 2005 Issue No. 16

This newsletter provides community leaders, economic developers, entrepreneurs, and other Iowans interested in community vitality with features on innovative strategies, updates on CVC projects, and info about opportunities for learning and networking.

Community Philanthropy Academy set for April 22 in Ames

Registration is now open for the second annual statewide Academy on Community Philanthropy. The theme for this year’s program is “Creating Effective Community Philanthropy Networks” and is scheduled for 9AM to 4PM on April 22 at the Gateway Hotel in Ames. The conference brochure and registration form can be found here. The Academy is a collaborative effort organized by the Community Vitality Center and collaborators include Iowa State University Extension, the Iowa Council on Foundations, Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center, and the Iowa Department of Economic Development.

There will be legislative updates and status reports as well as concurrent workshops that include topics on core practices designed to assist new board members of community foundations and affiliates as they begin to conduct the activities across the state during the coming year. Among the topics are: organizing grant programs; identifying countywide priorities and needs; creating collaboration among foundations and nonprofits; best practice templates, web sites and marketing philanthropy; building endowments; communication with local and external donors; effective board member practices; and rural community competitiveness.

Early bird registration is $45 by April 11 or $35 per person if three or more people are registering from the same group. Registration April 12 and after is $55. For more information contact: cvc@iastate.edu.

CVC Announces Youth Marketplace Incentives for Second Year

Applications are now being taken for 2005-2006 Youth Marketplace Program Community Sponsorship Incentive for programs to be implemented during the fall of 2005, and spring or summer 2006. Ten Community Scholarships of $1000 each will be awarded to local sponsoring organizations interested in helping to implementing the ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship Youth Marketplace program.

Last year the CVC provided similar incentives to 12 community/county organizations that started programs in Algona, Bedford, Boone, Central City, Cresco, Decorah, Fontanelle, Greenfield, Oskaloosa, Moravia, Mount Ayr, and Waukon. In Central City, 40 eighth-grade students benefited by the involvement of local entrepreneurs and community leaders in this innovative school activity. One student said, “I learned that starting a business isn’t just putting up a sign and making money. You have to do research on your product or service to see who will buy your labor or product.” Another student said, “The best thing I liked about Youth Marketplace was getting to see your items sell, because you could see how much profit you were bringing in,” said another student.

Last year local sponsors included public and private schools, development corporations, extension, rural electric cooperatives, RC&D Districts. Teachers and coordinators need no prior knowledge of teaching entrepreneurship to run a successful program. The youth learn the basics of entrepreneurship, business plans, financing, and marketing/selling during 20 to 25 hours of curriculum instruction and discussion. Youth learn by actually starting and running a business in the best way possible through real life experience! They work in groups to develop business plans and actually request startup business loans, produce and sell their goods or services, and figure the profit or loss when they have completed the curriculum. The program climaxes with a school/community marketplace event in which the young entrepreneurs sell their products and services to other youth, parents and community participants.

For more information visit the ISU PJCE website or the CVC website for more info and an application. Applications must be submitted electronically. Interest in the program must be expressed to cvc@iastate.edu by March 30, 2005.

CVC Co-sponsors Community Collaboration Workshop in NW Iowa

A Community Collaboration and Growth Workshop is scheduled for 9AM to 3PM on March 4th at the Le Mars Convention Center. The program topics include community vitality indicators, local economic trends, manufacturing in Iowa, value-added industries, and the role community foundations, and “Picking your own Destiny.” The program is being organized by ISU Extension of Plymouth County, Plymouth County Economic Development, and Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative, CVC is also co-sponsoring the event. For more Information contact: xplymouth@iastate.edu.

SW Iowa Unveils Iowa Sales Network Showrooms

The Southwest Iowa Coalition has come up with unique way to utilize empty storefronts and to market the products of local artisans and crafts. Window shoppers can see examples and find web site information about the Iowa Sales Network. This project is the result of a CVC Community Entrepreneurship Development demonstration grant to the Southwest Iowa Coalition. Recently the project unveiled several showroom windows that are a part of the network project in Red Oak, Clarinda, Mount Ayr, Lenox, Creston, Corning, Winterset, Carroll, Griswold, and Greenfield. An Internet web page for product viewing, description, and ordering can be found here.

A regional media blitz is planned to create walk-by traffic and awareness. Brochures will also be distributed to local chambers and in other locations as well as considering local cable advertising. For more information contact: fantasia@mchsi.com.