Columbus, MT

In January, representatives of different organizations and groups from Columbus came together, along with many other communities, to a Community Conference held in Billings. The focus of the conference was to discuss how to better small communities, and to sustain them once they became successful.

Among the speakers was Dr. John Allen, who spoke about finding the positives within your own community and utilizing them. It is important to not get obsessed with the negatives, but to focus on the assets that you home already has, and improve upon them.

Other speakers had messages of making sure everyone in the community was able to have a part in what was going on. Communication is vital in programs like Horizons.

Breakout sessions included discussions about nurturing the entrepreuners within your own community, working with diverse cultures, and thriving in rural communities, among others. Even smaller groups were able to discuss specific topics, including housing issues, youth success, child care services, adding value to local assets, health care, and many more.

One of the speakers that had a message that hit closest to home was Jennifer Anderson of Forsyth. Through the Horizons Project, Forsyth has moved from focusing on the negatives to working together and using their assets. They have come up with creative ideas such as a fishing derby in order to generate communty involvement. They are an example of a town that is making the Horizons Project work for them.

http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/02/14/rural-community-conference/