Waukon, IA

One common comment during the Study Circle discussions was the frustration expressed about the city government. Several people felt that ordinences were not being enforced and that city officials were not doing enough to improve Waukon. Three of the candidates running for public office started participating in our Visioning discussions and offered much insight. I am happy to report that those three people were elected to the council and are addressing issues identified in the Horizons discussions such as sidewalk repair and economic development.

The Allamakee New Beginnings board members met on June 5 with Sandy Scholl from ISU Extension. Sandy is a community development specialist and met with the ANB to help them develop a mission statement. First she asked them “why does ANB exist?”
To assist those in poverty
To help people meet basic needs
Help to be tied to education and teaching
To coordinate various assistance
Partnering to get ahead
Improving lifestyle
Collaborating with other agencies
Lessen the effects of poverty — through education
Investing in families and community to help them improve themselves
Make resources available to help people move ahead
Wake up the resources they have

Key words were identified in this list and after a couple of iterations, the following draft mission statement was agreed upon.

Allamakee New Beginning, Inc. exists to seek and manage resources as a charitable organization to lessen the effects of poverty by investing in families and individuals through education and collaboration.

The mission and vision will be further developed in future meetings. The ANB board also set a regular meeting date–the third Thursday of the month.