People Power: June 2024 UCP Meeting Recap

At our June board meeting, we saw again how much this community runs on people stepping up, sharing skills, and pushing good ideas forward. Here’s what’s happening across Pine Valley thanks to the folks behind each project.

New Leadership and Active Committees

The newly formed PV2050 Steering Committee is already at work. Rachel Cairns, Mallory Rex, Zella Sly, Linda McEwan, Julie Strommer, and Cindy Thayer are bringing energy and direction to the future of our valley. Pam Conley will continue as UCP’s liaison, and Debi Lorence has stepped up as the contract Community Builder. The group’s meeting on June 15 will solidify leadership and plans. We’re especially glad to see plans to involve students. That’s how we grow future community leaders.

Fire Safety Through Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Firewise continues to focus on safety with action. Thanks to Betsy and Rob Crawford and Eileen Monti for hosting and participating in the June 8 workshop and fuels reduction work. We’re also grateful for the contractor working this month on homes of single women and at the fairgrounds. A cleanup day is scheduled for October, and we’re actively recruiting properties for fall Firewise work.

Main Street in Bloom

The Main Street committee is keeping our town welcoming and beautiful. This summer’s flower baskets are already up, and plans are underway to refresh the Flagpole Flower Box project. It’s small touches like these, kept alive by consistent care, that make a town feel like home.

Looking Up: Dark Sky Progress

Rachel Cairns has submitted the application for Dark Sky Community status, with support from Liz McLellan, Margaret Durner, Celinda Miller, Pam Conley, and Kim Jones. A community celebration is planned for August 3 alongside Main Street activities. The team is also working on a city lighting ordinance modeled after Antelope, Oregon. Residents are encouraged to report problematic streetlights to Idaho Power. Idaho Power will provide free shielding installation on any light seeping into your windows at night. Just ask them. This is local effort meeting our long-term vision to keep Halfway dark.

Supporting Local Youth

Debi Lorence has again recruited a group of local teens for the six-week Mentor Match Teen Entrepreneur program, running July through August. This program continues to give students valuable experience and mentorship. Thanks to everyone investing in these young people.

Gratitude for Dedicated Work

Jenn Berg is working on updating QuickBooks and keeping our financial house in order.

Amari Fauna represented UCP at the City of Halfway’s strategic planning meeting facilitated by RDI.

Susy Lacer is drafting a grant proposal for a new fire truck.

Pam Conley proposed thoughtful uses of our OCF grant funds, all approved unanimously: rent support for our project office, funding for Dark Sky outreach, and support for the Mentor Match program.

In Every Project, People First

Behind each grant, committee, or event is someone showing up, giving time, sharing expertise, or championing a cause. Whether it’s office work, flower baskets, fire prevention, or mentoring youth, none of it happens without individuals making it happen.

What’s Next?

We’re preparing for our Annual General Meeting in July or August. We’ll review our budget and elect new board members. We also need two new members on the board. If you’re thinking about joining, now’s the time.

Final Thanks

Thanks to Pam Conley for her leadership. The group even paused during Round Table to check that Pam’s not taking on too much—because caring about each other is part of how we get things done.

Got a Community Project Idea? We’re Here to Help!

Looking at everything we accomplished together this year, we’re reminded that every successful project started with someone who had an idea and wasn’t sure where to begin. If you’ve been thinking about a project that could benefit Pine Valley – whether it’s big or small – UCP is here to help you figure out the next steps.

We Can Help With:

**Fiscal agency or sponsorship** for community projects that align with our mission – this means we can handle the money management and paperwork while you focus on making your project happen.
Small grants to get projects started – we’ve funded everything from the $500 Chautauqua Music Festival to the $5,000 MainStreet Stage project. Every idea deserves a chance!

Project development support – help turning your idea into a plan that works, finding the right people to work with, and figuring out what resources you’ll need.

Training and workshop access – connecting you with the skills and knowledge that make projects successful.

Networking within our community – we know who’s doing what in Pine Valley and can help connect you with people who share your interests or have complementary skills.

How to Get Started:

The easiest way is to come to one of our monthly UCP meetings and share your idea during our Open Discussion time. This is when community members bring projects, ideas, needs, or plans to the group. Don’t worry about having everything figured out – we’re here to help you work through the details!
You can also join the conversation on our Facebook page to get your idea out there and maybe find people willing to roll up their sleeves and help make it happen.

Remember: This list isn’t exhaustive. If you don’t see exactly what your project needs, please get in touch anyway. We may be able to point you in the right direction or help you find the resources you need.

From Ideas to Reality:

Some of our most successful projects – like the Village Fund, Pine Valley Firewise, and Pine Valley 2050 – started as conversations at UCP meetings. Someone said “What if we could…” and the community said “Let’s figure out how!”
Whether your project needs $250 or $2,000, so long as it fits within our mission we want to hear about it. Pine Valley grows stronger when community members step up with ideas that make this place even better.

OUR MISSION

United Community Partners facilitates access to organizational assistance for citizen-led initiatives which stimulate economic activity, foster goodwill and fellowship, and enhance Pine Valley and Panhandle communities as rural places to live and work.

Questions? Contact any board member. We’re excited to hear what you’re thinking about!