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| More voices for rural America |
Carsey Institute–University of New Hampshire
Center for Rural Strategies
CFED
First Nations Development Institute
The Ford Foundation
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
NALEO Educational Fund
National Conference of State Legislatures
National Rural Funders Collaborative
National Rural Health Association
Rural Policy Research Institute
Stand Up for Rural America
W.K. Kellogg Foundation. |
More than 300 of the nation's rural leaders gathered in June at the first annual National Rural Assembly near Washington D.C. Participants with the Rural People, Rural Policy initiative joined this pioneering convening, which was the first of several such efforts that will continue to strengthen and organize rural interests as they work toward developing national rural policies.
The ambitious agenda was rich in content and opportunities for participants to learn and act on the shared mission of creating an agenda for change in rural America. The W. K. Kellogg Foundation and the Ford Foundation sponsored the Assembly, along with more than 100 supporting organizations.
The three-day event, held at the Westfield 's Marriot Washington Dulles Hotel in Chantilly, Virginia, included:
- A 21st Century Town Meeting, facilitated by the innovative computer technology of AmericaSpeaks. The meeting allowed the 300 participants to discuss issues in small groups, share their opinions with the entire meeting, and see their views reflected in themes and instantaneous polling. Participants ranked strategies and policies and walked out of the meeting with a preliminary blueprint for action.
- A Congressional summit, in which rural community members and policy analysts presented information on technology, healthcare, economic and community development, and other rural policy. The summit was arranged by U.S. Rep. Rosa Delauro of Connecticut, chairman of the House Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittee. (See related story)
- Presentation of Rural Heroes Awards, which honored six individuals for their long-time dedication, commitment and contribution to rural America. Recipients were William “Bill” Bynum, founder of the nonprofit Enterprise Corporation of the Delta for his work in investment and entrepreneurship; Forrest W. Calico, M.D., former director of the Appalachian Regional Health Corporation and member of the federal Office of Rural Health Policy for his work in health; Elouise C. Cobell, plaintiff and chief spokesperson for a lawsuit to recover billions of dollars in federal trust payments to Native Americans for her work as an advocate; Sharon B. King, president of the F.B. Heron Foundation for her work in rural philanthropy; Al Smith, journalist and a founder of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues for his work in journalism; and U. S. Senator Max Baucus from Montana for his work in government.
- Presentation of new research on opinion and attitudes of rural Americans. The Carsey Institute-University of New Hampshire presented findings from a survey of 6,500 rural Americans living in six regions, representing a wide variety of circumstances, from economic boom to decline.
- An analysis of opinions among rural voters, based on the Rural Tracker Poll, conducted by Anna Greenberg of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner and Bill Greener of Greener & Hook. The poll indicates rural voters could play a big roll in the 2008 election.
- A “real time” video meeting with presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. A satellite feed allowed participants to ask the candidate about her views and plans for rural America and share their ideas and concerns. Candidates John Edwards and Congressman Dennis Kucinich also sent stand-alone videos in which they addressed the gathering.
- A lively and entertaining panel discussion by journalists Bob Edwards (XM Radio), Ray Suarez (PBS' NewsHour), Bill Bishop (www.dailyyonder.com), and Susan Milligan (Boston Globe), who discussed the significance of the rural vote in the 2008 presidential election.
The ending “call outs'' from the group included one succinct message, “Fight for rural America!”
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