Very simply, we’re working to give rural Michigan a voice.
Currently, there is no unified voice for all rural communities in statewide decision making, law making and financing allocations within the State of Michigan.
December 2007 - Present Activities:
The Founding of a Michigan Rural Legislative Caucus - talking points from Dec. 07 mtg
Kellogg "Rural People, Rural Policy" grant proposal - submitted and accepted March 08
Minutes from Rural Roundtable talks at RD Conference - April 16, 2008
Kellogg RPRP - 1st Peer Learning Session - May 5 - 9, 2008 in Nebraska City, NE
Minutes from Process/Planning meeting at Treetops in Gaylord - July 16, 2008
Article written for Kellogg publication about National Rural Assembly participation
Minutes from 9/26/08 conference call (prep for Kellogg 2nd Peer Learning Session)
Kellogg RPRP - Peer Learning Session #2:
October 13 - 17, 2008, in Kalamazoo, MI
Coming next:
a) Hiring a Network Coordinator - see notes from 9/26/08 conference call
b) Expansion of the Network to include organizations representing the education, health, environmental, youth, Native American, and cultural sectors. (Goal: 12/1/08)
c) Setting a 2009 Policy Platform (Goal: 2/1/09)
*** Note: The National Rural Compact will be referenced in the MRN's Policy Platform.
PARTNERS in the W.K.Kellogg Foundation's RPRP Network Training:
City of Ithaca - Stephen King and Brad Heffner
Community Economic Development Association of Michigan - Tim Hardesty and Emily Doerr
Great Lakes Capital Fund - Tom Edmiston and Denny Sturtevant
Michigan Community Action Agency Association - Kris Brady and Jim Crisp
MSHDA - Dave Allen and Bill Parker
Rural Partners of Michigan - Al Hooper and Michelle LaJoie
Partner in the Network, but not in the Kellogg Training:
US Department of Agriculture - Rural Development - Christine Maxwell and Wendy Sexton
