In March and April, eighteen LeadershipPlenty® classes were offered in Columbus to help equip citizens for community leadership.
http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/06/26/horizons-accomplishments-leadership-classes/
Assistant Professor, Extension Community Development Specialist of Montana State University, Paul Lachapelle, was invited into Stillwater County on February 27 to share information on being an effective and confident board member. The presentation also detailed the many legal issues that surround the actions of formalized boards and their decision making processes. Approximately 96 individuals from across Stillwater County were in attendance. The information is invaluable to the boards that exist in all of our small communities and will assist the various boards in operating more effectively. Having this knowledge will also make them more attractive to members of the community as they step into leadership roles with the knowledge that these boards are well trained and empowering to their new members.
Thanks to Columbus School District, the Horizons Mentoring Committee had a tremendous response to their afterschool survey. Approximately 160 surveys were turned in at the elementary and middle schools.
Following is a summary of results:
1. 93% of the respondents indicated that an afterschool program would benefit children in the Columbus community.
2. Youths in upcoming grades 4-6 seemed to have the greatest number of youths who would participate in an afterschool program.
3. The highest ranked activities which respondents thought should be a part of the afterschool program included: homework/study help, reading/writing, arts & crafts, fun, playing games/fun activities, sports, learning with fun activities, exercise/physical activity, art/music/acting.
4. 47% indicated that they would need some form of transportation for their child(ren) to get to the afterschool program.
5. Many comments were also submitted with the surveys.
The Horizons Mentoring Committee wishes to thank everyone who responded to the survey. It wishes to thank Superintendent Al Sipes for his support of distributing the survey in the Columbus Schools Newsletter, and the administration from the Columbus Middle School and Columbus Elementary School as well as the teachers and office staff for their assistance in distributing the survey to the classrooms and providing places to turn in the surveys. In addition, thank you to Roxie Holden from Stageline Pizza and the Stillwater Coalition for supplying treats for the kids for doing their part by returning their surveys to the schools. Most of all, thank you to the parents; your community support is greatly appreciated.
http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/05/20/after-school-program-interest/