We are taking our show on the road and celebrating Preservation Month with five regional workshops! Matt Synatschk (Coordinator of the Certified Local Government Program), Sue Shore (Program Specialist for the Texas Heritage Trails Program) and I are facilitating a series of capacity building workshops across the state.
This series of workshops is designed to help our customers and partners in related fields to contribute to the livelihood of our communities. It is our concerted effort to work toward Goal 6 and Goal 8 of the Statewide Preservation Plan for Texas.
Last week we went to Kingsville for our first workshop. It was wonderful to put faces with names that we had only known through email and the telephone. And, of course, it is always a pleasure to visit with the many local preservationists that participate in our programs each year.
Kingsville Workshop Discussion Group
One thing that continues to amaze me about our audience is their willingness to listen to new ideas. They have so many successful projects under their belts and yet they are still interested in learning more and finding new ways to connect with their community, which was the focus of our morning discussions.
Things that I will work on as a result of this workshop:
- To remember that everyone has a story to tell and to make sure I am prepared to tell mine;
- To look to the needs of my audience more than the list of things I want them to learn;
- Read more about the history of the King Ranch; and
- To make County Historical Commission project descriptions available to the public this summer.
Many thanks to Sarita Hixon, Toni Nagel, and Bryan McAuley for participating in our morning panel and into the afternoon. They shared some very practical ways to tell your story and discuss your mission. Many thanks to all of our attendees who were attentive and willing to share their experiences.
2012 Kingsville Workshop Speaker Panel
Finally, we wanted to thank King Ranch, Inc. and the staff of the King Ranch Museum and Visitor’s Center who went above and beyond to provide a warm welcome and a productive workshop environment. What a great way to start the month and our workshop series.
King Ranch Cow Birds
Next stop…Jefferson!
Amy Hammons is the Coordinator of the County Historical Commission Outreach Program at the Texas Historical Commission.
