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What would you be doing this weekend, if the world hadn’t fallen apart?

By Paula Jensen

Paula Jensen

Guest post by Paula Jensen I was on my second video conference of the day earlier last week and a peer in the meeting said, “Time-out! I need to ask everyone a question.” We all agreed, and he said, “What would you be doing this weekend, if the world hadn’t fallen apart?” Some people answered […]

April 12, 2020 Filed Under: community, planning, rural Tagged With: #Iamrural, guest post

Gathering the Doers

By Paula Jensen

Paula Jensen

The first vision board presented by the design:SD team to the community of Webster, South Dakota, on Sept. 27, 2014, stated the following phrase in bold lettering:  GATHERING THE DOERS.  There were approximately 50 people in the room that day and surprisingly none of them got up and ran out in fear upon seeing the design:SD team’s […]

November 22, 2019 Filed Under: community, economic development, rural Tagged With: #Iamrural, doers, engaged, gather your crowd, guest post, idea friendly, Paula Jensen, rural, starting, take small steps

Why does nothing ever get done in this town!

By Paula Jensen

A diverse group receiving awards from a city council

  By Paula Jensen Having a passion for rural community development and leadership is what drives my personal and professional life. My personal vision statement reads, “I will be a clear voice for rural people and places by mobilizing and empowering rural changemakers to build vibrant communities.” It has taken me a number of years, a […]

October 12, 2019 Filed Under: community, rural Tagged With: #Iamrural, city council, government, leadership, local government, mayor, officials, Paula Jensen, rural

Wishing vs. Hoping your town will improve

By Paula Jensen

Paula Jensen

Is there a distinction between wishing and hoping? Wishing is feeling or expressing a strong desire for something that is not easily attainable. It’s like wishing to win the lottery but you don’t buy a ticket. Hoping is to look forward with desire and reasonable confidence that something can happen. You can hope that you win the […]

July 27, 2019 Filed Under: community, rural Tagged With: #Iamrural, future, hope, Paula Jensen, positivity, quiz, rural

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