Rural Lewis County Community Development Organization: about us

Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.~Margaret Mead

Creating a positive future begins in human conversation. The simplest and most powerful investment any member of a community or an organization may make in renewal is to begin talking with other people as though the answers mattered. ~ William Greider

Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.~ Howard Thurman

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about us

The RLCCDO was incorporated in June 2007 as a nonprofit in Washington state to serve rural communities throughout Lewis County by providing community resource coordination, mini-grants and scholarships, education and training, program support, networking, and other community development activities. It is being organized as an IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization so that donations will be tax-deductible and it will be eligible for grants and corporate contributions that will help fund its projects that serve the rural Lewis County region.

The organization’s initial board of trustees includes representation from throughout the County -- including graduates of the recent Horizons community leadership training and other community development training programs -- who will utilize their leadership skills to guide this new effort. They are:

Shelly Arenas, Chair; Communications Director and grant writer for East Lewis County Chamber of Commerce; member of Mossyrock's original Horizons Steering Committee and a LeadershipPlenty graduate; community volunteer, web designer, editor, and travel writer

John Hinkley, Board Member; farmer and retired postal worker from Toledo who also serves as a PCO for the Lewis Co. Democratic Party and is a graduate of the Horizons LeadershipPlenty program

Lori Rashoff, Vice-Chair, Education; realtor in Mossyrock for Integrity Realty; coordinated the Mossyrock School District’s successful bond effort earlier this year; co-facilitated the Mossyrock School Horizons Study Circle; member of Mossyrock's original Horizons Steering Committee; member of ELCCC’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Economic Development

Paul Stewart, Board Member; Executive Director, East Lewis County Chamber of Commerce; graduate of CTED’s Northwest Economic Development Course; Horizons Study Circle co-facilitator and certified LeadershipPlenty trainer; member of ELCCC’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Economic Development; member of Mossyrock's original Horizons Steering Committee

Melissa Taylor, Secretary; senior planner for Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council on Governments and a resident of Winlock; has attended several Regards to Rural Conferences; Salkum Library Horizons Study Circle co-facilitator; member of ELCCC’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Economic Development; member of Mossyrock's original Horizons Steering Committee

Debbi White, Treasurer; sales consultant for Avon, from Randle; she is also a bookkeeper who served as the Chamber’s first Treasurer and has been involved with the East Lewis County Relay for Life for several years

We are seeking a few more board members as we reach out to the entire rural Lewis county area. If you are interested in getting involved, please click here to send an email.