Schedule

My own Idea Friendly Story

Brendan Hoffman, international photojournalist from Kiev, Ukraine, was spending two months at my place. It was an artist residency giving him the opportunity to showcase his photos from the Ukraine War. It was a perfect opportunity for me to try out an Idea Friendly big idea. What if we had a temporary gallery in an empty building? Brendan was on board, as was Legacy Learning Boone River Valley.

A group of interested people gathered, discussed what was needed and began taking small steps to get it done. No committee meetings, just everyone doing a little something. An empty building, press releases, online marketing, outreach to Ukrainian communities, funds for framing photos, volunteers to greet visitors were just a few of the connections made and small steps taken.

It went off without a hitch. It was successful under regular conditions: great turnouts, promotion of the empty space (now full), and recognition for the artist. More surprising results were tied to the actual photographs. They showed the viewers that war can happen anywhere, and quickly. This area of the Ukraine was once just another group of small communities, living their lives day to day. Then one day armoured tanks rolled through their streets, bombings happened, many people died. War is real.

Videos: 

Each month we wrote, shot and recorded videos. After the pandemic began we switched to videos that focused on recovery. We also reduced the price to $5. You can take a look at our site: https://learnto.saveyour.town

Keynotes: 

• Opening Keynote for TS Bank Economic Development Conference for Rural towns in Staunton, Iowa, Filling Empty Buildings.
• Opening Keynote in Hannibal MO for North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC) Title
• Annual Dinner Keynote in Rock Valley, Iowa The Future of Rural
• Keynote for Small Business at Sequin TX The Future of Small Business
• Spoke at Radically Rural Remote Take Your Empty Buildings off Furlough!
• SMTulsa 8 Ways to get around the rules
• Montana Extension presentation with Becky McCray Idea Friendly Method 
• TMCN Virtual Conference – Seeing the Small Town Future
• presentation to RCD in Hancock County Filling Empty Buildings and Lots

Student Work

• Live Q and A with students in Idaho
• Students in Grundy County, Illinois How to start a rural business

Podcasts:

• Podcast with Mayor Matt Searle www.smalltownpodcast.com
• Podcast with Ben Rowley https://www.ruralbusiness.com/a-common-sense-approach-to-reinvigorating-small-town-america/
• Podcast with Jeff Siegler https://www.facebook.com/proudplaces/posts/214183826937799

Webinars:

• BCEDA Refilling the Business Pipeline
• First Friday Kansas State Grow Your Own Entrepreneurs, Making Entrepreneurship Self Sustaining 
• NRECA Community Development webinar series Save Your Town By Engaging Everyone
• Master of Agribusiness (MAB) program at K-State The Future of Rural

Radio interview

• Jackie Shireman of WBBA Radio in Pittsfield, Ill.
• KHMO AM of Hannibal
• Scott Hardy at WTAD Radio in Quincy, Ill

Recorded interviews posted on LinkedIn:

• Ann in Idaho
• Rob Hatch
• Ted Kilmer
• Pastor
• Erica Pangburn
• Mary Hodson
• Andrew Button
• Chris Casillas
• CC Chapman

ECE

• Ripley Ohio
• Mt Ayr Iowa
• 5 counties in Montana

Coaching 

• Client in upstate NY
• I meet regularly with Brook Boehmler, and we coach each other

Miscellaneous

• #140Liv Co Hosted several episodes with Jeff Pulver
• Spoke to Rotary about Art in Communities
• Did a live Q and A on Our Town Matters