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.

Citizens Of Greater Springdale (COGS)

COGS held their regular monthly meeting on January 13, 2009, 7pm, at the Depot Community Center with 9 people present.
Terry Waters, treasurer, gave a comprehensive profile of our financial report for 2008. Records have been organized, updated and a budget projected for 2009. The federal non-profit 501C3 status is still pending.
The clothing exchange held in the back room of Lanita’s Laundromat has closed. Although it was only open one afternoon a week, the community response was encouraging with numerous donations of good useable clothes. Currently no alternative location has been found.
The Santa’s Shop craft fair was only open one weekend this past December due to the snow. There are still beautiful hand-bound cookbooks made by the Senior Citizens. They are available for $5 by calling Raqeebah at 509-258-9031.
Cleo Miller and Susan Lattin attended a public relation training seminar, courtesy of the Horizon Program. Cleo will now be updating the Springdale blog.
Sue Cox and Raqeebah Amat-Allah will be attending a Farmer’s Market seminar in Puyallup on Jan. 30-31.
We addressed the future and current functions of the Depot:
1. Rental of the building for reunions, birthday parties, etc.
2. Movie night every Saturday
3. Farmer’s Market every weekend in season and once a month through off season
4. Exercise classes with yoga, tai chi, belly-dancing, etc.
5. Saturday matinee for children possibly conducted by Maggie Farmer
6. Committed to Critters meeting will be held once a month, first meeting is 11:30am on Feb. 22
7. The Obama inaugural bash at 4pm on Jan. 20
After discussing the functions, it became apparent that a part-time coordinator is needed. All agreed that this would be very beneficial. A proposal will be developed, and presented at the next meeting.
Other business was to purchase rope lights for the interior steps and rope lights for the exterior of the building. A sign for the Depot Community Center is needed.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:15 with the next meeting on Feb. 10.

C.O.G.S. : a report
Items of Progress:
1. The most dramatic change for Springdale has been the opening of our new community Depot. One of our members, Sue Cox, took the extraordinary step of buying the facility which we now use for our meetings, luncheons, craft bazaar, receptions, birthday parties, election returns, broadband hot sport, farmer's market, food bank, dinner and a movie night, card and games night, bingo and drawing classes.
More activities are in the development stage. The census bureau will be testing and recruiting, using the facility in later December. The result will be between 5 and 10 people being employed. Yea!!!!!
Our Depot is a place for people to meet, visit, share ideas, tools, manpower,give and take, and help each other actually be community, not just a nod and hello as we bump into each other at the post office or store, now we're really neighbors, friends, cohorts, engaged, encouraged, inspired and connected.
P.S. Other horizon communities: We meet others at the Post Falls meeting and enjoyed hearing/seeing what the other communities have been doing. We challenged Colville to a zucchini competition later int he year and eagerly accepted.
2. activities community clean-up
3. Clothing pool we have been located at Lanita's laundromat but now they nee the space for other projects The hunt is on for another location.
4. We have had a number of activities involving the Depot and the local public school---Thanks giving and Valentine cards, seniors visiting history and home economics classes.
W.S.U. design students took our Depot as a senior project. Plans were developed for possible expansion and remodeling. Three meeting were held with community at large, 1. providing input and wish lists, 2. mid term presentation, 3. Final at the Depot and the community at large shown the final plan.
5. Seniors cook book-locally producted by a home-school class and now available for $5.00.
Contributions to the above: The Horizions Program is indisputably the initial impetus for all of the above. It brought us to gather( yes, the free lunch helped), organized us, motivated us, and we are sailing on ward.

Describe accomplishment: Poverty reduction is difficult, but our Seniors have a wonderful, lavish, was and Delicious meal to look forward to every Wednesday. free of charge and trans portion is provided.

Significant challenges-local jobs are scarce for both heads of families as well as teenagers. Public transportation is non-existent.

Activities: In addition to our community center activities, we have established our non-profit status with the state, written articles of incorporation, bylaws and applied for 501c3 status.

Partnering: We have meet with Rural Resources, work source personnel and the Score Representative. Americore volunteers will be helping us with project next semester. No funding sources have been developed.

An added note: Gaining a facility for our community has been a great accomplishment. However with any structure that has not been used for a period of time, capital outlay has been problematic. Electrical, heat and air, new roof, all costly items.
But you know, when the community realized what the possibilities could be, any one that could help either in terms of volunteering time or finding affordable help or materials, stepped forward.
As a bonus, to the community, a home theatre was installed and if you ever come to Eastern Washington stop in Springdale and join us for dinner and a movie. Sue Cox

C.O.G.S. Community Center

Thanks to the Horizon program, Springdale has a community center!!!!!!! Located on Shaffer Street (the main drag in Springdale) a former restaurant and bar, the building has a commercial kitchen, cooler, handicap accessibility, 2,200 sq.feet and a back and side yard with enough space for a Farmers Market. The many months of meetings, hours of planning have been worth the time and effort. The center provides a home for the continuation of involving our citizens in further planning and implementing projects gleaned from the Horizon program.

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.