Going into January, I had my New Year's resolutions like many of us, but reality is rarely considerate of our ambitions. Now, that does not mean we give up on those goals, as feasible as they may have seemed in December; instead, we adapt them to fit the situations and events that face us.
When I wrote my goals for 2023, I wrote them with the mindset that I should do this to be successful through my fellowship- a result of my perfectionism and competitive nature. But there is always a process, which can be long and arduous, to attain those goals. January showed me the need to understand that process is a series of baby steps. I had set the goals of "For 2023, I plan to continue to develop and establish my regional broadband action team for Bell, Clay, and Leslie, implement my Seniors4Seniors digital literacy program model, and finally install my Little Library literacy project in Clay County." I still consider all three feasible goals, but I was determined to get all three done in one month, which is not a sustainable timeline.
Being aware of your limitations is one thing, but transcending yourself and taking note of your organization's limitations is another. Red Bird Mission is an excellent nonprofit with a heart for the people in the region, but the volume of staff and funding significantly limit them. One staff member may be filling the role of three different jobs at a given time – so a staff member may not be able to help you with a project at the capacity you need.
When an organization is at max capacity, you outsource your needs to supporting organizations. An example of outsourcing would be fulfilling the need for a grant writer specializing in broadband issues. The Center for Rural Development and similar organizations can assist with finding contacts or providing assistance like the Just Transition Fund would assist with connectivity grants to distressed energy or former coal areas. Resources are always out there; you need to know where to look.
January provided a learning opportunity and a chance to ground my lofty expectations. But that does not mean failure, but rather a willingness to compromise for the project to succeed. The final result might not be the one you initially projected, but the product will be one that is more refined and customized to the situation or issue at hand. So this article is an encouragement to those going through the idea to implementation stage – you will constantly be adapting your concept, which shows true teachability and leadership.
The worst way to handle change is to resist it. Your idea might be great, but it will become useless or create more issues if it does not work for your intended audience. Being obstinate does not solve problems. You can see that everywhere, especially in rural areas, with the mindset of "this is the way things are always done" being a nail in the coffin of new, innovative ideas.
When an area becomes stagnant, there tends to be a recycling of the same harmful or outdated ideas, a cycle that needs to break. The first step to breaking the cycle is recognizing that old, traditional ideas do not equate to good ideas. The second step is removing the old- which is easier said than done. Changing the mindset of a town, county, or region requires time and constant guidance – so the best way to start is by slowly introducing ideas that mesh well with the old and do not radically change the old. The ultimate focus is creating sustainable, lasting change that can develop alongside its community.
Grasping the mindset of your community is crucial to understanding how to help it adapt and overcome the challenges that have plagued them for generations. Today, quick and easy solutions are popular, but the reality of the issue is more complex. One promoting change must consider the crucial roles social, cultural, ethnic, and economic variables play.
My goal for January was to work towards solutions that will last, with the aid of community input. The first Red Bird Region Broadband Action Team (BAT) meeting was on January 20th, which has allowed for a designated collaborative space for community stakeholders in Bell, Clay, and Leslie counties to focus a united effort toward local broadband issues. The first step is the hardest, so as we advance, this board will pursue solutions through grants, awareness, and community development. The ultimate goal is to start strong as I begin the second half of this Lead For America fellowship. To a strong finish!
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