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Tag: Community Improvement

Community Capitals Framework; Measuring Success Now And In The Future Using Social Capital

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

Community Capitals Framework; Measuring Success Now And In The Future Using Social Capital

By Kylee Harrison

What makes a community a desirable place to live?  You could ask 100 different people this question and get 100 different responses.  Things like resources, location, size or jobs might float to the top of the list.  However, people often forget the one aspect that links all those responses together which is social connection.  People want to feel connected and included.

 

Social capital is just one of the seven different ways that we can measure strengths of our communities and possibly, see where gaps may exist.  This measuring mechanism is referred to as community capitals.  Communities that make plans using these seven capitals will be able to see how they intertwine with each other and develop a comprehensive plan moving forward.

 

Social capital can be one of your community’s greatest resources.  Have you ever heard the phrase, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”  Well in this instance, that might be partly right.  “Who you know” can become your network.  A well-functioning network in a community may be a resource for shared knowledge and ideas.  This makes almost all community efforts more effective.  When social capital is at its best, common goals and decisions are made and easier to follow because of the shared consensus.  In addition to networking, social capital also has other elements which makes it the cornerstone to your community.  Additional components include a sense of belonging, high morale, trust and reciprocity of favors.

 

Building of social capital can be done in a few different ways.  This can be done through closed social capital which is achieved when groups communicate and work on projects together.  Bridging social capital among communities is another way of boosting your overall social capital.  In rural communities, the pooling of resources is necessary to accomplish big goals.

 

Social capital amongst a community is dependent upon the quality of relationships that are formed within individuals and groups.  The process takes time, but the end result of making your community a desirable place to live is worth it.

Cold and Aging

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

Cold and Aging

By Nancy Honig

This past week we had our first significant snowfall. The moisture was much needed, the kids enjoyed playing in the snow, but for some older adults it was a concerning, even scary event. As we age into our 60’s and beyond, cold has a more profound effect and creates more risks than when we were younger. As we age, the compensatory mechanisms for keeping warm are less robust. Older people tend to shiver less or not at all when their body temperature drops, and they can lose body heat faster and may not be as aware of getting cold.

Health issues may make it harder for your body to stay warm. Thyroid problems can make it hard to maintain a normal body temperature. Diabetes can keep blood from flowing normally to provide warmth. Parkinson’s disease and arthritis can make it hard to put on more clothes, use a blanket, or get out of the cold.  Both medications, and not being as physically active, can interfere with normal temperature regulation.

There are a number of ways to keep you safe from the cold, beginning with staying inside if at all possible! Wet and windy are a double threat in the cold and make it less possible to maintain warmth, so avoid both. After snow often comes melting and then ice. This is when falls often occur. As our balance becomes more precarious with age this becomes even more of a concern.

So, what can you do to stay warm and safe this winter:

* Set your heat to at least 68–70°F. To save on heating bills, close off rooms you are not using. Close the vents and shut the doors in these rooms and keep the basement door closed. Place a rolled towel in front of all doors to keep out drafts.

* Wearing layers of loose-fitting clothes is important both inside and out.  Because the face, neck, and hands are high vascular areas and we can lose heat quickly from them, it is best to keep them covered.

* Dress warmly on cold days even if you are staying in the house. Throw a blanket over your legs. Wear socks and slippers.

* When you go to sleep, wear long underwear under your pajamas, and use extra covers.

* Make sure you eat enough food to keep up your weight. If you don’t eat well, you might have less fat under your skin. Body fat helps you to stay warm.

* Consider having a neighbor, friend or relative shovel your snow. If you choose to shovel, take some precautions. Remember, when it’s cold outside, your heart works double time to keep you warm. Strenuous activities like shoveling snow may put too much strain on your heart, especially if you have heart disease. Shoveling can also be dangerous if you have problems with balance or have “thin bones” (osteoporosis).

* If going outside wear boots with non-skid soles. If you use a cane, replace the rubber tip before it is worn smooth and consider an ice pick-like attachment that fits onto the end of the cane for additional traction.

We are all in need of being more cautious during cold weather regardless of our age. But if you or a loved one is bothered by the cold and snow, use the above precautions to help stay safe. Happy wintertime!

Volunteering

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

Volunteering

By Kylee Harrison

It seems that when organizations gather to share ideas, one common theme emerges, “We could do so much more if we had more volunteers.”  This statement seems to ring true no matter if you are visiting with your local library, school, little league board or 4-H.  As a result of lack of volunteers, organizations are forced to do more with less resources and the few volunteers or employees are left to scramble.

Why is it so hard to groups to find help?  The resounding answer is time, or rather lack thereof.  We all get it.  Adults are being pulled in a hundred different directions.  The thought of adding one more to your plate is outright scary.  Most organizations offer many flexible options to volunteering now that don’t make it feel like a life sentence!

If you are an organization looking for volunteers, here are a few tips to help get and keep good helpers.

  1. Offer a description so volunteers understand the task
  2. Onboard the volunteer, much like starting a new job
  3. Consider “micro-volunteering” this would be a bite-sized volunteer role. In 4-H, this could be a SPIN Club (It’s just 6 meetings!)
  4. Have open communication
  5. Make it enjoyable

On the flip side, here are some great benefits to being a caring volunteer.

  1. Helps to build a resume
  2. Great way to meet other individuals with similar interests
  3. Strengthens your community
  4. Encourages civic responsibility
  5. Makes your healthier (emotions like optimism and joy strengthen the immune system😊)

First Friday e-Calls

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

First Friday e-Call Webinars

By Kylee Harrison

First Friday calls are an excellent opportunity to learn about resources available across the state.  The purpose of the First Friday e-Call is to increase the local community’s knowledge of the experts, education, and economic resources available to help small businesses and entrepreneurs and to share innovations in community development.

The First Friday calls are hosted by K-State Research & Extension Community Vitality Specialist, Nancy Daniels.  Each month, she brings in an informative speaker and explains interesting opportunities for you and/or your community.

The e-Calls are hosted via zoom on the first Friday of each month at 9:30 a..m.   The next call will be May 6th and will feature Erik Pedersen and Amara Kniep, from NetWork Kansas, will share exciting opportunities made possible by a $500,000 grant from the Patterson Family Foundation.

To register for this e-Call or any of the future calls, please go to https://tinyurl.com/y9pjybxv

Women are a Family’s Health Promoter

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

 

Women are a Family’s Health Promoter

By Alma Varela; Published by SW Region Community Health Corner, A Monthly Newsletter by K-State Research and Extension, the Immunize Kansas Coalition and local partners supporting women’s wellness

Women are leaders of health for their families and communities. For example, mothers are often the first to recognize when their children are not feeling well and know the best ways to prevent family illnesses. Also, the majority of women have jobs. For those fortunate enough, those jobs have essential benefits like health insurance, family and sick leave, and wellness programs. Women sometimes don’t prioritize their own well-being and delay check-ups that can prevent chronic conditions. That’s why K-State Research and Extension and partners provide the SW Region Community Health Corner newsletter. Each monthly newsletter will contain information about women’s health, immunization, and how to improve health literacy. Health Literacy means building skills like reading medicine labels and consent forms, understanding instructions given by health providers, and understanding blood pressure readings, coping with stress and seeking health for all. Women use health literacy skills to communicate health needs and make health decisions to ensure her well-being and that of her family.

Vaccination How do vaccinations work, and why are they important?

Did you know that vaccines have been around for over 200 years? In 1796 the first vaccine was made to stop a disease called Smallpox. Since then, scientists have worked hard to create new vaccines to keep us healthy and safe.

Vaccines work by tricking our body into thinking we have been exposed to a germ. To do this, scientists take a dead, weakened, or harmless part of a germ and introduce it into our bodies. Our body reacts to the harmless germ by alerting our immune system to an intruder. Then, our immune system sends fighter cells to attack the intruder. During the attack, our body learns to recognize the germ so the next time it enters our body, we do not get sick. This process is called Acquired Immunity. When you get vaccinated, you not only help yourself, you protect everyone around you, Especially those who have weakened immune systems. This protection is called Heard Immunity. It occurs when the germ can’t get to a vulnerable person because so many people around that person are vaccinated.

Vaccination works much like an umbrella that offers protection from getting wet in a rainstorm. Though you might get a bit of sprinkle here or there, an umbrella keeps you from getting drenched. A vaccination works similarly for protection against viruses. Thanks to Justin Goodno, Barber County Agriculture and Natural Resources, for sharing this analogy.

Find a vaccine near you:

Text your ZIP code at 438829

Call 1-800-232-0233

ZOOM – Which side of the fence are you on?

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

ZOOM – Which side of the fence are you on?

By Kylee Harrison

We are fast approaching the two-year mark of “the change.” The change happened when this thing called Covid screamed into our lives.  On top of the new health jargon we were learning, we were also experiencing a whole other gamut of newness.  Terms like zoom, virtual, hybrid-format and online were becoming a mainstay in our lives.

Here we are two years later and Covid aside, we are still talking about the whole virtual thing.  I don’t just mean with schools, but work, churches, civic organizations, and other extra-curricular activities.   So, what side of the fence do you fall on?  It seems that people have a hard opinion on whether this is a positive trend that we have entered into, or if they are ready to get back to the “old” way of doing things.  Here are some interesting facts to consider:

Geographical Distance – Living in Southwest Kansas, it is no secret that we are a few miles from the big city.  More often than not, work meetings, conferences and other activities happen in these larger cities.  In order to attend an in-person event, extensive travel is necessary.  This is not always feasible in every situation.  Online formats make for greater access to those of us living a distance from cities.

 

Time Commitment – Virtual meetings typically last an average of 1-2 hours.  If this was an in-person meeting and travel was an additional 2-3 hours, that could potentially be the majority of your day that is taken up with one task.  Online offers a worker the ability to be more productive with their work hours.

Like I mentioned above, there is definitely another side to this debate.  One could argue that online formats of events have done nothing but hinder societies meaningful, productive connections.  Drawbacks of virtual events include; technology hardware, reliable internet and knowledge of participants.  Simply put, will the participants enjoy the experience?

One compromise is becoming known as a hybrid format.  This is a case where some participants are in person while others are virtual.  Another option is a fusion.  This happens when all participants are together, but some sessions are online and others are in person.  This typically happens when the event is over a period of time.

In my opinion, it doesn’t seem that virtual gatherings will be going away any time soon.  K-State is actually having some very interesting discussions involving community training for attending/hosting hybrid formats as well as possible trainings for those interested in working remotely.  If you are interested in any of these topics, or have an opinion to share, please feel free to email kharrison@ksu.edu or call 620-624-5604.

It’s Back to School Time!

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

It’s Back to School Time!

By Nancy Honig

The beginning of a new school year brings both excitement and dread from parents and students alike. Getting back into the swing of school can be challenging, but the more structure and routine that is established early can often lead to an easier transition and start the school year on a positive note.

Begin by preparing for new school routines. Consider creating a weekly calendar on a whiteboard to serve as a visual reminder of the day’s activities for the entire family. For older students help them prepare an academic planner with daily routines. There are even apps students can put on their phones to help them keep track of their homework.

Being organized and establishing routines also helps reduce stress for everyone in the household. Routines, from breakfast to bedtime, help everyone know what is expected and planning becomes second nature.

For example, packing a lunch together the night before saves time in the morning and involves children in the process of choosing, preparing and packing. Research supports claims that a nutritious breakfast means children feel better, learn better and behave better during the hours prior to lunch.

Establish early that you will be monitoring your child’s use of social media. It is important to know who your children are connecting with and to intervene when necessary. Consider putting time limits on your child’s use of social media as well to ensure it is not interfering with sleep, homework, exercise, friendships, etc.

Be present and mindful. When you see your child off to school or welcome them home, give them your full attention, be 100 percent present. Managing your own stress and regulating your responses to difficult situations will help your child learn to do the same. Role-model coping strategies such as deep breathing, taking a break or talking about worries.

Remember, parents play a major role in providing the foundation for their children’s success at school. Parents who are organized, establish child-friendly routines, and present a positive attitude let children know they can always be depended on for support. Hoping each family in our surrounding communities has a wonderful 2021-2022 school year!

Writing a Grant: Where do I begin?

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

Writing a Grant: Where do I begin?

By Kylee Harrison, Community Vitality Agent

Recently, I have been asked a little about grant writing.  A common perception seems to be intimidation of the overall thought of asking for funding.  Where do I look? How much should I ask for?  What kind of information do they want to see?  K-State Research and Extension offers a wonderful resource that can help ease any anxiety you may have about this topic.

Grants can be written for a host of different topics and anticipated outcomes.  Non-profit organizations, daycares and community improvement projects are just a few ideas of ways that you could be involved.   With the KSRE grant writing workshop you will learn to conquer your fears and start writing, data sources, where to look for grants and how to develop the five major elements needed in any grant.

A recent grant writing workshop participant asked about their perspective of the class.  He said, “What your classes do really well is help people know not to be intimidated.  They can do it.”

If you or your organization is interested in more information on the grant writing workshops, please contact myself at kharrison@ksu.edu or 620-624-5604.

What is a Vision Board?

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

What is a vision board?

By Kylee Harrison, Community Vitality Agent

Starting the New Year with setting a resolution is a common occurrence.  It is also a pretty common occurrence to have that resolution fail.  In fact, according to forbes.com, 80% of all New Year resolutions fail.  One theory for the botched goal setting may lie in how we set those goals.  One way to start 2021 with more achievable resolutions is to create a vision board.

What exactly is a vision board?  It is a tangible, visible way to display your goals, which could be formatted in many different ways.  It could be a collage of images, words or other small reminders that are meant to get you motivated.  65% of people are visual learners.  These same people benefit from having a visual motivational tool as well.  In today’s fast-paced society, we have limited flexibility and time in our daily life, and we become almost robotic.  Vision boards are a way to unstick yourself and get the creative juices flowing!

How do I start?

  1. Reflect – Think about what you want in life. New job? Buy a house? Finish a degree?  Launch a business?  If you are having trouble focusing in on where to begin, use these eight categories to help you start.  Health, Wealth, Love, Career, Spirituality, Family, Knowledge, Travel
  2. Set Goals – Make sure that the goals you set are SMART Goals. By using this acronym to create your goals, it will help to make them more achievable, in return giving you a greater sense of accomplishment.
  3. Collect – Gather images, words, phrases, quotes. Anything that will give you encouragement is great to put on your board.
  4. Assemble – Get a solid board of any medium and arrange the cutouts in a way that’s meaningful to you. Add embellishments to make it personalized and unique.  Remember, there isn’t a right or wrong way to make a vision board!
  5. Display – This is the most important step! Place the finished product in a prominent spot where you will see it each day.  Spend a few moments each day reflecting on your vision for the year.  Another idea is to take a picture of it and make it your background on your phone or computer.  If you don’t see you board every day, you are less likely to achieve your goals!

Here are some examples of great boards to get you started!

 

 

Check Your Credit

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

Check Your Credit

By: Kristin Penner, Director

Have you checked your credit lately?  False claims of unemployment have caused a lot of concern over the past few months in Kansas so now is your chance.  One in five people have an error on at least one of their credit reports according to a study conducted by the federal trade commission.  Why not check your credit for free?

Credit reports affect many different aspects of your life, including ability to get a loan, rates for loans and insurance, and more.  The Family Resource Management Program Focus Team is encouraging you to sign up for K-State Research and Extension’s Check your Credit email program.

The program is designed to remind you to check your credit report three times during the year on February 2, June 6, and October 10.  You will also receive periodic emails with information about how to understand your credit report, how to correct errors, and use your credit report to you advantage.

There is no cost to participate and registration is easy!  Sign up today at

http://www.bit.ly/ksrecheckyourcredit

Community Capitals

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

Community Capitals Framework; Measuring Success Now And In The Future

A common chord that communities all over the United States share is they are actively looking to the future.  Whether it is a mid-level urban setting, or the smallest of “Small Town, USA,” leaders are trying to determine what the next steps are for their neighborhoods, counties or districts.  The Community Capitals Series introduces the concept of measuring current successes and resources in communities based on seven dimensions called community capitals.  According to Cheryl Jacobs, Community Leadership Development Extension Associate with South Dakota State University Cooperative Extension Service, capital is defined as a resource that is capable of producing additional resources.  Community capitals are also a useful way of identifying potential improvements.  In this article, we will be focusing on natural capital, which is defined as the environment, natural beauty, lakes, rivers and streams, forests, wildlife, soil and the local landscape.

Natural capital consists of all the natural resources available to a community, which could include water, air, fertile soil, biodiversity and landscape or wildlife habitats.  These are all resources that are not man-made and already exist.  Most all our natural capitals can be affected by things that are out of human control, such as drought.

Continue reading “Community Capitals” →