Pursuit of partnerships IVCDO’s recipe for successful endeavors
From our weekly issue dated March 25, 2009
Emilie Young announced this season's event at the Chateau at Oregon Caves. (Photos by Michelle Binker, Illinois Valley News)
Celebrating partnerships was a recurring theme during the annual membership meeting of the Illinois Valley Community Development Organization (IVCDO) held Thursday night, March 19 at the Rogue Community College Business & Entrepreneurial Center.
Besides re-election of three board members, showcasing IVCanDo’s many community projects and recognition of esteemed volunteers, the meeting served to unveil planned events for the 75th anniversary of the Chateau at Oregon Caves National Monument.
Lelo Kerivan, of Bridgeview Vineyards Winery, was honored with the 2009 Community Volunteer of the Year award for her work to raise the funds to replace the “Welcome” sign on Hwy. 199 at Hays Hill. Shirley Rusk, of the Glass Rail Outfit Community Center, was granted a certificate of appreciation for her service on the IVCDO board and her community efforts.
Marilyn Zieba accepted an award for Coffee Heaven. The business was recognized for outstanding community service. And Kenny Houck, longtime IVCDO board member and chairman, was honored for his volunteer service to the community through his 15 years with IVCDO, and its predecessor, I.V. Community Response Team.
Now in its 16th year, IVCDO has survived where most of the 36 enterprise zones established in 1994 have disappeared. Said Houck, “To me, that's the power of grass-roots organizing.
“The county didn't run it and there was no agency involved,” he said. “The whole point was to make sure that the money came and created a sustainable, ongoing organization. Even though the balance sheet is a little challenging, we are running a nonprofit like a business.”
The organization counts among its accomplishments a fire fuels reduction program through which some 1,021 acres in Illinois Valley and beyond have been treated to reduce fire risk; a revolving loan program through which 73 loans totaling $517,000 have been extended to small business owners; and the creation of a Business Entrepreneurial Center in Kerby. Also in development, in partnership with Back Country Horsemen, is an equestrian/hiking trail system adjacent to Illinois River Forks State Park.
IVCDO also has been an instrumental partner in the development of Kerby Water District. The project, which will provide drinking water and fire protection for Kerby residents, has required coordination of two funding sources, engineers, Josephine County and the city of Cave Junction.. Construction is slated to begin in July.
“It's a huge project,” with a combined $3,257,000 in grants and loans. The district comprises a noncontiguous, checkerboard of 87 properties within Kerby, with the potential of serving 200 residents.
The March 19 meeting was held in an as-yet-under-construction wing of the new RCC business center. The epitome of partnership, the former Kerby Belt Masonic Lodge building was donated to RCC for use a community center. In partnership with RCC and with grant from USDA, the building is set to provide “neighborhood one-stop shopping” for business needs from counseling and finance to marketing and employee relations, Houck said. The building’s anchor tenant is the Southern Oregon Guild, which is in the business of partnering with its member artists to help them improve their commercial success.
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Another shining example of partnership is IVCDO’s operation of the Chateau at Oregon Caves National Monument. While the community organization is the concessionaire at the site, it works closely with the National Park Service (NPS), which owns the historic lodge, and a new group, the Friends of the Oregon Caves and Chateau, which will help demonstrate community support for the long-term restoration and preservation of the chateau.
Through a marketing blitz which includes an updated Website, IVCDO hopes to use the occasion of the chateau’s 75th anniversary (coincident with the 100th anniversary of the national monument) to highlight what the area has to offer in terms of art and music.
Emilie Young, marketing coordinator for the friends group, said that community involvement is crucial. She invited valley residents to rediscover the Oregon Caves.
“If you haven’t taken a cave tour in the last five years,” Young said, “it’s time to go again. They are always opening up new rooms, and there is always new information to share.”
This season's events include classical guitar concerts, and a commemorative pack train ride from Williams, reminiscent of the trip made regularly before completion of Caves Hwy. (Hwy. 46) in 1922. Also, an Octoberfest celebration in the fall. NPS will host a Community Day at the caves on May 9, with free cave tours.
Jack Walker, Kathaleen Ponder and Menno Kraai were re-elected to the IVCDO board.
Kraai issued an invitation to the community to participate in the IVCDO and contribute ideas and problem-solving skills.
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