Community Connections

University of Nebraska—Lincoln Extension Diane Vigna Nancy Eberle Connie Hancock Dennis Kahl Connie Reimers-Hild Carroll Welte Sandy Stockall

Nebraska Department of Education Gregg Christensen RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship Craig Schroeder Nebraska Human Resources Institute Lindsay Hastings Future Force Matt Hastings

Krieger Family Foundation Jim Krieger Nebraska Farm Bureau Keith Olson

Community Connections – Accomplishments 8 Listening Sessions – completed Sept Report – Listening to the Experts – October 2008 CC Team dominant themes and curriculum priorities meeting - October 31, 2008 Sub committee work - structuring the curriculum – December, 2008 CC structure, curriculum assignments – January 2009 CC website projected launch – April 2009

Community Connections - Structure Community Connections Tool Box Web SiteExperiential Community - Focused Curriculum - "Free Pizzas" UNL Extension Resources Outside Resources DescriptionThe web site should have a look that will appeal to adults who want to work with youth. Words to describe the website: intriguing, inspiring, encouraging, fun The experiential curriculum should be activity-based. It should have a "fun" quality about it, and should be do- able, and turn-key. It should not look too academic. Using the 4-H philosophy, communities will "Learn by Doing", so it should be experiential. Major Themes/Elements 1. Mentors, Mavens, Coaches 2. Outside Resources/Partners 3. Models/Case Studies/Templates 4. Socio/Psychology Attitude Change 5. Intergenerational/Encouraging Environment 6. Diverse Delivery Modes/Technology 7. Community Assessment 8. Marketing The tool box will contain Neb-Guides, other UNL extension developed publications relating to entrepreneurship and Community Development ie: Intergenerational Dialogue, Leadership Plenty, etc. The tool box will also consist of materials developed by other agencies and individuals that are supportive of entrepreneurship, especially in developing entrepreneurial spirited communities.

FREE PIZZAS A Curriculum and Resource Guide For Building Strong Entrepreneurial Communities

Chapter 1 How to get FREE PIZZAS Introduction to the idea

Chapter 2 Master Bakers Find the mavens, champions, coaches Power Clusters

Chapter 3 Recipe for Success Models, Templates, Case Studies

Chapter 4: Focus on the Ingredients Community Assessments Asset Mapping Entrepreneurs in the Community Demographics – Census and Economic Census $$ spent by community / child on k-12 education Historical review of the Community Community Survey (Values, Attitudes) Baseline information Evaluation Plan Long range vision based on assessment

Chapter 5 Pre Heat the Oven – Get it Really HOT! Light the Spark Find youth in your community who have what it takes to be entrepreneurs Fan the fire! Bring youth into this group. Get to know them and their ideas. Embrace their entrepreneurial spirits!

Chapter 6 Start with the Dough Finding Resources for Young Entrepreneurs

Chapter 7 The Perfect Sauce Changing Attitudes to Encourage Youth Intergenerational Change

Chapter 8 Customize it Tailoring ideas to your Community Intergenerational Dialogue

Chapter 9 Bake in a Hot Oven It all takes time Long Range Planning

Chapter 10 Cut into Slices Making things do-able

Chapter 11 Serve it Up! Marketing to the community Workshops PodCasts Website Blog

Chapter 12 FREE PIZZAS forever! Sustaining FREE PIZZAS in your community On-going program Resources and Tool Box

Back Page Diane C. Vigna, Ph.D. Department of Textiles, Clothing & Design University of Nebraska—Lincoln