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.

Updates

Upcoming Meetings/Education 2008

April 2- SOS (Senior Social) Pot Luck at the Springdale Community Church- noon
April 16 & 23- no Senior Social
April 4- Sus. Comm. Video- WSU ext. Colville- 10-11am, can be viewed on the web
April 8- Steering Comm.- HS Library- Springdale- 7-9pm
April 12 & 13- Green Fest.- Convention Center- Seattle- 10-8pm going green
April 17- Michael Shuman- Ag & Trade Building- Colville-9:30-4pm-going local, eco. dev.
April 18 & 19- Susan Howlett- WSU ext. Colville- 8:30-4pm grant writing
April 22- Pioneer Center, White Salmon- 9:30-4pm Building Skills for Prosperity
April 26- WSU ext. Colville-10-2pm computer class #2 (Hunters is paying, space limited)
May 3 & 4- Living Lightly Institute, Goldendale- 10am- Renewable Energy & Organic Gardening
May 10- WSU ext. Colville-10-2pm computer class #3 (Hunters is paying, space limited)

To be announced:
Patrick Malone- grant writing
Writing a business plan

What is Horizons?

What Is Horizons?


You ask, and why should my opinion be important? Well guess what, we all belong to a community. Communities are only as strong as the people who inhabit them. If our people are in need of help, due to economic down turns, health problems, social isolation, lack of appropriate shelter, education, etc. we, as a community, have within us the power to change these situations.

Horizons is a program whose goals are to give communities like ours, the tools to develop leadership, improve the local economy, and reduce poverty. Now you can’t beat that!

Horizons is not a government program, not a hand out or a top down program. Horizons is a grass roots endeavor to create prosperity in small rural areas like ours. Horizons was founded by The Northwest Foundation, associated with The Pew Endowment for social change, and W.S.U. Extension, Colville, as the local sponsor.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever does.” Margaret Mead

Our democracy is only as strong as our middle class.

S.O.S

SPRINGDALE S.O.S PROGRESS (Synergy of Springdale)
“Generations Coming Together”

After the chilling and relentless snows of January, forcing the cancellation of several of our Senior Socials, the S.O.S. Socials have resumed with a passion and are on an upstream leap toward spring.
On February 13th, Darcy Zollman’s 6th Grade Class provided radiant handmade Valentines for our Seniors. On February 20th, Miss Walker’s Mary Walker High School Home-Economics Class made, delivered and served, “from scratch” colorful veggie trays and deliciously-decadent desserts. On both occasions, the delightfully appreciative Seniors smiles, (as they realized they were being treated by their “Juniors”) were heartwarming and wonderfully exuberant for all.
In turn, several of our Seniors plan to be visiting Kyle Dodge’s High School History Class this spring to give first-hand accounts of surviving the major crises of the 20th Century.
S.O.S. (Synergy of Springdale), otherwise known as The Basic Needs Committee, sends thanks to all who have contributed and continue to help us grow. Having begun under the Horizon umbrella, S.O.S. is committed to meeting the basic needs of our community. As a reminder, our socials are held every Wednesday at The Springdale Community Church. Lunch (of which one ‘regular’ patron states is “the best food in town”) is served at 12:00-1:00 p.m. (if the food lasts that long!) with Bingo and prizes following. If you have any questions or want to join or donate to a willing team, please call Terry at 258-9190 or Margie at 258-4003.

Economic Development

Economic Development

Dec. 3, 2007 at high school

Mike Pammler, Claudia King, Cleo Miller, Mike Easterly, Tim Goad, Lois McKinney

To examine resources and opportunity within our community; discuss and develop strategies to reveal this potential; design a response to emerging interest which results in new business/employment…

We needed to create a group consensus of our (community) condition and introduce favorite projects. The original topic was to find a way to capitalize on the (statewide) burning ban which will create a wealth of wood waste… Discussion followed, including known business models for forest waste reclamation, nature of local lumber yard philosophy, sustainability and insurance. Additional topics introduced as follows:

Feed and tack store
Swimming spa
Hunting/Fishing/Tourism
Managed Care/Training Facility
Small Engine Repair/Training Business
Farmers Market
Adult campus for extended (internet) learning
Attracting a call center type operation

All agreed that market projections, business plans and motivated investors/capital are the key building blocks and that meeting with a consultant might help focus the “do-able” list.

All agreed that this committee effort should be reflected in the functions of the Chamber of Commerce…

We are adjourned for the holidays.