The University of Minnesota Extension Center for Community Vitality has developed the Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Project, a community readiness assessment and guided program addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion in rural communities. The purpose of the Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Project is to provide a platform for working with rural Minnesota communities to connect, train, and equip community stakeholders to lead local welcoming efforts in their hometowns, ensuring all voices are heard.

In early 2023, the City of Fergus Falls, with the support of the Human Rights Commission, received a $10,000 grant from Otter Tail Lakes Country Association to embark on a Welcoming Communities Assessment and Plan.  A steering committee and learning cohort will work through the program and assessment throughout 2023 and into 2024.  The eight-month program requires participation from seven sectors of the community: schools, health care, law enforcement, business, local government, nonprofit organizations, and religious organizations. 

 For program questions, please contact City of Fergus Falls Community Development Manager Klara Beck or City of Fergus Falls Communications Manager Jean Bowman.

The Steering Committee oversees and guides the effective implementation of the Learning Cohort and the Welcoming and Inclusive Communities assessment. The Fergus Falls Steering Committee is made up of 18 members (including all members of the Fergus Falls Human Rights Commission) with a variety of backgrounds and interests. The members:

• Engage in team meetings over a period of 6-9 months to guide the process
• Identify and recruit participants to join the Learning Cohort and to complete the community assessment
• Ensure diverse representation of community across demographics, identities, and sectors
• Fill necessary roles & responsibilities required to implement the Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Plan (WICP).

Steering Committee members include: Abby Newman, Ali Haugerud, Amy Beckman, Amy Mayo, Carrie Brimhall, Desta Hunt, Ellen Eastby, Gail Hedstrom, Jeff Drake, Jonathan Judd, Katie Bressler, Krystyne Frandson, Mary Weaver, Mike Trudeau, Nancy South, Nancy XiaoRong Valentine, Donald Mayo, Shawn Donais and staff members Klara Beck and Jean Bowman. 

Members of the Steering Committee show their work (from left: Amy, Desta, Jean, Krystyne, Mary, Abby, Shawn).

The goal of the learning cohort is to work collaboratively with community residents across the sectors of health care, education, law enforcement, local government, industry, non-profit, and religious organizations to engage in learning, share resources, and develop action plans to support inclusion efforts. Learning cohort members are invited to attend six sessions led by U of M Extension educators where they will engage in hands-on learning activities with stakeholders, subject matter experts, and community members. Potential themes include: Leadership for equity and inclusion, cultural agility, small town economics, community engagement/dynamics, stewardship, and creating a welcoming community. The final goal is to create a community action plan that builds on assessment findings and community feedback and provides opportunities for greater unity and belonging. Each session is scheduled to be approximately two hours long and will be held on the following dates between September 2023 and April 2024: 

• Sept 12, 6-8 PM (Fergus Falls Public Library)
• Oct 10, 6-8 PM (Community Education Office)
• December 19, 6-8 PM (Zoom)
• January 9, 6-8 PM (Zoom)
• February 13, 6-8 PM (Community Education Office)
• March 19, 6-8 PM 
• April 9, 6-8 PM 

The Welcoming & Inclusive Community Assessment was completed December 10, 2023. Findings were shared with the community at a public meeting January 9, 2024. The results presentation from the University of Minnesota can be found HERE.

The next step is for the Learning Cohort to review and discuss these findings in person. All are welcome on February 13 from 6-8 p.m. at the Fergus Falls Community Education Community Room. Now that we have community input, we'll begin working on an action plan, followed by implementation in the spring. 

Thank you to all who participated. Fergus Falls was commended on the number of survey responses we received (483), more than any community to date!