Morris Theatre Coop Assistant
Calla Bjorklund, UMM student
David Fluegel, CST Staff
Calla will work with the Morris Theatre Cooperative to develop a manual that will cover historical aspects, steps to running the theatre, and inventory control. Activities include observing and participating in procedures to develop a written manual for the volunteer tasks and attending meetings of the board of directors to report on progress and to understand the board's role in the cooperative. Other opportunities include designing an inventory system and developing record keeping systems for volunteers and members.
Student Administrative Assistant
Kate Grabosky, UMM student
Jes Beyer, CST Staff
This is an on-going position within the Center in which a UMM student is hired to learn and assist the administrative functions of this community outreach program. Kate's responsibilities include assisting with all aspects of the Student Involvement component, including the recruitment, placement and evaluation of student employees and volunteers. Other duties include participation and recording of weekly staff meetings, assisting with special projects like the Annual Symposium on Small Towns, and working on publicity, press releases, document design and visibility efforts.
Senior Center Publicity Assistant
Mandy Granaas, UMM student
Jes Beyer, CST Staff
The senior center is underutilized and its potential undervalued. Amanda will work to change misconceptions of the senior center and promote the center within the community by increasing visibility and strengthening its effectiveness. Activities include creating publicity materials, preparing resources for seniors, outreaching to new residents and retirees, researching transportation options. She will focus on cultivating relationships with media, organizations, and the community
Ortonville Granary Coop Local Foods Assistant
Donnie Hicks, UMM student
David Fluegel, CST Staff
Ortonville Granary Food Coop provides access to organic and whole foods. Donnie will be working with the Granary to build their capacity in marketing, build a connection with regional resources, connect the Ortonville Farmers Market and the Buy Fresh, Buy Local campaign to the coop, and make further connections with local food producers within the area. Donnie will be working with the organizations in Ortonville and finding out which resources are available to support small cooperatives. He will be creating communication within the community by creating press releases, brochures, display items, and gift certificate designs.
U of MN Extension Data Analysis Assistant
Brett Hucka, UMM student
Amanda Olson, UMM Student
Ben Winchester and Michael Peterson, CST Staff
The University of Minnesota Extension provides a number of valuable services to small towns across the state. A number of surveys are collected to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of the various programs. CST students provide data entry, analysis and reporting of results. Extension program areas include leadership development, facilitation, tourism, economic development and social capital.
Local Foods Research Assistant
Prash Naidu, UMM student
Ben Winchester, CST Staff
Prash will work with Kandiyohi County Foods System to ensure residents of Kandiyohi County have access to healthy, nutritious food at all times. Activities include doing surveys, data gathering, and interviewing organizations and food related businesses serving the county. This data will help identify real issues with the current food system of Kandiyohi County.
U of MN West Central Partnership Public Relations Assistant
Sara Russell, UMM student
Jes Beyer, CST Staff
Sara will develop a series of articles that will be published in local newspapers regarding the work and stories that the WCRSDP supports. She will also assist via research and other related tasks to support the Farm to School program and coordinator.
Eco-Friendly Neighborhood Demonstration Assistant
Tara Loomis, UMM student
Rachel Olm, UMM Student
David Fluegel, CST Staff
Tara and Rachel will be redeveloping the 17-acre former school grounds as a green residential neighborhood. They will be assisting with the public education and evaluation activities of this project. Other activities include drafting brochures, flyers, feedback, and data collection forms and reports. Last, they will help finalize an evaluation plan and document progress.
Pomme de Terre Watershed Assistant
Tara Grieman, UMM student
Jes Beyer, CST Staff
The Pomme de Terre Watershed Project is a six county Joint Powers Agreement to study and try to reduce the levels of pollution in the Pomme de Terre River Watershed. Tara will work with all the counties and the USPS to get names and addresses of all watershed residents. She will be creating a database to facilitate mass mailings to affected residents. She will also be gathering different perspectives of the Pomme De Terre Watershed through interviews and also will be creating publicity materials.
Hoffman Development
Sheila Nezhad, UMM student
David Fluegel, CST Staff
The Hoffman Economic Development Authority is fast becoming a model in the region for the redevelopment of a small city downtown. There are varying programs in many stages of development. Activities of this project will support these programs and include coordinating meetings with city officials, business leaders and the general public; documentation of goals, priorities and action items; data collection; recruitment of business applications and developing leases; and publicity documents. Sheila is involved with the inner workings of a dynamic, high active program with regional/state impact. She will assist with the budgets, leases, and financial activities of these projects and she will help finalize work plan and document progress on goals. Additional activities include: drafting brochures, flyers, feedback and data collection forms, and creating reports.
Stevens Forward
John Jones, UMM student
Jes Beyer, CST Staff
Stevens Forward! is sponsored by the Stevens County Board of Commissioners and is an effort to create a brighter future for all residents in the county. Stevens Forward! is about creating county wide partnerships and working with one another to make improvements in our economic, environmental, and social future. Activities include: collecting information to develop narrative descriptions for the Destiny Drivers, posting information/update website, updating brochure, preparing information for media distribution (radio, newspaper), and assisting Coordinator with project logistics.
