Reversing ng the he E Exodus Thr hrough h Cult ltivation n - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Reversing ng the he E Exodus Thr hrough h Cult ltivation n

LET’S TALK KANSAS There are 626 626 incorporated communities in the state of . Of those, nearly 91 91% have a population of Kans nsas. . Additionally, 75% 75% have populations of less t le tha han 5 n 5,0 ,000. 1,5 ,500 o or L LESS (with many being “volunteer-led”) and 50% 50% have populations of le less t tha han 4 n 400. The total population of Kansas is 2.9 million. {By comparison, Arizona has 91 incorporated communities with a population of 6.7 million.}

. www.K .Kans nsasSample ler.o .org

POWERUP MOVEMENT “If If y you t thi hink K nk Kans nsas is b boring ng, y , you’r ’re doing ng i it w wrong ng.” .” KE # #3,5 ,555 Kelly L lly Larson n Linc ncoln, K ln, KS

Conne nnect Enjo njoy t y the he Eng ngage Cho hoice Su Sust stain in Empo Em power er

CONNECT

ENGAGE

EMPOWER Action implies there is no longer a THEY. . Action is demonstrated through I I and WE. .

SUSTAIN Unified Greeley County Humboldt, KS

ENJOY SIX W IX WORD S D STORY Erne nest H Hemi ming ngway w y was o onc nce purportedly c ly cha halle lleng nged t to w write a a s six word s story. H . He p penne nned, “ , “For s sale le: : baby s y sho hoes, ne , never w worn.” n.” Appreciating PowerUps choice to live rural requires a shift from asking “why?” to “why not?” and supporting the story they are writing.

RURAL ACTIONS Ask a PowerUp how they would like to be involved Listen to the ideas and suggestions of PowerUps Support PowerUp entrepreneurs Personally invite a PowerUp to attend an event or meeting Consider succession planning to keep storefronts, businesses, and PowerUp opportunities vibrant Match the interests and abilities of PowerUps to needs in your community Engage PowerUps by offering age appropriate venues/programs “Like” the PowerUp Facebook page to stay up-to-date on happenings with the core group and with PowerUps from across the state. Follow and share our PowerUp Pinterest boards Connect with PowerUps through events such as the We KAN conference, Big Rural Brainstorm, and other Kansas Sampler Foundation functions Request a PowerUp program by contacting info@ruralbychoice.com Start a local PowerUp group/movement unique to your community or county. We can help!

Cha hang nging ng t the he f face o of civic e eng ngageme ment nt… One ne p positive conversation a n at a a time me. .

Model created in 2004 in response to: • Declining population, exodus of youth & loss of aspiring leaders • Growing fragmentation locally and partisanship/incivility at state & national level • Decreasing willingness by business & civic leaders to serve in public office

FOUR SECTOR ENGAGEMENT Education n Huma man S n Services Busine ness Go Governme nment nt

Link citizens & leaders Build on assets Engage Networks & Institutions Deliver sustainable results Foster ongoing development STRATEGY: Du : Due Di Dili ligenc nce → M Mobili lization n → B Build lding ng C Capacity y → N Network S k Support

BRIDGING THE DIVIDE Uni nifed Gr Greele ley y Count nty y

Wha hat i is t the he p preferred future o of y your r rural l commu mmuni nity? y? Liz S Sosa PowerUp Liaison and CEO, Public Square Communities lsosa@buildthesquare.com