Calling Welcoming Champions!
This coming September, Hello, Range! will be convening a group of regional volunteers to help us create and implement welcoming activities for folks who are new and returned to the Mesabi. For five weeks, these volunteers will meet at the Mesabi Station in Eveleth and work through hands-on action planning.
This initiative was created as follow-up to Hello, Range’s breakout session at last fall’s Equity Summit coordinated by Northspan and held at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center. Attendees of this session were tasked with brainstorming welcoming activities–from the small (welcoming a new neighbor and offering help) to the large (implementing incentive packages). Afterwards, many asked, “what can I do to help new folks feel welcome?”
Why community members?
In a recent Twin Cities Business housing article, outgoing president and CEO of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation Eric Jolly said, “I deeply believe: The most effective solutions come from within communities. When we listen and learn from people doing the work on the ground – small business owners, nonprofit leaders, readers like you – we not only find better ideas, we build trust and partnerships that make those ideas stick.”
The upcoming Hello, Range! action planning session will tap into this community wisdom. Thanks to a CTC Cares grant, participants will enjoy dinner at each meeting and a $25 Visa gift card for each meeting attended.
What are the details?
Participants will be asked to:
- Attend all five 6:00 PM meetings at the Mesabi Station (111 Station 44 Road) in Eveleth: September 9, 16, 23, 30 and October 7.
- Participate three short, quarterly, virtual check-ins after 10/7.
- Engage in POSITIVE problem solving!
- Implement an activity of their design.
What’s in it for me?
In return, participants will receive:
- The satisfaction of making the Iron Range a more welcoming place!
- Dinner at each meeting.
- One $25 Visa gift card at each meeting attended.
- One $25 Visa gift card after completing the three quarterly virtual check-ins.
Who can participate?
Due to limited funding, participation is limited to 25 attendees. To convene an effective team, we ask anyone interested to complete our simple interest form.
Interest forms will be reviewed and applicants notified by August 30. PLEASE NOTE: Transportation is NOT provided. Participants must have their own means of travel.
The Mesabi Iron Range is a remarkable place to live and work. We have easy access to the beauty of the outdoors without the traffic. All the amenities we need are within an hour drive. And hardworking, authentic people. We need new folks to help our businesses thrive, schools full, and tax base hardy. Please join us in our effort! Any questions can be directed to miriam@ironrange.org.