This webinar began with a brief presentation about rural community organizing from Dr. Mara Tieken, assistant professor of education at Bates College. Then, the leaders of three rural community organizations – Richard Witt, executive director of Rural and Migrant Ministries in upstate New York; Helen Johnson, founder of Citizens for a Quality Education of Holmes County, Mississippi, and organizer for Southern Echo; and Joyce Parker, founder of Citizens for a Better Greenville of Greenville, Mississippi, and organizer for Southern Echo – discussed how they have confronted difficulties like linking together residents of multiple towns, fostering “community” over vast distances, and helping residents overcome their fear or reticence to become a part of “the work.” The presentations were followed by questions and answers from webinar participants.
Source Organization: Annenberg Institute for School Reform (AISR)