RD37 - Center for Rural Virginia 2007 Report to the General Assembly


Executive Summary:
Introduction: The Center’s 2006 annual report to the General Assembly identified the goals established by the Board of Trustees for our scope of work. The scope of work was followed, and as time for Virginia’s 2007 Rural Summit approached, six areas were narrowed to three areas of focus for the Rural Summit. The activity and approach that has evolved as we worked through 2007 to embrace new challenges has promoted substantial recognition for the Center. We are becoming known as the Leading Rural Advocate for Virginia.

Center for Rural Virginia - Defining Our Mission: To fulfill our mission of improving the quality of life in the Commonwealth’s rural areas, the Center serves as an advocate to bring together key players in rural development, and to enhance communication and promote partnerships between individuals and groups who desire more effective/efficient programs and policy to address rural needs.

Center Growth Activity and Strategic Planning: In an environment of change and rapid growth, effective rural planning is critical. Amid change, the need to listen to and support rural citizens remains constant. The Center Advocate and Executive Director, Glen C. Sink has visited rural communities across the Commonwealth, listening to views about the issues that affect people living and working in rural Virginia. While the quality of life for the majority is good, many remain who deal with disadvantage and poverty on a daily basis. A problem not always recognized and often not addressed. In view of this, the Center supports the needs of rural citizens by:

• Serving as a rural advocate
• Staff and board members communicate at all levels, (local, regional, state, and national), to promote partnerships that collaboratively address both issues and opportunities.
• Facilitating planning and promotion of entrepreneurial opportunities, access to capital and financial resources, education and workforce development

It is our belief that helping rural people sustain themselves economically will bring job opportunities that will allow them to live and work in their own rural communities. Our challenge: Communicating our rural plans through a collaborative approach to get buy-in from individuals, partner organizations, and leadership at all levels.

The Council and Center for Rural Virginia were chosen to participate in the Kellogg Foundation Rural People Rural Policy Networking Initiative. The initiative is aimed at building community capacity: learning events, partnerships and networks. Rural People, Rural policy is a multi-year initiative that is connecting and equipping organizations across the country to become stronger, more organized policy advocates for rural America.