And you can help with this round. The first round of beta readers—Rob, Stephanie, Bob, Kim and Deb—have just finished reading and commenting on my upcoming book on the Idea Friendly Method, and I couldn’t be happier with their feedback. The book shows how people like you can transform your communities using the Idea Friendly…
Store owners in downtown Russellville, Arkansas, opened up on Friday to find their intersection had been painted with retro flowers and “I heart Russellville.” “Who painted that intersection overnight??!” It was the Sketchy Ninjas. OK, that may not even be their name, because they’re still deciding what to call themselves. It’s just a few folks…
I just sat down to eat my sandwich at The Old Creamery Cooperative in Cummington, Massachusetts, when I spotted it: a few shelves right across from the tables, offering pottery, local books, handmade jewelry, and art prints for sale. A simple sign read “the little gallery.” I’m always looking for these tiny businesses inside another…
Today, you get a sneak preview of my upcoming book on the Idea Friendly Method. I’ve heard a lot from people all over struggling to create collaborations, and this story provides some practical insights in making collaboration last. In the late 1990s, Curtis Wynn stepped into the role of CEO at Roanoke Electric Cooperative in…
Linda is a economic development board member from a town of 5,000 people. Inspired by our stories, she and the board members want to create a Tiny Business Village, like the one above. They’ve been sharing their vision for the village project with the city council because they need permission to spend over a certain…
Kathryn Witherington says the Idea Friendly Method has rewritten her perfectionist brain! She’s working on an affordable housing project in Walla Walla, Washington. Lately, she’s been trying to rethink the way people can contribute to their organization without being expected to join a committee or become a formal member. Kathryn said she recently met a…
When Rebecca Undem interviewed me, she shared a story that helps explain why some people just don’t seem to get excited by your idea. Rebecca bought and rehabbed an old building in Oakes, North Dakota, (population 1800) to support and develop more local businesses with coworking, an event venue, conference space, training space and a…
Kathryn Witherington recently confessed that she’s been using Idea Friendly for 6 years! Truly cannot say enough about the Idea Friendly method for this – I’ve used it in the last 6 years to create two downtown public spaces, including millions in investment from the city, and am now using it to grow affordable housing…
In our 10 Years of Rural Insights webinar last week, Jaime Shanks said in the chat: We recently formed a group after ReImagine Rural sessions – very loose group that is more about action vs. meetings. We call ourselves the “Vigiplantes” (based on vigilantes but we are planting new ideas, beautification, actual trees and plants)….
The city council members are not your enemy. The code enforcement officials are not your enemy. The funding board members who keep giving money to other projects are not your enemy. On every round of our Survey of Rural Challenges, people tell us about leaders not moving forward, officials not acting on suggestions or new ideas,…
Sometimes officials ask, “What should we do first?” or “What are the 10 things we should do?” It’s not just officials, either. All kinds of people and groups want to know, ‘what should we do first?’ You can find 10 things you can choose from, or do them all, right here. We’ve also provided links…
That headline–hope is as infectious as despair–came from Geoffrey Canada, of the Harlem Children’s Zone, speaking at the recent Council of State Governments East Annual Conference. You know I’m always taking notes, looking for ideas we can adapt from big cities and small towns to our own communities. I liked that statement about hope so…
Sign up for our free weekly newsletter from SaveYour.Town. We focus on the issues that matter to you: real, rural, small town. We share practical steps you can put into action right away.
You’re signing up to receive emails from SaveYour.Town – Thanks!