Candidates & Partners Preparing for Community Internships
by Darryl Birkenfeld
After months of scouting,
recruiting, and working with partners, Ogallala Commons (OC) is ready to
welcome its biggest and most diverse group of Community Interns. For the next four weeks, more than 40
intern candidates will be attending interviews with their community partners,
to learn more about the candidate’s strengths and abilities, and to discuss
major projects. The result of the
interviews will be in an Internship Summary that defines the main objectives
and outcomes for the internship.
Later on in May, community partners will be drafting work plans for the
soon-to-begin interns, in order to establish a clear direction to guide the
interns from the start.
Another important event
will be the OC Intern & Supervisor Orientation, to be held on May 30 and 31
at the Bishop DeFalco Retreat Center in Amarillo, TX. The Orientation will bring together most of the Community
Interns and their supervisors from Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, and
Texas. The event features two days
of learning and enrichment—plus time to recreate and network with other
interns, as well as OC Board and Advisory Council members who will attend the
Orientation.
If any communities,
entities, or candidates are still contemplating a Community Internship in 2012,
there is still a chance, but swift action is needed to secure a spot in our
almost-filled roster. Contact
Julie Hodges (806-445-6075) is you have any questions.
Developing Partnerships Open Doors
By Julie Hodges
The past few weeks have been exciting for Ogallala Commons because of several new people and organizations we have made connections with through our Youth Engagement Programs.First, Julie gave a presentation to a group of folks who work for Communities In Schools. According to the Communities In Schools website, this organization is “a nationwide network of passionate professionals working in public schools to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.” Their focus is drop out prevention, but they do so much more. CIS agents get to know students and help to connect them with community resources that will benefit them by erasing barriers to their success – such as transportation, work, family problems, health care, and more. Agents work with students in K-12. Though our relationship with Communities In Schools, Ogallala Commons has been able to engage students in rural schools and we are currently working on several projects:
1. A Wellness Fair at an alternative high school coordinated by Sriyutha Reddy, a TTU student who will enter into medical school in the fall of 2012. 75 students will learn about several aspects of wellness including: Physical Fitness, Nutrition and Mental Health.
2. Internships for students – We have received a handful of applications from students and adults who were informed about Community Internships by their CIS agent.
3. Playa Festivals – Ogallala Commons is working to take our Playa Festivals to new communities, thanks to help for CIS agents.
Second, exciting developments have been occurring in our Youth Engagement Day and Youth Entrepreneur Fair programs. These programs will be expanding thanks to partnerships with Wayland Baptist University’s Business School in Plainview, West Texas A&M’s Enterprise Center in Amarillo, and the communities and EDCs of Dumas, Borger and Pampa.
This summer we will hold the first ever teacher training for educators interested in participating in our Youth Engagement Days and E-Fairs. The event will take place on July 12th at the Enterprise Center in Amarillo. We will also be taking these programs to the northern part of the Texas Panhandle for the first time!
Rawlins County Entrepreneur Fair
By Chris Sramek
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| Jessie Smith at her booth for Papa Charlie's Cornmeal |
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| Judges view a booth during the Rawlins County E-Fair |
This year's judges include two former winners: Simone Cahoj and Miranda Simminger, SBDC business coach, former Rawlins County and Goodland Vo-Tech E-ship program graduate. In addition, local banker Linde Hagler, David Baker from Iowa State University's Beginning Farmer Center, and Brooks Brenn, local Pioneer Seed rep and sponsor, rounded out the team of judges.
Judges view a booth during the Rawlins County E-Fair
Community support for the E-Fair has greatly increased. For example, local business Surefire Ag awarded Jason Sis the Ready-Set-Go Award to buy a bagging machine for his compost business, have samples tested, and complete a feasibility analysis. Jason plans to attend a Vo-Tech College, and return to the family farm and add his business to their operations.
