Forsyth, MT

   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.

   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.

It looks like the swimming pool is in hot water again!  With the 08-09 budgeting process looming ahead, the City Council is once again considering ways to decrease the financial costs and/or increase revenues of the pool.   Realizing the pool has historically been a very volatile and emotional topic, the Horizons Project recently asked the City Council to assist.  The collaboration began with the Council & Horizons co-sponsoring a community wide public forum on the current status of the pool.  The Horizons Project provided trained facilitators who assisted in keeping the issue solution focused.

Following the public forum, the Horizons Project sponsored a mini-study circles where community members discussed the pool and worked together to define potential solutions.  As a wrap-up, the study circles made final recommendations to the city council, which focused on possible solutions that could be implemented.  The complete recomendations are listed on the blog.