Forsyth, MT

 Following on the heals of the local pool forum hosted by the City of Forsyth and the Forsyth Horizons Project, the Sout Eastern Montana Development Corporation hosted a similar more wide-spread get together.  Recognizing many of the communities in the south eastern region are facing municipal pool issues, whether it be building new, renovating or funding the current one, all seem to agree the pool is a contensious issue around town. SEMDC hopes to assist the communities first by getting everyone to the table to brainstorm on different ideas and then look at possible solutions.  Following on the Horizons model, the notion is that we’ll all benefit if we work together.

   MSU Extension Agent Byron Hould facilitated the Master Gardener program, which is helping build the foundation for a local community garden.  18 community members completed and passed the training.  Some of the graduates will soon be gathering to focus on developing a local community garden, which surfaced as a need/desire through the Horizons Project and has since been determined as one of the long term projects to be worked on.

   Thanks to the Horizons Project and the results of the mini study circles focusing on the pool, the City is developing & offering a community driven task force who will be responsible for researching some long term solutions for sustaining the local swimming pool.  The City Council was unanimously in favor of creating the committee to assist them in determining outcomes.  It also provides area residents with the opportunity to determine solutions.  If anyone is interested in serving, contact the Forsyth City Clerk’s Office.

   The Forsyth Horizons project, partnering with the Rosebud-Treasure County Extension Office hosted MSU Extension Community Development Specialist Paul Lachapelle who provided a very education presentation to community members who serve on county, municipal and school boards/committees.    Over 25 area residents who serve in some capacity for their city or county government or local school.  Also in attendance were city and county administrators and attorneys.  A brief survey utilized at the conclusion of the training indicates participants increased knowledge and understanding of such topics including Montana’s Open Meeting Laws, board liability, and code of ethics.  Results indicated a vast majority of the participants planned to implement the practices taught by developing and adopting board policies & procedures, a code of ethics and following gthe requirements prescribed in Montana’s Open Meeting Law.   As a follow up, the Rosebud County Commissioners along with the Extension Office and the Horizons Project are laying the foundation for further trainings.  Survey results indicated participants wanted additional training and education on topics including creating public awareness, developing positive public communications within the board and public, managing conflict and taking action on pressing issues.   Many attendees leveraged their participation by using it as a marketing tool for their campaign.

Thanks in part to the success of the Forsyth Horizons Project, the local extension office is expanding to provide resources to area residents who are eligible for food stamps.  The Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program aims to provide support and lifeskills education to folks who are in poverty.  The program features a six session educational component where participants learn about basic budgeting, shopping, meal preparation and basic nutrition.  There is also a youth component which is currently being conducted through the area schools.

Forsyth had an unprecedented 252 complete community surveys. What they like about Forsyth is the small town with easy access around town & to the Interstate, the friendly people and low crime rate. Strengths are it’s schools, medical care and retirement villa and its location by the Yellowstone and proximity to Billings. They would like to improve the streets, clean up the blight and junk vehicles, have more activities for youth and add more businesses. Of the issues that came out of study circles, these 252 said infrasturcture was the most important issue to address - streets were frequently mentioned. A close second was expanding available services- more businesses with services not presently offered. Community beautification, recreational opportunities including using the Yellowstone plus marketing the community assets and communication rounded out the field. The steering committee will be working on these and communicating and collaborating with the city, county and area organizations to help make them happen.

Over 50 area residents turned out over the week of April 21-26 to participate in the 1st Annual Forsyth Trash Bash hosted by the Forsyth Horizons Project.  The Horizons Project joined forces with the local Forsyth Chamber of Commerce, Forsyth Lions Club, 4-H Clubs, church groups and area businesses in the quest to keep Forsyth clean and well kept.   

The pick up service was utilized by over 15 senior citizens.  Started by the input received from the Study Circles process, the pick up service allows local residents, who for one reason or another can not dispose of large trash items, themselves, have the items picked up and hauled to the transfer station by volunteers. This year, lots of yard trash and old appliances were taken to the transfer station thanks to our many volunteers.

New this year, area businesses donated close to $300 which was raffled off to those organizations who helped clean.   The organization/business received one ticket per full bag of trash collected at the transfer station.  The tickets were then entered into a drawing where the winners wer drawn at the community BBQ held directly after.  

Marsha Goettings, MSU Family Economics Specialist, gave another dynamic, very informative presentation on the ins & outs of estate planning to over fifty area residents April 29th.  Hosted by the local Horizons Program, the program gave folks the opportunity to “ask the expert” questions about best practices for sustaining their own individual financial security.  The majority of the participants were citizens who will soon be facing retirement, those who are assisting their parents with transferring their wealth and lastly, area professionals–including bankers, financial planners and accountants.

Excitment was in the air on the evening of June 10th where over 50 area community members gathered to convene the 1st annual meeting of the local community foundation.  Thanks to the wonderful accomodations of Dick & Alecia Smith, owners of the Joseph & the Iron Horse Saloon, the atmosphere and appetizers set the tone for the rest of the evening.  Cathy Cooney Program Director from the MCF provided some background and insight into what a community foundation does.  Marvin Quinlan Jr provided some specifics about the development of the F.A.I.R. Foundation, including participation and support of the Forsyth Horizons Project and the financial donation of the Swede Schlesinger family.

The elections for the first ever board were friendly, cooperative and it seemed all attendees were focused on working together to build the foundation and the communities involved.  The board consists of seven members.  One representative of each community involved, Forsyth, Angela, Ingomar and Rosebud.  Along with these positions, there are three at-large members. 

Pictured here is the newly elected board:  Keith Holmlund - Alzada, Johnna Newman - Ingomar, Marvin Quinlan Jr - Forsyth, Verlin Miller - Rosebud, Linda Hubbard, Ellen Coker and Gordon Dean — members at large.  

   The newly re-organized community foundation affiliated with the Montana Community Foundation set a very ambitious goal one April evening when we decided to attempt to raise $10,000 by May 31st.  Th amount which was needed to qualify for the $2,500 grant provided by the MCF (Montana Community Foundation).  As a steering committee member, I could sense the excitement of the other community members who had stepped up to the plate to help get this thing off the ground.  A super  special thanks goes to Ellen Coker, who throughout the evening meeting and on through the next month kept up us all up-beat with her ”yes we can” positive outlook.   

Fortunately, we realized our goal by the last week of May when the final tabulation had been completed.  With over $13,000 in hand, our steering committee was euphoric.  We did it…..We really did it!!! In less than two months our friends, family members, local businesses, organizations and even our youth had committed to the idea of creating a sustainable community. 

Next step is electing the first board of directors for the F.A.I.R. Community Foundation at the first annual meeting June 10th.