Tips from the KSF PowerUp Manager

The power of setting the tone: “You set the tone for the place you live.” This quote came from fellow Kansan Jennifer Bacani McKenney. One of the values of the PowerUp Movement is to be positive yet constructive. Whether you’re a PowerUp or a PowerOn, the way we show up every day in our communities creates the places we live. If we want to live in a place that is connected and vibrant, we can choose to participate in that way. We can lovingly laugh at the quirky ways we each show up in our community or we can gossip and grumble about each other. We can ask for help when we need it instead of assuming someone else will “see a need, fill a need.” What tone do you want to set for your community this month? To learn about the other PowerUp values and principles visit our website here.

Time for a Do-alogue! Rethinking Design with Intention.

Aug. 28, 10a-2p. $30.

Near Lecompton.

Register here.

This Do-alogue is for community leaders,

do-ers, and Good Thinkers who want to learn how to convert an older building into a more modern space that can be used with specific intention. How do we pull threads of a building's past into the future so it doesn't feel like another old version of what it was but rather a space that can respond to the modern needs of visitors, users, etc.?

Come learn how to rethink design with intention from Katie Winter and Megan Embers at Winter School, a one room schoolhouse. Winter School is on the National Register of Historic Places and is thoughtfully used and adheres to modern guidelines and needs such as ADA.

This is an ideal do-alogue if you have an older space (one-room school house, church, jail) perhaps and would like to breathe new life into the space while honoring its past. Lunch is included with your registration. 

Dorothy's Slipper Slide: What a great example of bold and creative thinking--a slipper slide through Dorothy's ruby red shoe! It's located near the Tourist Information Center at 1 Yellow Brick Road, close to Dorothy's House, the Land of Oz and the Yellow Brick Road.

New bookstore: It's great to see another independently-owned bookstore open! This one, The Beloved Book Co., is in Garnett at 130 E. 5th.

Photo from FB page

Talkin' Trails: You're invited to Talkin' Trails with Sunflower, a virtual listening tour where you can share your ideas, your trail needs, and help shape the future of trail investments in Kansas. These informal, virtual

one-hour sessions will be from noon to 1 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month through October. (The first session was July 15).

No registration is needed. Just use the Zoom link to join the conversation.

Sunflower’s deep-rooted commitment to funding and supporting trails will continue well into the future. This is an opportunity for any Kansan who cares about trails, health, and community development to help shape that future. 

Kansas Trails: Powered by Sunflower Foundation, Kansas Trails is a new website and network that will help you find trails, build trails, promote trails, or support trails. Help continue the trail frenzy in Kansas from walking trails to gravel routes!

KSF seeks bookkeeper: This is a great opportunity for someone who is detail-oriented, dependable, and aligned with our grassroots values. While most of the KSF team is remote, this part-time role is ideal for someone located within 30 minutes of our Inman office who can come into the office at least once a week. You’ll be the heartbeat of our operations—balancing QuickBooks, reconciling reports, keeping donor records updated, and supporting our small but mighty staff with administrative tasks. Learn more.

State grants: See this schedule of grants offered through the Kansas Department of Commerce.

Grants to teachers: Teachers, $50,000 in grants are available from the CHS Foundation to implement ag-focused projects in your classroom. The CHS Foundation will award up to five grants to projects that engage students in experiential agricultural education. A $20,000 first place, $15,000 second place and $10,000 third place will be awarded in addition to two $2,500 finalists. Written and video submissions are accepted through September 1. Review eligibility and how to apply here.

Kansas Tourism 101 classes: Want to learn more about Kansas Tourism and the resources their office can provide? Or maybe you need a refresher on how to use the Extranet which is how you update your information on TravelKS.com. Kelli Orender will be hitting the road in August and September to make a presentation in each tourism region. There is no cost to attend the workshop. Find the dates and register here.