Ground Level Blog

Todd County continues work in the Healthy Community Partnership

Don Hickman from the Initiative Foundation led a follow-up meeting on Tuesday to last month's visioning session for Todd County.

"The visioning session was well done," he said of the June 8 session at the Browerville Community Center. "The food was good, the input was good, it was nice to see Amish representation and the Girl Scouts were charming."

Hickman distributed lists of assets, challenges and clusters of desired outcomes that were generated by the 100-plus people attending last month's session. On Tuesday a group of 13 women and one man attended the follow-up meeting at the Senior Center in Eagle Bend. The desired outcomes -- things people would like to happen Todd County -- have been grouped into these headings:

Economics that affect seniors quality of life.

Programs.

Collaborations and Partnerships.

Facilities.

Health-related.

Governmental issues.

Transportation.

Education and youth-related.

Housing.

Volunteers.

Diversity.

The next meeting, scheduled for July 27 at the Central Lakes College Agricultural Center in Staples, will work to further refine these categories.

The discussion turned to the need for ethnic diversity within the group. Though some frustrations over the potential for communication difficulties were expressed, Hickman emphasized the need to be inclusive. The low representation by men was also noted. Though women tend to out-live men, men are nevertheless subject to the issues of aging and need to be involved in the planning process. Hospital and health care representatives will also be encouraged to attend future meetings.

The goal is to determine priorities for Todd County residents to work on to improve the quality of life.

Topics of retaining or attracting young people to the area, fund-raising and buying local were also discussed.

The July 27 meeting, from 4-6 p.m., is open to anyone interested in attending.