6 Mini-events you could hold downtown next Thursday

You want to bring more life and activity to your downtown, but big events are a big pain. Let’s do some tiny events instead. They’re a small pain, but a lot of fun.  Recruit anyone who gives lessons to hold a student performance (could be music, dance, martial arts, drama, writing, language, anything!) Students bring families,…

Why you can’t get started: you’re trying to start too big

People tell me about their big dreams, the big goals and the compelling vision for where they want to end up. We talk about what is holding them back. Often they can’t get started on it because it’s too big.  A woman in Kansas can picture her dream so clearly: a community dinner that shuts…

How a little can of Elbow Grease started a cascade of good in a small town

Marci Penner with the Kansas Sampler Foundation shared this story. I couldn’t resist it:  An empty can of “elbow grease” is being passed around in Lindsborg, Kansas. A small group decided to recognize those who were making an extra effort in Lindsborg. What happened next was beautiful. The can quickly became a coveted item that…

Public involvement isn’t some stupid survey

“Didn’t get to attend yesterday’s public workshop? Share your ideas for the Park on our online survey.” It sounds good, doesn’t it? “We held a workshop! We let everyone else give input with an online survey! We’re being open to people!”  No.  Asking people to fill out your survey or attend your public meeting or…

Why I didn’t ask what the group wants in your downtown

When I met with the people interested in forming a downtown development group in Pullman, Washington, I shared some basic ideas about the Innovative Rural Business Models, then we all walked through downtown together to spot opportunities. At the end, a reporter asked me why I didn’t start in the usual way. He said he…

Let’s paint the picnic tables and see where it leads ?

This is an Idea Friendly story.  In Centerville, South Dakota, a small group of people decided it was time to repaint the picnic tables in the city-owned park. They approached the city council to ask just for the cost of the paint. The volunteer crowd would do all the work. The council declined, but the…

Clean Your Own Sidewalk Day, and how to start it ♻

One of the towns I visited recently has a dirty sidewalk problem. It looks like every time it rained, dirt and leaves and stuff wash out of the streets and onto the sidewalks. Pretty messy.  “We did a cleanup project once,” someone said. But dirt, like life, keeps happening.  You’ll have a cleaner town when…