Originally published on 10/11’s Pure Nebraska Program.
Members of affiliated funds from different parts of the state got an opportunity to share with each other in Overton recently.
The event was one of multiple sessions hosted by Nebraska Community Foundation. Attendees enjoyed a catered meal and networking opportunities.
One organizer said the meal was an intentional part of the gathering. “We share a meal together because communing with one another is about relationships,” said Elizabeth Troyer-Miller, a co-director of network learning and affiliated fund development coordinator for NCF. “We’re all about relationships. And building those relationships over food is a wonderful way to do it.”
The relationships are enhanced with ideas and information shared by NCF leaders. But there’s also real value in the networking aspect of the workshops. “It’s not so much about NCF providing a bunch of education,” Troyer-Miller said. “it’s about the opportunity for our affiliated funds to educate each other, share of their greatest learnings, where their roadblocks are, and help each other.”
Former NCF hometown intern Vickie Ference was on hand at the meeting. She shared her journey of building two local businesses in her hometown of Ord, and why it’s important to get young people involved in building hometowns. “We are talking about youth engagement,” Ference said. “It’s important to recognize how it’s not only important to talk with elementary or high school students, but to also talk with 20 and 30-year-olds who want to be in the community and want to get involved.”
Judy Brockmeier of Eustis attended the workshop and shared how the Eustis Area Community Foundation Fund is making great strides.
“Over the years, we have helped the school,” Brockmeier said. “Our biggest project was a few years ago, and that was building a wellness center. It was built without tax money and lots of fundraisers came with it.”
Makenzie Behrendt from Ravenna said the Ravenna Area Vision Fund is helping leave a legacy. She shared some of the fund’s achievements. “We’ve done some great things like a hike and bike trail, and giving and having a voice in different elements of our community,” Behrendt said. “Now, we really want to take that next step and make sure we are leaving a legacy so that future generations can continue to dream,” Behrendt said.
Those who came to the meeting got a chance to tour Overton and the surrounding area to see what the community has to offer as well. It was a chance to show off some of the area’s local assets. “So here in Overton, we got to see Little Eagles, which is a fairly innovative in-home daycare,” Troyer-Miller said. “It’s meeting the needs of the small town in a way that makes most sense to them. Then, we headed out north of town to see Creek’s Bend Family Farm. They are doing some very creative things with cut flowers and prepared food.”
Overton Area Community Fund member Bob Larson pointed out that the regional peer to peer learning workshops can be very enlightening for members of new affiliated funds. “It’s good to meet the new fund members that are coming,” Larson said. “I think they’re looking for some answers. I think we’re all trying to make Nebraska better and better our communities.”
Participants in the regional peer to peer learning say the workshops are well worth attending. “I think I’ve gained so much knowledge because we learn from each other,” Brockmeier said.
