[OMS_MANAGERS] RARE Program - Call for Applications!

Thu Jan 22 08:20:56 PST 2015

Titus,

Thanks for the notification.  I think we will do better this year with
financing.  We are working the problem early and are optimistic about the
source (the Urban Renewal District).

We have written a 22-page Business Plan for the RARE position which I will
spare you at this stage.  However, below my signature line is the Executive
Summary of the Plan.  Also, below that is our Timeline as we see it now
based on last year's experience.  If you would have a quick look at these
two and offer corrections we'd really be grateful.  You will see that
elements of our Timeline are rather imprecise due to limited information.

As this Plan is staffed in the community, there will likely be changes but
I don't think they will be large.

I believe we are on track for a good application this year.  People are
starting to see the need.

Thanks!

Brian
***********************

*EXECUTIVE SUMMARY*

This Business Plan proposes a model for the participation of the community
of Dallas in the RARE Program beginning with the arrival of our participant
in September 2015.

The Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) Program is an
AmeriCorps program that places graduate level individuals into communities
to assist them in building their economic and cultural strength.  A
principal mission of these individuals is to serve in communities for a
period of 11 months enhancing local efforts to improve the economy in rural
Oregon.  This program has proven to be exceptionally effective over the
years in many cities similar to Dallas throughout the state.

The development and enhancement of the historic commercial core of downtown
Dallas would profit greatly by the work of a RARE person.  In pursuit of
this aim we propose that the Dallas Downtown Association (DDA) and the
Dallas Urban Renewal District (URD) partner up to take advantage of this
opportunity in the year 2015.

There are three major elements to fostering a successful RARE Program in
Dallas, all of which will need refinement as this Plan is staffed and
progresses to its final form.

1.  *Sponsorship and supervision*.  This Plan calls for some form of dual
sponsorship with the lead being with the DDA and support from the URD in
the form of its Advisory Committee.  Regardless of the mechanism, in the
final Plan, it is important that the RARE participant be provided with one
single supervisor to whom they report.

2.  *Funding*.  The participation of Dallas requires that the community
contribute $22,000 to the sponsorship of the program (which is met with
$27,000 in support from other agencies such as the Ford Family Foundation).
Given the nascent and fragile nature of the DDA, significant funding is not
practical from that organization.  Perhaps the most common source of
funding for RARE missions like ours throughout the state of Oregon is the
local Urban Renewal District in the subject cities. In our case, that
appears to be the most feasible source of funding as well and that is what
this Plan recommends.

3.  *Office space*.   Research of three options will be required.   All of
these options come without any funding.

            a.  A primary option is to improve the Carnegie Building to set
up viable office space there.  However, this is quite difficult because of
the many problems with the building and is not likely feasible in this
cycle.

            b.  Second would be to find office space in City Hall.

            c.  Third would be to find office space in a downtown building.

There are 10 work projects forecast for the RARE Participant in our
community during his/her year with us:

Project #1*: *  Support the Dallas Downtown Association (DDA)

Project #2:  Build DDA Leadership Skills

Project #3:  Build DDA Membership

Project #4:  Develop a Marketing and Communications Program for the DDA

Project #5:  Create DDA Funding Opportunities Beyond Member Dues

Project #6:  Ensure the Ongoing Existence of the DDA

Project #7:  Work with the City of Dallas on the Comprehensive Plan

Project #8:  Improve the Community’s Volunteer Management Program

Project #9:  Improve the Historic Buildings

Project #10:  Infuse Development with a Sense of History

This Draft Plan has been staffed to the primary stakeholders in late 2014
and early 2015.  When there is general agreement as to content, the Plan
will be finalized and distributed for adoption by the relevant parties IAW
the timeline.

*TIME **LINE*

*o/a March 2015* – The DDA receives 501(c)3 status

*April 17, 2015* – Pre-Application submission due to the RARE Program
office (format provided by RARE office)

[[
http://csc.uoregon.edu/rare/sites/csc.uoregon.edu.rare/files/downloads/2015/community_pre_app_15-16.doc
]]

*o/a Mid-May??? 2015* – Provisional acceptance into the program received
from the RARE Program office.  This comes with the requirement to submit
the full application (see below)

*June 1, 2015* – Community Full Applications due in Word format due to RARE
Program office (e-mail format preferred) (format provided by RARE office)

*o/a **June 20, 2015* –  Original Section 1 of Application form with
signature due in to RARE Program office

*o/a **June 30, 2015* - Funding source(s) must be confirmed (RARE Program
requirement)

*o/a First 10 days in July 2015* – Word received from RARE Program office
of acceptance/denial of our application.

*July 13-17, 2015* – If accepted, Dallas will interview candidates for the
position.

*September 14, 2015* – RARE Participant arrives in Dallas for an 11-month
tour of duty.

*August 2016* – Program is complete

On Wed, Jan 21, 2015 at 2:36 PM, Titus Tomlinson <titust at uoregon.edu> wrote:

>   Good Afternoon!
>
> Hard to believe that recruitment time is already ramping for the Resource
> Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) Program.  Those working in the
> Main Street arena know that word of mouth is one of the best methods of
> recruitment.  As such, we hope you will help us spread the good word about
> the RARE Program.  This year alone, we have participants working with the
> City of Reedsport, St Helens Economic Development Corporation, City of
> Sandy, City of Canby and La Grande Main Street Downtown on an array of
> amazing Main Street related endeavors.  Whether organizing a First Friday
> Art Walk, coordinating La Grande’s first Beer Festival, or taking the lead
> on an organizational strategic planning process…  our members are making a
> difference in communities across the State of Oregon!
>
> Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions about the RARE
> Program and/or our application process.  More information can be found in
> the following announcement and attached flyer.  Thanks in advance for
> sharing this information with organizations, Main Street-related or not,
> that could use our assistance!
>
> *Do you have community building, main street, downtown development or
> planning projects that you do not have resources to complete?*
>
>
>
> *If so… *
>
> *The Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) Program might be
> your solution**!*
>
> The mission of the RARE Program is to increase the capacity of rural
> communities to improve their economic, social, and environmental
> conditions, through the assistance of trained graduate-level participants,
> from across the US.  These RARE participants live in and serve the
> communities for 11 months.  RARE participants assist in the development and
> implementation of projects focused on increasing the vitality of the
> communities and organizations we serve.  The RARE Program is now in its
> 21st year and has placed more than 450 volunteers and served every Oregon
> County.
>
> For more information about the RARE Program, including the benefits and
> the costs of the program, please visit our website at
> http://csc.uoregon.edu/rare/.  Pre-applications (due April 17, 2015) are
> available online as well.  If you have any questions, please contact us
> via email at: rare at uoregon.edu or telephone at: 541.346.2879.
>
> Regards,
>
> Titus Tomlinson
>
> Program Coordinator
>
> Community Service Center | Resource Assistance for Rural Environments
>
> http://csc.uoregon.edu | http://csc.uoregon.edu/rare/
>
> T | 541-346-2879
>
>
>
> The Community Service Center (CSC) links the energy, expertise and
> innovation of the University of Oregon with the planning and public policy
> needs of Oregon communities.
>
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