2013 We Kan! Conference
~ a project of the Kansas Sampler Foundation ~
- March 13 - Main Day of Conference - Session details
- March 12 - Tech Session - Tour of "The City", Wine Reception & Dinner, Lindsborg
- Conference News Release
- Sponsorship Information and list of Sponsors
- List of Attendees to date
- Silent Auction list to date
- We Kan Tidbits eblast with latest conference details
THE MAIN DAY: Wed., MARCH 13 SESSION 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. $65.
We kan achieve stronger communities if we give each person the opportunity to lend their experience, talents, and knowledge. Collective brilliance. All of us together. This conference provides an opportunity for each person to have a voice as we go forward together. The session topics are chosen with hopes that they have relevance to all.
"GET YOUR MIND A'THINKIN'" SESSION:
- Explorer Tourism Quiz
- See Kansas with New Eyes! PowerPoint
- The PowerUp Movement
- What question do you need answered today?
"PLENTY TO DO YET" SESSION:
- KanStarter (the We Kan! Bank)
- What is your Rural Action? What are you doing to push things along?
- And a fun surPRIZE!
THREE PLACES FOR YOU TO SHARE
1) There are three questions and we'd love for you to come on stage and provide no more than 30-second answers. Be thinking:
1) What burning question do you need to have answered today?
2) Share a great idea, a best practice, something you're doing (that is good for the whole)
3) State your Rural Action! What will you go home and do?
I'll be sending examples of these things to those who register.BREAKOUT SESSION 1:
1. Renewing Rural Strength and Appeal Through Community Collaboration.How do you bring a community together? How do you get different groups to all get on the same page for the common good of the town? How do you make it fun to live in a community? How do you spur economic development? Basil Dannebohm has recently returned to Kansas from California and is already making a difference in Kansas.
2. Get Regional! How did they put together the K-96 June Jaunt, the K-99 Fabulous Finds, the U.S. 36 Treasure Hunt? And, what kind of marketing did they do? Simone Cahoj, Julie Roller, and Gloria Moore will share how their organizations did it.
3. Looking at Housing with New Eyes. Some new ideas are creating new energy for looking at the housing situation in rural communities. Liz Sosa, Garden City, and Christy Hopkins, Greeley County Community Development, will share ideas that are promoting action, not talk. Mark Clark, contractor, will share his vision for upgrading existing stock – but he wants your input.4. How community kitchens can add a delicious new element to entrepreneurship in your town. Phyll Klima of Salina Downtown, Inc. will talk about their Kitchen4Hire project and all the entrepreneurs that are using this community kitchen incubator! With increased regulations for Kansas-made food products, it makes more sense to create a community kitchen for use by many people.
BREAKOUT SESSION 2:
1. Ad Hoc It! Make things happen. Kathy Richardson, Ibis Woman Jewelry, and Corey Peterson, Hemslojd, helped form Lindsborg Ad Hoc Business Roundtable, a positive, forward-moving group created to compliment structured efforts. They found talents and support in unexpected places.
2. Communicate effectively with your target audience! Julie Roller, Pottawatomie County Economic Development, is back to teach how to use Constant Contact for an e-blast template. You can do this. Just learn some simple steps and power up the delivery of your message.
3. Buy Harvey! "Buy Harvey" is a well-designed buy local campaign for the cities in Harvey County. Pandea Smith and Bob Burke will share the information in a way that will make it useable for a town of any size.
SPEED LEARNING SESSIONS (You'll choose five 15-minute sessions from the topics below. Maximum of seven people at each session.)
1. Converting an old school bus into a tourism bus! Teresa Huffman will share how they did it in Marion County.
2. New legislation now allows bottles of Kansas wines to be sold at events. Hear from Patrick Guilfoyle about the highly successful "Winesong at Riverfest Park" event in DeSoto and find out how you could do it.
3. Co-owner of the Swedish Crown, Eric Lundstrom, will help you know how to promote your restaurant (translates to retail business, too) through social media and other means.
4. Need leadership classes in your town? Cheryl Lyn Higgins will tell you about Neighborhood Initiatives, a no-cost four session leadership class specifically geared for city governments/department heads.
5. The ag marketing program has changed from "Simply Kansas" to "Land of Kansas." Becky Sullivan will talk about the revamped program and what it means for Kansas products.
6. Want to know if you should have an interest in Pinterest? Simone Cahoj will help you understand it all.
7. Trying to put together the puzzle of Community? Visit with Jeanette Siemens about the "pieces" of the Public Square process.
8. Put a new look to your marketing plan. Liz Sosa will present non-traditional graphic marketing options.
9. Want the easy and inexpensive way to make credit card transactions anywhere? All you need is a smart phone. WenDee LaPlant will help you square it all up.
10. The Kansas Humanities Council is looking for mind-blowing ways to explore, document, and discuss local history. Join Murl Riedel, Director of Grants, to explore ways in which a KHC grant can build momentum in your community. The best projects are out there, waiting to be discovered.
11. Abby Amick will tell you about free web sites through the use of blogs.
12. Want to know how your community can be a good Biking Across Kansas host -- or cater to bicyclists in general? Sherry McKee from Biking Across Kansas will answer all of your questions!
13. Does your community project need a mechanism to receive tax deductible donations and do the paperwork for you? Glenn Brunkow from the Kansas Rural Communities Foundation will tell you how it works.
14. Should you consider marketing with a billboard? How do you develop just the right message? Vickee Spicer from Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure will help you consider all the billboard angles.
15. Ask Patsy Terrell anything about Facebook, YouTube, Skype or Twitter. She'll help you understand where you should spend your time for your particular purpose.
16. Help with "Changing the Conversation: Telling the story of older Kansans," a page on the WSU web site. Teresa Radebaugh from the Regional Institute on Aging at Wichita State University is committed to sharing the stories of ordinary people who have the vision and perseverance to still make a difference. Help her know who should be on this site in your town.
17. We're adding a category to the getruralkansas.org site: "Get to know us." Even if your town doesn't have a page on this site, you can get your great stories posted here. Lou Ann Thomas will help you know how to pick the stories and how to get them on the site.
18. McPherson is one of the latest towns to have revealed two colorful and detailed murals that tell the story of their history and a present business. Anne Hassler will talk about how the mural came to be with involvement of community players.
19. What should you think about before restoring a historical building for re-use? Is it worth fixing up a historic building? Shari Wilson has plenty of experience to answer these questions and help you think about your project.
20. Amanda Wahlmeier of National Orphan Train Museum will share information on document preservation and archiving.
21. Is it still important to send news releases to newspapers and other media? Yes! You can send by e-mail but do it right. Cindy Mines of Travel Kansas/Wichita Times will help you know how to do it effectively to make it worth their time and yours.
22. How can you take advantage of technology to help grow your town or attraction(s)? Share your need with the Reflective Group and they'll help figure out how technology can help.
23. Ask about workforce housing finance options. Developing qualify senior
apartment communities, enabling seniors to stay in our rural communities.
Join a discussion on housing ideas, programs and resources with Tom Bishop
Those with questions about home ownership options for rural communities and senior housing development options using historic buildings should ask Tom Bishop.
24. Do you have questions about community gardens? Lauren Clary of Kansas Farmers Union can help.
25. Growing and marketing food locally is the new trend.Lauren Clary of Kansas Farmers Union can help move you forward with this.
26. Learn
the first steps of getting walking trails or bike paths in your town. Bob
Nicholson (Wilson State Park trail coordinator and president Kansas Trails
Council) knows stuff!
27. What do you need to know about producing rack cards, brochures, post cards and more. Judy Entz of Mennonite Press will be here to help you know how to do it.
28. Ask these PowerUps any question about the PowerUp Movement or about connecting, engaging, and empowering.
Is this APP-ropriate for you? Geeking out with Technology and Social Media
What's the session all about?
This is a learning, working, networking technology session that gives you a new look at community development.
The techy smart superintendent of the Inman School District, Kevin Case, will lead this fun, fast-paced half day session about cloud and mobile communication to promote and plan for your community and attractions.
The session will be hands on so bring your smart phones, iPads and laptops. Questions, sharing of expertise, and conversation about how to apply the information will be welcomed. This is like a Big Rural Brainstorm of technology -- your voice and helping each other will be put into play.
Who should attend?
Whatever level your knowledge, just know it will be moved forward at this session. Some of you may want to just sit and listen and watch over someone else's shoulder. Those of you who have a little geek in you will find this very stimulating!
Collective brilliance at work
The session will include ongoing discussion about how this all makes a difference for rural communities. We'll also help each other learn all of this!
Prairie Profile Interviews
Basil Dannebohm is working on a project called "Prairie Profiles: the people, places and things of the Kansas prairie." The profiles will first be featured on a "Prairie Profile" section of his popular blog, Uniquely Basil. Blog followers from both coasts are eager to learn about life on the Kansas prairie! Whether you've already spoken with Basil or want to take the first step to be on the profile list, you can schedule a 30-minute interview with him between 1-4 p.m. on March 12. Contact him at jeremy@dannebohm.com.
AND THEN...on March 12 (sign up for tour and dinner on registration form)
5:30-7 p.m. - Wine reception at Small World Gallery in Lindsborg.
7 p.m. - Dinner at the Swedish Crown in Lindsborg.
SPONSORS
ALL sponsors receive 1) a tax deduction 2) We Kan! Conference web page listing 3) Listed on the conference eblasts 4) Listed in the conference program with specific session 5) Signage at your session.
- For $50, you get to do a 45-second commercial at a breakout session.
- For $150, you get to do a 90-second commercial in front of whole group and your name and brochures will be featured at what you sponsor.
- For $250, one sponsor will get to put one brochure in the notebook and do a 90-second commercial in front of the whole group.
Sponsorships are taken for commercial spots but we are still accepting support at any dollar range. New sponsors as of February 28 will receive benefits 1 - 4 listed above.
For sponsorship information contact wendee@kansassampler.org and thank you for supporting the Kansas Sampler Foundation.
Visit Salina, Conference Notebooks.
- Epitome Enterprises, Garden City. Opening session.
- Longford Water, Longford. Bottled water.
- SCTelcom, Medicine Lodge. Afternoon snacks.
- HomeCommunications, Inc., Galva. Morning snacks.
- Small World Gallery, Lindsborg. Wine reception.
- UniquelyBasil, Meade. Wine reception.
- City of Meade, Meade. Breakout session
- Fowler State Bank, Meade branch. Breakout session.
- Heritage Real Estate Group, Liberal. Breakout session.
- Homestead Community Development, Holton. Breakout Session.
- Meade County Economic Development, Meade. Breakout Session
- Meade County News, Meade. Breakout Session
, Project Central, Kansas City. Breakout Session.- ThinkOut Strategic Solutions, Jeanette Siemens, Pratt. Breakout Session.
- Stauth Memorial Museum, Montezuma. Breakout Session.
- The Smoke Hoss, Meade. Breakout Session.
- Triple K Firearms, Meade. Breakout Session.
- Wichita County Economic Development, Leoti. Breakout Session.
ATTENDEES
- Debbie Adcock, Council Grove/Morris Co. Chamber of Commerce, Council Grove
- Cathy Albert, Travel and Tourism, WaKeeney
- Abby Amick, Wabaunsee County Eco. Devo., Alma
- Tina Anderson, HCI, Galva
- Merry Bauman, Wyldewood Cellars, Peck
- Penny Bettles, Salina Downtown, Inc., Salina*
- Tom Bishop, Homestead Community Development, Holton
- Susan Bloom, Oakley Area Tourism, Oakley
- Tammy Britt, Cloud County Tourism, Concordia
- Gina Broeckelman, Beloit Area Chamber of Commerce, Beloit
- Jane Brophy, Chanute Area Chamber of Commerce and Office of Tourism, Chanute
- Cindy Brungardt, Chamber of Commerce, Medicine Lodge
- Simone Cahoj, Wichita Co. Economic Development, Leoti
- Judy Casey, super volunteer, McPherson
- Kate Catlin, Locust Star Publishing, Anthony
- Kim Clark, Kansas Sampler Foundation bookkeeper
- Mark Clark, Clark Construction Service, Hutchinson
- Shauna Clark, Walter B. Chrysler Boyhood Home & Museum, Ellis
- Lauren Clary, Kansas Farmers Union, McPherson
- Jason Cole, KS Small Business Development Center, Arkansas City
- Andy Contreras, Clay County Tourism, Clay Center
- Pam Crain, Convention & Visitors Bureau, Arkansas City
- Michael Crawford, Reflective Group, Baldwin City
- Kathie Crispin, Lincoln County Tourism, Lincoln*
- David Criswell, City of Wilson, Wilson
- Loralei Crum, Chamber of Commerce, Paola
- Susan Curtiss, Simple Haven Bed and Breakfast, Wilson
- J. Basil Dannebohm, Uniquely Basil, Meade
- Alyssa Davis, Convention & Visitors Bureau, Newton
- Tara Davis, Meade County Conservation District, Meade
- Janelle Dockendorf, Dickinson County, Abilene
- Cheyenne Erichsen, Jewell County Community Development, Courtland
- Lynda Fort, Grant County Tourism, Ulysses
- Shayla Grasser, Mutual Telephone Co., Little River
- Michael J. Fox, Seasons of the Fox Bed and Breakfast, Lindsborg*
- Lisa Goodheart, Jewell County Community Development Assoc., Glen Elder
- Bill Goodwin, Meade
- Patrick Guilfoyle, city administrator, De Soto
- Cathy Haney, Clay County Tourism, Clay Center
- Heather Hartman, Mitchell Co. Economic Development, Beloit
- Susie Haver, Cloud County Tourism, Concordia
- Tammy Holub, Abilene CVB, Abilene
- Christy Hopkins, Greeley County Community Development, Tribune
- Tracie Horinek, Reflective Group, Baldwin City
- Roger Hrabe, Rooks County Economic Development, Stockton
- Teresa Huffman, Marion County Economic Development, Marion
- Phoebe Janzen, Florence*
- Brad Johnson, Reflective Group, Baldwin City
- Jeannie Johnson, Pottawatomie County Eco. Devo., Olsburg
- Wendy Jones, Tri-County Chamber of Commerce, Herington
- Gwen Knight, meeting planner, Lincoln
- Carol Kratzer, Ellsworth-Kanopolis Area Chamber of Commerce, Ellsworth
- Janet Kuhn, Convention & Visitors Bureau, Hays
- WenDee LaPlant, Kansas Sampler Foundation
- Twila L'Ecuyer, CURE Group, Morrowville
- Kim Legleiter, Stauth Memorial Museum, Montezuma
- Jo Lerew, Convention & Visitors Bureau, Oberlin
- Lois Lervold, Neighborhood Initiatives, Concordia
- Marlene Lindahl, Enterprise
- Christopher Lobmeyer, The Family Bookhouse, Garden City
- Holly Lofton, Convention & Visitors Bureau, Lindsborg
- Eric Lundstrom, The Swedish Crown Restaurant, Lindsborg
- Luke Mahin, Republic County Economic Development, Belleville
- Christopher McCord, Ellinwood
- Janet McRae, Miami County, Paola
- Cynthia Mines, Wichita Times/Travel Kansas, Wichita
- Jennifer Montgomery, Elk County Economic Development, Howard
- Gloria Moore, Washington County Tourism
- Casey Morford, Reflective Group, Baldwin City
- Joan Nech, Smith Center Chamber/Eco Dev., Smith Center
- Becky Nickel, Prairie Harvest Market & Deli, Newton
- Kent Overaker, Augusta Chamber of Commerce, Augusta
- Dena Patee, Ellis Alliance, Ellis
- Sheila Paxson, Glen Elder
- Kelli Penner, Ellinwood
- Marci Penner, Kansas Sampler Foundation
- Abner Perney, Abner's Autos, Salina
- Fred Peterson, city clerk, Marquette
- Carlota Ponds, Chamber of Commerce, Hesston
- Donna Price, Sherman Co. Convention & Visitors Bureau, Goodland
- Glenda Purkis, Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, Abilene
- Kay Quinn, Salina Arts & Humanities, Salina*
- Becky Regier, HCI, Galva
- Pam Riesen, Chamber of Commerce, Hillsboro
- Kathy Richardson, Small World Gallery, Lindsborg
- Murl Riedel, Kansas Humanities Council, Topeka
- Roger Ringer, Bunkhouse at Wildfire Ranch B&B, Medicine Lodge
- Julie Roller, Pottawatomie County Economic Development, Wamego
- Eric Ryker, SCTelcom, Medicine Lodge
- Sue Schlegel, Seasons of the Fox Bed-and-Breakfast, Lindsborg*
- Carla Shearer, HCI, Galva
- Jeanette Siemens, Public Square, Inc., Pratt
- Martha Slater Farrell, First Generation Video, Wichita
- Sonia Smith, Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area, Lawrence
- Sue Smith, Emma Chase Cafe, Cottonwood Falls
- Steve Snook, Yell Leader for Local, Hutchinson
- Liz Sosa, PowerUp Liaison & Epitome Enterprises, Garden City
- Vickee Spicer, Rolling Hills Zoo, Salina
- Andrea Springer, Springer Coaching & Consulting, Hutchinson
- Brenda Staggenborg, Marysville Chamber of Commerce, Marysville
- Shana Stepanek, Country Haven Inn, Hillsboro
- Lonnie Stieben, Southern Kansas Telephone, Clearwater
- Penny Stras, Lincoln Area Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln
- Patsy Terrell, Hutchinson
- Jerry Thomas, Jerry Thomas Gallery & Collection, Scott City
- Leilani Thomas, Convention & Visitors Bureau, Colby
- Lou Ann Thomas, freelance writer, Belvue
- Bob Topping, Northeast Kansas Tourism Connection, Lawrence
- DeLeah Townsend, Heartland Farm, Pawnee Rock*
- Fran Trost, Picture This, Concordia
- Josh Urie, Lakin
- Kate Van Cantfort, Red Fence Farm, Hutchinson
- Janet Wade, Convention & Visitors Bureau, Herington
- Amanda Wahlmeier, National Orphan Train Complex, Concordia
- Tina Walker, El Quartelejo Museum/Jerry Thomas Gallery, Scott City
- Ann Walter, Waterville
- Sr. Terry Wasinger, Heartland Farm, Pawnee Rock*
- Elaine Webb, Southern Kansas Telephone, Clearwater
- Sarah Werner, Winfield Convention & Tourism, Winfield
- Susan Wettstein, City of Garnett, Garnett
- Robert Wilson, K-State Research and Extension, Manhattan
- Shari Wilson, Project Central, Kansas City
- Steve Woolf, USD 112 Central Plains, Holyrood
SILENT AUCTION
Hemslojd/GlassDecorators.com: A set of four custom etched ale glasses. Value just under $100 (including set fee for custom etch).
IBISwoman at Small World Gallery: Certificate for personalized jewelry design made with you and for you by Power Up Briana Zimmerling of IBISwoman at Small World Gallery in Lindsborg. The winner gets a tour of the vast IBISwoman collection of antique, vintage and contemporary beads and findings, as well as $100 retail value in jewelry that Briana will design and make to your specifications on the spot at the IBISwoman worktable. May be given as a gift or used personally. No expiration.
Lee Becker: 4"x6" linoleum cut, oil-based inks and watercolor on archival paper, "Hearts" signed and numbered 1 of 1 by Lindsborg artist Lee Becker and donated by her. Retail value $40.
Liz Sosa and Inkt Graphics: Gift Certificate for a 4'x8' banner (retail value for a customized full-color banner: $224) from Inkt Graphics.
Gloria Moore: Metal Sunflower Garden Stake, plus sunflower plate with easel.
It's a mystery: An Easter Egg made by a Bunny.
Patsy Terrell: One hour phone consultation about how to use social media for your community or organization.
Basil Dannebohm: Basil's Blend by Indian Peak Vineyards, a superb Cabernet, aged in oak for 33 months, boasting firm tannins, massive fruit and berry flavors, a pinch of tobacco and earth and a toasty oak finish.
Teresa Huffman: A brass rod in the shape of Kansas and has the words "Kansas" welded at the top, with a piece of wheat, a windmill and a sunflower (all out of brass) made by Trace of Copper.
Tom Bishop: Remington collectible "Bullet" knife
Kim Legleiter: Floral arrangement.
First Generation Video: First Generation Video will donate $1,000 worth of professional video production services, which may be used for location shooting or video editing.
Raymer Society for the Arts: A box of Raymer Society "gift box", including a Lester Raymer book, Christmas Toys, a dvd and coloring book and a small poster.
Wyldewood Cellars: Private wine tasting for six. Mulvane location only.
Lidia Hook-Gray: Three, Lidia-made, metal Kansas cone flowers
Inge Center: Two premium seat tickets to all of our events at the William Inge Theater Festival on Saturday May 4th, including workshops, "Inge About Town", which is excerpts from William Inge's plays performed at locations throughout Independence, and "Farther off from Heaven," a tribute to William Inge's life, work, and legacy.
Phone: 620-585-2374