It's been a crazy summer -- as project coordinator for the Cam Co Project, I had to take a huge step back to heal from surgery and we've lost some momentum.  

But fear not, we're back and September brings a Huge -FINAL push to collect your stories and to give you opportunities to share your hopes, dreams, and concerns; your #MyCameronCounty story.

October 1st, we'll begin taking all the stories you've shared with us over the last 6 months, all the survey responses, art projects, emails, and facebook comments and drafting Cameron County's Community Value Statements -- summarizing our shared values and showcasing what we collectively view as the heart and soul of Cameron County.

October will  bring lots of sharing the stories we've heard back to residents, the surprising and endearing. 

We'll be spending November sharing the Value Statements we've drafted with EVERYONE. Asking if we got it right.  Keep an eye out for ways to comment on what you think.

Once we're sure the value statements are correct, we'll be transitioning to Phase 3: Make Decisions.
You'll each be invited to resident visioning sessions where we'll think about our Cameron County's future through the eyes of each Value Statement. What we need to work on. What actions they require to thrive. What projects need to occur or cease. What ideas they inspire. 

​This is where our past meets our future -- and all the amazing ideas you've been sharing with us and  the ideas you've yet to share, have the chance to become reality.
​​

The stories we gather now, each of the unique ways you view our communities and interact with them, the barriers you face and history you hold, it all matters. The rich data each story holds will help us justify the projects and initiatives of positive growth in our future. How we get them approved, funded, implemented.  

We've already learned so much from the over 500 stories, both thin and thick, we've collected. We want you all to be apart of this, because you all matter. Please don't miss your chance to be heard.
​

Kind Regards from your neighbor,
​ Jess Herzing

Upon graduation, I plan to attend college majoring in Occupational Therapy. I haven’t committed to a specific college yet, but I have a few in mind. Going into Occupational Therapy, I know that it is going to be tough to find a job here in Cameron County. After college, I am willing to go wherever there are opportunities, but my goal is go somewhere in the south. I would like to live somewhere where you don’t have to drive 20 minutes to go grocery shopping, or an hour to go watch a movie, I want to be somewhere that has everything I need and want right there. ​

...There have been many families who have gone through tough times and our community always does something to help out. One of the major things is every Christmas there is a benefit dance and all proceeds go to a family, or families in need. The support from others when it’s needed the most really makes me happy to be a part of this town.

​

This is my Cameron County. 

Ok *technically* the fore ground is Potter County...
​but that view...way out there...That's Cameron County.
The Salt Run Vista over looks Salt Run, and Salt Run, weaves its way into Cameron County, and I spent many summer days at Andrews Farm bothering Poor Mr. Andrews -- by hunting for his barn cats, riding my bike through his yard to build dams, fish or just wade in the water under the Salt Run Bridge on Nickler Road, or riding my bike over that bridge to see Ms. Ada Drum for snack and a story.  Upon moving back home,  when I was pregnant with my son, Elias, I would walk up the bottom portion of Salt Run Road, in the August heat, because I couldn't sit still. We even had our engagement pictures taken at Andrew's Farm -- because of how much it meant to me, and how beautiful it is.

Now, you see that dirt all over my car...that dirt is from Crooked Run. Crooked Run starts where Sizerville State Park first greets its visitors, and it brings you up to Ridge Road. Ridge Road transverses a large part of Potter and Cameron County. It's so long, that the forest type actually changes from the North end to the South end, and in the fall, it's a really great place to view the leaves. 
*Side Note: If Hiking is more your thing -- The Bucktail Path does the same thing. From its start in Sizerville State Park to its End in Sinnemehoning. You can day hike portions of it (I suggest Rock Run Trail or Chicago Springs Trail) or spend a couple days hiking through this coming spring*

I feel like this project started in my office on Fourth Street, mulling over how to bring business to our town. But it really started out there.  The places I go to find solace and rest and process everything that happens in my life.

The biggest take away I have is this -- just because this is what I love about Cameron County, it doesn't have to be what you love about living here. It doesn't make me right. It doesn't make it better.  It just makes it mine, my Cameron County Story.  It helps me frame what I think is important when decisions are being made on my behalf.  So tell me -- what helps frame what you think?  What do you LOVE about Cameron County? What keeps you here or makes you want to come back?  Finding our shared values and using them to bring change we can agree upon to our community, build pride on in our community, raise morale in our community, that's our goal. 

Kind Regards from your Neighbor,
​Jess*

If you would like to share your story or sign up to be a story gathering volunteer -- please email me: camcoproud@gmail.com.  I'd love to talk to you further!

Leadership Committee Work Updates and Phase 2.1 Training for Volunteers:
 
Jess Herzing, CCP Project Coordinator, opened the meeting by stating that funds part of the project's budget to provide food for CCP volunteers to show gratitude for their work. Tina Solak, Executive Director of the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce, suggested that maybe future meetings could be held in local restaurants. Volunteers get fed and businesses get supported! In response, Jess said that she’ll make arrangements after creating meeting agendas for volunteers in Emporium and the Southern Tier of Cameron County.
 
Jess discussed that she has made plans to reach out to the people of the Southern Tier of Cameron County in order to gather for volunteers and story gatherers. Emphasis was placed on the fact that the citizens of that area need to have their voices heard and valued.
 
Meeting attendees worked on a work plan, with assistance from the CCP Community Network Analysis (CNA), to decide on what key demographics need people connectors to gather stories. More of a focus was placed on story gathering and understanding bias in stories. During the meeting, participants were encouraged to practice with fellow volunteers by collecting each other’s stories. Jess explained that tonight’s meeting was to help us get started on collecting stories and to prepare for our next training in 4-6 weeks or early in December to work on data
 
New Business and Important Updates:
 
Jess announced that CCP story gathering procedures will require a Lead Story-Gatherer. She defined this role as someone who would have to be the first point of contact for all story gatherers. In addition, this person will be responsible for organizing stories, keeping direct contact with story collectors via email or texts, and offering ideas on what demographics still need to be heard from in correlation with the CNA. Tina Solak volunteered for the position.
 
Jess stated that the CNA is now on google drive for volunteers to view in hopes of finding connectors and people who want to share their stories. She also said that she is making preparations for establishing an interviewing tab at local establishments. Plans for inspiring story gathering will be published on the CCP Facebook and Instagram pages.
 
Meeting attendees learned that the CCP  is interested in purchasing electronic devices for the project’s work plan. Plus, arrangements are currently being made to get three podcast reorders.
Volunteers learned that Mrs. Copp’s students in her Senior Communications Course will be participating in story gathering within the school. Students have already developed a School CNA. They identified voices to be represented with two people for each voice. This week, the students in Copp’s class will be talking to students voices to recruit interested students to be interviewed. Interviews will be turned into a movie of their results. Initial voices include the following:​

• Band members
• Shop students
• Athletes
• Environmental/outdoor enthusiasts
• “Uninvolved students” (kids that work or aren’t involved in school activities)
• Honor students

 
Phase 2.1 Volunteer Training & Hands-on:


Copies of the Phase 2.1 story gathering, guideline packets were handed out. Jess illustrated that the packets are to be the Go-To source for volunteers to gather stories, set up interviews, prepare questions, and discover tips on locating bias and initiating conversations. Discussion was held on why stories are more important than surveys. It was concluded by all that not only are stories more personal, but that also people are more likely to share their stories because of emotional connections. Whereas surveys are more restricting.
 
CCP members practiced compiling stories by interviewing each other as a way to gain a better understanding of how story gathering works and to become more comfortable with the process. Pat Kempher clarified that the best way to be more comfortable in interviewing is to emphasize the goals of the CCP and how they will add to the betterment of Cameron County as we talk to county residents. Communication=Key! An agreement was made that the best way to gain interviewing tips is to observe. Therefore, Jess took part in a “mock interview” with Linda Slyder, CCP Volunteer, and Matt Nolder, CCP Communication Coordinator.
 
Upcoming Events and Engagement Activities:


The next CCP volunteer meeting will be November 26th from 6:00p-7:00p. Location is yet to be determined
 
On Friday, Novemer 2nd, the Family Center and Cameron County Outdoor Youth Activities will be hosting the Andrews Farm Family Picnic from 5:00p7:00p! Kids will engage in an exciting scavenger hunt! Dinner will be roasting hot dogs, making mountain pies, and whipping up some delicious s’mores! Brian Budjanec from Sizerville State Park will be making a presentation. Jess will be there to talk about the CCP. If anybody is interested in helping Jess, please let her know as soon as possible.
 
Questions/Concerns/Comments:
Jessica Herzing-- CCP Project Coordinator
camcoproud@gmail.com
814-335-0571
 
Matthew Nolder-- CCP Communication Coordinator
matthewnolder8@yahoo.com
814-335-3658

....although it is hard to be sure.
Given, we have the community events and days at the pool that fill the summer, the beauty of leaves changing in the fall and snow blanketing the hills in the winter... but there is something I really enjoyed about watching the spring roll through our county in waves of green, as trees leaf out, the colorful explosion of the trees that line our streets, dot our hillsides or adorn our yards as they go into the bloom -- and now, as we're in the baby season, my family eagerly looks forward to the sights of fawns in fields, baby ducks in our creeks and baby Elk in the food plots in the southern tier of the county.  Now,  we weekends of creek-wading, fishing, and Sizerville adventures ahead of us.  And during the week, my kids are thoroughly enjoying the playground in Prospect Park (just like I did growing up), with the new group of "neighborhood kids."

Meeting: 7:00p-8:30p
Attendees: 19
Leadership Committee Present: 3 members
​​
Jess Herzing opened the meeting at DCNR. Attendees shared the results from the personality tests. Jess noted that the tests will help people realize their strengths.

Attendees then shared what they love about Cameron County with an emphasis on Places:
Salt Run Vista
Front porch of Emporium Country Club
Native brook stream
Woodsmen of the World
Top of the World
SPCA
The safety and walk-ability of Emporium
Huntley
Britton Hill Road
Canoe Run Watershed
Sizerville Trail
Little Red Barn
Own backyard
McNuff area of Bucktail Path
Wykoff
Clear Creek
Sterling Run
Route 120 from Emporium to Sinnemahoning Sportsman Club
Clear Creek
​
Jessica explained the information gained is soft data. The Cameron County Project will collect both hard and soft data. It will be a 2 year visioning project including all residents and a report that can be used for leverage (feasibility) for grants.

Heart and Soul success stories shared.  *Examples can be found here*

Upcoming Events and Engagement Activities were discussed:

• A community dinner will be held at the Cameron County Fairgrounds on August 11. The tablecloth will have questions written and people encouraged to discuss the topics.
• A photo contest is planned, with the creation of a calendar and the profit to be given to the Community Chest.
• Jess is working on creating a chalkboard sign in the vacant lot owned by the borough next to Harrier Insurance.

Jess encouraged people to share the information abut the project and email stories and pictures to her at : camcoproud@gmail.com.