ALPINE –– Registration is now open online at alpinecommunityprojects.org for a unique two-day community-building summit hosted by Alpine Community Projects (ACP) and occurring Friday evening, January 17, and Saturday morning, January 18 at The Granada Theatre in Alpine.
The event targets community leaders throughout the Far West Texas region and those passionate about community improvement. It is based on the book 13 Ways to Kill Your Community by Doug Griffiths and will put a light-hearted focus on the tough issues that face smaller communities, including the availability of quality water, enticing and retaining businesses, involving youth and senior citizens, economic development, community aesthetics, collaboration among organizations, adapting to change, embracing outsiders, avoiding complacency, and taking individual responsibility for the success of a community. Full details and additional information are available on the ACP website.
Griffiths will present his “13 Ways” Friday evening in person, followed by dinner and live music. On Saturday, professionals with experience in community development in Texas will moderate group discussions of the topics under the four broader categories of promotion, design, organization, and economic development. Saturday’s sessions will include breakfast and lunch options. Ideas from the sessions will be collected for developing related future programs. Space is limited for both days, and early registration is encouraged.
According to Kirsten Moody of Alpine Community Projects, one strength of this program is that it will not be a one-and-done effort. “It will result in a bunch of ideas, human connections, and specific tactics to do good things for our communities. Little fires everywhere, except in a good way. More like a thousand points of light, 2025. And nonpartisan,” she said.
The Friday evening talk by Griffiths will be recorded for presentation at locations throughout the region during the 30 days following January 17 for those who are interested but unable to attend.
Griffiths’ book is available at Front Street Books in Alpine and from online retailers. Growing up on a ranch outside a small community was a great practical education for Griffiths, and he went on to also acquire an Honours BA in philosophy, followed by a B.Ed, and in 2016 completed the Executive MBA program at the University of Alberta.
After teaching and ranching for several years, Griffiths served in the Legislative Assembly in the Province of Alberta for four consecutive terms. He retired from politics in January 2015 to actively pursue his passion for helping communities, organizations and businesses grow stronger.
Griffiths said that the lessons in the book apply to all types of communities, whether they are towns, organizations or businesses, with a focus on tactical planning and communicating with those who fear change. He advocates building enduring prosperity for communities where leadership can succeed, businesses can prosper, and families can find a great quality of life.
There will be no charge for the summit as a result of sponsorship by Permian Basin Area Foundation, Still Water Foundation, the Anonymous Foundation of a Friend of ACP, Johnny and Nathali Parker Weisman, Hunter Industries Ltd and KLP Construction Supply, Fabrica, Wendall and Scarlet Hirschfeld, Benjamin Garcia, The Granada Theatre, the Law Office of Julie M. Balovich PLLC, Jean and Chris Cornell, Double K Flowers and Gifts, Front Street Books, Printco, Rasor Creative, and Saturday program moderators Liz Grindstaff, Danelle Smith, Malinda Veldman and Kendra Jones.
Alpine Community Projects is an expressly nonpartisan organization that supports, energizes, and undertakes projects that enable Alpine and its citizens to flourish and lead more fulfilling and happy lives at every age.