Who's on First OR Rural Rules

By Roger Shelley, Organizational Consultant with the Rural Institute

Kevan, Deb, Milt, Bernie, Rog, Lori, Troy, Barb, Herb, Brian, Pam, Susan, Lew—hey, can't tell the players without a scorecard? Employer, VR counselor, student, business owner. Match the names with the labels above. Still can't tell who's who? Want to see the difference? Sorry, no such luck. Sounds like Abbott and Costello's routine "Who's on first...?" I'm afraid we're all on second and just trying to get home. Home is, after all, where it all began, and home is where, in the end, it will end.
Systems change. Organizational conversion. Employment initiative. Natural supports. Scarce funding. Institutional depopulation. People wonder just what the heck I'm talking about! They really don't care about technical terms.

"When are you gettin' me a job?"
" I really don't want to be a volunteer!"
" I'm really looking for a good worker."
"Now we're getting somewhere!"

Rural Rule #1
We're all in this together.
Good times, bad times, at all times.

We're all just trying to make the best of it. That's why we're volunteering for civic positions, planning boards, city councils, hospital boards, and giving money to the boys' and girls' clubs, fellow citizens who need support, and the local petting zoo. We start businesses to bring money into our community from the outside. We all know that it only circulates through the town a few times before leaving to buy goods and services from the cities. Economic development for most of us is figuring out how to get folks from somewhere else (preferably a metropolitan area) to leave a few dollars in our community's coffers before they go home. The differences in people begin to fade when Rule # 1 is understood. All people who are members of this rather exclusive group contribute to everyone else. Got an idea for bringing in money? Have at it! Most people don't care what your IQ is. What they want to know is do you care about them, do you care about the town, what can you do to make life better. Do you do what you say you're going to do?
This leads us to rule #2.

Rural Rule #2
Always do what you
say you're going to do.

Your life and the lives of your fellow community members depends on it. In the intricate collaboration of people in rural communities, in the relationships that nourish them, trust and caring are prized commodities. Building trust and exhibiting caring hinge on following through with what you start. Your contribution in a small town is not judged by what you say, but what you DO. Don't think people are watching? Just wait! You are what you do! Not where you're from or where you were educated or what your beliefs are, but good old rubber to the road stuff.

By the way, how are you going to make life better for everybody? Talk's pretty cheap. Doing something about the quality of life for everyone in town—now that's something that I can get into! Working seven days a week? Ten to twelve hours per day? Let me at it! It's possible that nothing less will do. Many people have two jobs—some three or even four. Their contribution is apparent. How many jobs are you willing to take on? How much are you willing to DO? The opportunities are waiting. Making a difference—not being different—is what's important.
Which leads us to Rule #3.

Rural Rule #3
Everybody is different. It's how you make a difference that counts.

In rural communities, differences between people are obvious. In fact, differences are so obvious that they become non-existent. Your individuality defines you. It's a given.
Now, how are you going to use it? What can you contribute that no one else can? Now we're beginning to get to the heart of the matter. It's why you don't need the scorecard to figure out who's who. Anyone could be anything at anytime. Anyone can become an employer, a civic leader, a role model, an educator, a prized employee. The sense of home and belonging, your contribution to the community through your presence and effort is what counts. Labels fall by the wayside when seen in the light of contribution.

Creating a Passionate Steward Culture for Supported Employment in Texas

Thirty-five people came together for four days to design the Texas Steward model. The idea of stewardship originated from the staff of Imagine Enterprises, supported by a grant from Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities. The original intent was to bring together people who have made meaningful contributions and to utilize their talents and experience to expand supported employment efforts. The Stewards are professionals and consumers who have daily contact with supported employment activities. They are charged with helping other providers and consumers achieve greater community employment outcomes through mentoring, technical assistance, marketing, and personal or systems advocacy.
The people who represent the Texas Stewards collaboratively developed their principles and overall goals, taking personal responsibility without taking any salary for their efforts. The right combination of lectures on best practices from nationally respected consultants (Dale DiLeo, Cary Griffin, Howard Green, Al Condeluci, & Katherine Carol) and passionate declarations and reflections by stewards, helped establish the mission and build a common foundation. The mission is to increase local community capacity by sharing personal experience and success in expanding or improving community employment. Stewards' local level success will be measured by the increase of people working and participating in inclusive community activities.

For more information on the Texas Stewards, call Ernesto Sanchez: (281) 405-9604 or email esanc76691@aol.com Debby Murray (512) 835-7492 or email Murray@ kdi.com or Norine Jaloway (282) 474-4778 or email Njaloway@eden.com