Missouri Rural Development Partners (MRDP)
Missouri Rural Foundation
2005 Annual Report
a. Missouri Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative (REI) Project
MRDP, in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, introduced a self-assessment guidebook, entitled, “Growing Entrepreneurs from the Ground Up: A Community Based Approach to Growing Your Own Businesses.” The Federal Reserve Bank provided all graphic development and layout for the guidebook and the University of Missouri Community Policy Analysis Center (CPAC) assisted with final printing arrangements.
Five hundred copies of the guidebook were printed. Distribution of the guidebook began immediately with copies provided to the Federal Reserve, University of Missouri Extension, Missouri’s Community Action Agencies, Missouri’s regional planning commissions, and state and federal departments and agencies. Additionally, the Federal Reserve prepared and printed a promotional postcard announcing the availability of the guidebook and the opportunities for applying the assessment techniques with assistance from MU Extension. The guidebook is also available for review and purchase on the new MRDP.net web site (see below).
In April 2005, Vickie Rightmyre, MRDP Board member and principal author of the guidebook, and Dr. Tom Johnson, Director CPAC, presented the REI and guidebook at the “Striking the Right Notes on Entrepreneurship” conference in Memphis, Tennessee sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank system. Ms. Rightmyre also presented the REI and study results at an international conference on economic development in Scotland.
The MU Extension and Missouri Department of Economic Development have started additional efforts to promote entrepreneurial development in the state. MRDP is making the REI available to these partner organizations so it can be incorporated in these comprehensive initiatives.
b. Rural Education and Distance Learning Policy Development
The Telecommunications and Education Committee continues to meet on a regular monthly basis. The Committee members represent organizations, state agencies, not-for-profit initiatives, and other organizations that are stakeholders in rural Missouri in education, health services, economic development and quality of life. The Committee is working in collaboration with the Missouri Distance Learning Association (MoDLA) to develop recommended policies for consideration by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Higher Education that reflect the distance learning modalities of delivering course content by I-TV, asynchronous, and synchronous Internet as applied to high school and college credit and funding based on other than seat time.
In early Fall, the Committee presented a live demonstration of distance learning technologies to the Missouri House Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education. The demonstration incorporated actual classes taking place using distance learning and allowed for interaction by state legislators. Following this demonstration, Committee Chair Rep. Jane Cunningham requested that the Committee develop standards, guidelines and proposals for potential legislative and administrative actions to promote distance learning in the state.
To that end, the Committee formed a Distance Learning Task Force with the specific charge to develop a distance learning policy framework and proposed legislation and administrative actions for state consideration. The task force comprised distance learning providers, state agencies, and the complete spectrum of educational interests – from school superintendents, school boards and teacher associations. Meeting two days a month for six months, the task force issued their Interim Report for initial discussion and comment.
The Distance Learning Task Force Interim Report was publicly presented at the November 2006 annual rural education symposium at the State Capitol.
c. Rural Health and Human Services
The Chair of the Committee has developed a proposed work plan for gathering a diverse group of health care and social service partners to begin discussing the elevation of rural health issues to the overall focus of community development. The kick-off committee meeting was scheduled for this Fall but was postponed for early 2006.
d. Community Leadership Development
In partnership with the University of Missouri Organizational Leadership Programs (Harry S. Truman School of Public Affairs), the Chair of the Committee is strategizing on appropriate methods for better coordinating the availability and curriculum of community leadership programs in the state.
e. MRDP Web Site
MRDP entered the on-line world when the MRDP Board authorized development of a new web site. The URL is: www.MRDP.net . The web site provides a ready accessible forum for learning more about MRDP, the national partnership, and the specific initiatives underway for rural Missouri. The web site also provides a portal for purchasing the REI Guidebook in either printed version or compact disc.
Each specific initiative has an individual page with general information and specific committee member links for meeting schedules and targeted information sharing. A discussion board is also provided to encourage on-going dialogue outside the formal committee meeting structure.
f. Board member training
Vice-Chair John Bode and MRDP Planning Administrator Doug Hermes attended the National Rural Development Partnership Policy Consultation in March in Washington, DC.
g. Meeting MRDP’s Mission: Professional staffing
The MRDP agreement with the Missouri Association of Councils of Government (MACOG) to provide certain administrative and staffing assistance was extended through the end of 2005. MACOG is the state association representing Missouri’s 19 regional planning commissions and councils of government. This formal relationship permits staffing support for MRDP and solidifies the relationship with one of the key service providers in the state.
o O o