KARL explores creating a future in Greensburg...

The Big Well.

The KARL experience is starting to wind down, and I'm a little lot sad about it. This has been a great experience for me and has taught me a lot about myself, my ability to adapt, and how I build relationships. I've learned to not sweat the small stuff, and that it is perfectly OK to not have control of a situation 100 percent of the time.(I'm growing!)

Our 10th seminar sent us to Greensburg. If you aren't familiar with this small community, or it's story, you need to go check it out. This particular seminar had a human interest aspect to it that we really hadn't experienced before, and I think some of the stories hit home for those of us who do live or come from very small, rural communities. It made me evaluate a few things, and my favorite parts of the trip were the crisis management aspects, and how they've built a plan for the future based off the structure flaws in their experience.

Mayor Dixon tells the compelling story of his hometown.

We spent time with Mayor, Bob Dixon. Bob told the town's story of rebuilding, and told us his own story of growth and discovery. He talked about living in a fifth wheel trailer, and having to make huge decisions in a very emotional state, and also how bringing everyone to the table allowed growth and progress. We took a visit to some of the progress that has been made in this small town, including the Big Well Museum, the new school, and the green silo home. 

We spent a majority of our second day focusing on action in communities with Public Square, discussed water issues with Brownie Wilson, had an impromptu question and answer session with Stacy Barnes, tourism director of Greensburg, and Mary Sweet, Kiowa County Memorial Hospital administrator, and wrapped up the day with a discussion on the transfer of wealth by Sandy Fruit and Betty Johnson.

One of the highlights was the discussion of Public Square that looks at a community and gathers stakeholders from the service sector, business sector, education sector, and government sector. Public Square helps communities address what needs to be addressed by getting the conversation started with all interested parties. However, it isn't as simple as calling a representative to get started. It takes due diligence from a community to determine readiness, because nothing will move forward without total buy-in and commitment.

Public Square's process starts with the facilitation of a conversation. It's a process, not a program. Greensburg was a flagship case study for the Public Square process and how it works.

Touring the school.

This entire seminar we had a chance to get the ins and outs of a case study on community leadership, communication, management, and crisis management. The transparency and candid conversational discussion was a highlight of the trip and provided a real-life look at rural living and challenges.

We had a chance to spend some money in Greensburg. Some of us shopped at a local retailer, but most of us headed downtown to the old style soda fountain. Yes. That means ice cream and soda made from pumping syrup - not opening a can. 

Overall this was a pretty powerful seminar for some of us, especially those of us from the tiny towns scattering our great state. What would you do if your community was wiped off the map, would you rebuild? It's a question the folks of Greensburg had to ask themselves eight years ago. 

For 850 residents there was no question. 

It was home.