The building and placing of this sign was a good project for our little community. It showed that we can reach out to others for help, and that they will help as long as we are working together as best we can already.
The sign created some great new partnerships for us. The main one was the Montana Department of Transportation that was very helpful in putting together the sign and placing it on a turnout just off the highway at Brockway. We also made a contact with a great sign maker that has been very helpful and willing to work with us with limited funds and by providing great input on what we needed to make this and our other sign project a success. The business is Sign of the Times from Glendive, MT.
The community, or at least a few of the leaders of the community, understand that it is not just money that is poverty. It is the lack of access to typical resources, like doctors, mental health, good roads, 24hr fuel stations or convienience stores. We understand that public policy can impact these types of items and issues. That we have to try to participate and provide input.
This project showed us that we can still come together as a community, decide to do something, and get it done. We try to insure the community will continue to participate by letting everyone know by email, newspaper and posters in the local restaurant and post office what is going on. We have also tried to increase the typical attendance of the community at the local Brockway Commercial Club meetings. The Commercial Club is a non-profit organization that is working to take the lead, like a chamber of of commerce.
We are encouraging everyone to help, to bring their kids, to call to get a ride and everything we can think of to be inclusive and make sure that money is not needed just their attendance.
Another good partnership that was started was with the Circle Montana Chamber of Commerce. They have placed a Brockway web page on their web site. They help us get the word out on what takes place in Brockway. This will help us sustain our activity and insure that others in our general area know that Brockway is working to improve and continue to be a part of the overall County.
We believe the study circles have renewed our feelings that community meetings are healthy and that everyone can participate. That we are not alone, that we matter and we can have a say. I believe we see leadership as a community issue. Feeling that we matter and can have impact gives more of a feeling of pride of ownership in the community and a belonging.
The process also has helped us by expanding our leadership base as we found that some individuals had strengths in areas that we needed. By them feeling comfortable (since they had the knowledge or skill) in taking charge with a particular area. Example: Calling on the Local State Legislative Representative to obtain their help to help determine who in the large Montana Department of Transportation we needed to talk to. This was another partnership that was recognized. The Brockway community does have an elected State Representative within it.
The meetings of the local Brockway Commercial Club are more of a study circle format with everyone feeling comfortable with speaking up. And, everyone encourages others to speak up.
This has helped us be more aware of the strengths of our community members. This also encourages the converstations and planning that takes place as everyone is asked if they know anything or anyone that might be of help for a given need or situation.
The Brockway community is energized and is feeling better about it self. This positive feeling will hopefully continue, we will work to try to keep it that way.
Brockway is now aware of the Great Northern Development Corporation that is to help businesses and individuals with business related technical assistance and some small grants and loan funds. We are also aware of other grant resources that are available to the community. These new found resources will be good partners for the future.
