C.O.G.S.

We are functioning, even though we have lost our part time coordinator to a full time job in Spokane. hurray, for Janet! She is a single parent and our purpose is to help support our fellow citizens in finding , getting jobs and keeping them. Springdale in 40 miles from Spokane which requires dependable transportation, gas money and insurance. We live close to the bone in this community which requires a united effort to keep our citizens from sinking in this environment.
We lend our cars to those who have none, donate time and money if we have some extra, to keep people afloat. We are thankful for Horizon training, study groups and our community couches. We have forged new relationships/friendships with our community. Creating a network for economic progress and creating new leadership opportunities. C.O.G.S.is struggling to become economically independent. We are still able to pay our utility bills but unable to fund a coordinator. Americorp and Vista require money up front and our fund raising attempts have not been that lucrative. Currently we are dealing with bureaucratic requirements: i.e. health department for fund raising events which include food, liquor board, fire marshal, building inspectors, the town hall, all which usurps energy, time and money from our intended goals. Perhaps it is all a plot to keep us away from each other. Probably not but the whole thing is depressing. The solution, we have been told, is to form a membership organization, do not advertise and don't invite the public. How can we forge a bond with new people if we become selective? Does this sound like a rant , maybe it is. We have so many positive enterprises, projects and people that there is a enthusiasm in the air, it just seems we need to lean on each other more than before and things will work out. Sunday market will begin this week, The birding event was great fun, the senior lunch is thriving, dinner and a movie is popular and planing for the coming fall and winter events are in the works. Also, we are involving our neighbor to the north, Valley, to join us in our endeavors. I hope you guys have not given up on us, we are very appreciative of your help.

Springdale Strategic Plan

Each Community's journey through the Horizons Program focused on Community Leadership to Reduce Poverty. To view your Community's Stratecic Plan, visit Horizons II Community Information page. Once there, click on your community's link and then on the link for a copy of the Community Strategic Plan.

C.O.G.S. is an now an official organization

The Springdale Horizon group has a name, a location and official status!!! State non-profit status was granted in June, EIN number confirmed and 501c3 is in the final polishing stage. The center has been remodeled, cleaned, decked out with new paint, furnished with tables, chairs, kitchen appliances and enough dinnerware to serve a whole gob of hungry people. Thanks to those who have spent many hours and days making all of this happen.
To date we have had two senior socials (lunch and games) best food in town by the way, two weekend farmer's markets, three organizational meetings, 2 dish washer deaths, 1 walk in cooler shut down, 2 malfunctioning toilets and a front door lock that seemed to like certain people and hate others.
On July 17, a meeting was held in Colville with Scott Douglas, the Score adviser for The Tri-County economic Development Council. He will be helping C.O.G.S. in the development of a business plan, providing information on non-profit /profit organization and marketing strategy. Dana McDowell of Rural Resourses Community Action inform the group of programs which included employment, training, home purchasing and other assistance. The informational brochures for the several programs will be available at the C.O.G.S Center.

Special Focus - Synergy of Springdale (SOS)

Evolving out of the Horizons Circles, SOS tackled Springdale's basic needs. First on their list was creating activities for senior citizens living in the greater Springdale area. Their solution is the Senior Social event held weekly at the Community Church on Wednesday at noon. This popular event started in late summer with two participants. Today, over 25 honored guests enjoy a variety of hot lunches, companionship, bingo, and movies. Below is a slideshow honoring the volunteers and their successful work making Synergy of Springdale a progessive Horizons team project.

The New COGS

Springdale Horizons Steering Committee Meeting

Mar. 11, 2008 at 7pm Mary Walker School Library

A ‘WANTED’ (ALIVE) post was distributed on flyers and posted on the blogspot to inform people of the upcoming meeting. There were 10 ALIVE members attending the meeting including: Claudia King, Colleen & Jerry Dodge, Lela Taylor, Margie Wood, Mike Pammler, Raqeebah Amatallah, Sue Cox, Terry Waters, and Janet Jensen.

Interim Board is as follows:
Chairperson- Sue Cox
Co-chair- Susan Lattin
Secretary- Janet Jensen & Raqeebah Amatallah
Treasurer- Terry Waters
Blog/Reporter- Mike Easterly, Jerry Dodge, & Janet Jensen
Board Members- Margie Wood, Lela Taylor, Claudia King, & Donna Steig
Advisory- Mike Pammler & Sonny Clemmer
Authorized to sign checks- Mike Pammler, Lela Taylor, Terry Waters, & Claudia King

Ideas for our group name was discussed and voted upon:
Citizens Of A Greater Springdale (COGS)
The name above is the main 'tree' and our branches are:
Synergy of Springdale (SOS)
Economic Development
Radio Station
Habitat for Humanity
Community Center

Alternative Energy
If there are other branches growing on us, please let me know.

It was discussed that the 501C3, mission statement, bylaws, etc. are in the beginning stages. Lela provided the information to obtain an EIN number from IRS for a nonprofit status. Anyone is welcome with input for getting the grants.

There is $4,000 to be spent by June 2008 from the Horizon Project for education. Upcoming:
March 19- Leslie Jones- WSU ext. Colville- 5:30-8pm micro lending
March 20- Cathy McMorris Rogers- Spokane- 8:30-12pm grant writing
March 22- WSU ext. Colville-computer class #1 (Hunters is paying, space limited)
April 12 & 13- Green Fest.- Convention Center- Seattle- 10-8pm going green
April 17- Michael Shuman- WSU ext. Colville- -going local
April 18 & 19- Susan Howlett- WSU ext. Colville- 8:30-4pm grant writing
April 26- WSU ext. Colville-computer class #2 (Hunters is paying, space limited)
May 10- WSU ext. Colville-computer class #3 (Hunters is paying, space limited)
To be announced:
Patrick Malone- grant writing
Writing a business plan

Youth group of about 20 students will be doing tasks for the community. Mike Pammler will have details.
Meeting closed just before 9 pm. The next meeting will be held at the Mary Walker School Library on April 8, 2008 at 7 pm.