The Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia has announced the four recipients of awards under its Rural Leadership Initiative.

A total of $15,000 will be used to support community initiatives in Colchester, Cumberland, Annapolis and Victoria Counties.

The Rural Leadership Initiative promotes rural leadership development in the process of serving community needs. The intent of these grants is to enhance leadership within rural communities, both skill and leadership capacity; building on existing resources and increase understanding of the impact of leadership on rural communities.

“These projects included both leadership development and the application of their leadership skills”, says Pam Harrison, Chair of the Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia. “We remain committed to the long term sustainability of rural and coastal communities and are encouraged by the dedication of Nova Scotians to this effort.

Highland Village in partnership with Sage Voices: Leadership Development through the transference of wisdom and skills

Sage Voices will present a leadership development opportunity for 12 to 15 Cape Breton women, ages 19-30 who are or would like to be leaders in their communities. A three day residential workshop will be held in August at the Highland Village in Iona. Young women will experience life in Gaelic (late nineteenth- early twentieth Century) Cape Breton through food, dress, music, language and customs associated with home and community. They will connect and compare the circumstances of then and now as a way to focus on their own leadership skills within today’s economic, social and cultural circumstances in Cape Breton.

Each participant will come to the workshop with a plan for a project she intends to initiate or continue in her community setting, in conjunction with a community mentoring partner. Associated with each project will be a specific leadership skill which each will identify, discuss and practice during the workshop.

This project is also supported through contributions from Victoria County, Strait-Highlands RDA, and the Cape Breton Community Economic Development Agency.

The three other groups receiving funding under the Rural Leadership Initiative are
United Way of Colchester County; Maggie’s Place Family Resource Centre, Cumberland County; and Family Matters, Annapolis County.

Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia
Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia (RCF) builds on the strengths and assets of Nova Scotia’s rural communities by encouraging philanthropic giving. A permanent endowment fund provides funds for projects designed to address the needs of rural Nova Scotia. RCF is dedicated to creating a dynamic, healthy and prosperous future for Nova Scotia’s rural communities. The Rural Leadership Initiative provided $39,278 to ten community projects in the last three years.

Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia
~ responding to community needs by investing in rural Nova Scotia ~

For more information on the Rural Communities Foundation, contact:
Pam Harrison, Chair
Box 42, River Hebert, NS B0L 1G0
902-251-2549 office 902-664-2561 cell phone 902-251-2496 (fax)
pamharrison@ns.sympatico.ca

For more information on the Nova Scotia Highland Village Society project, contact:
Dr. Jacquelyn Thayer Scott, Chair Sage Voices Society
4713 Ben Eoin Hwy, Box 408, East Bay, B1J 2E2.
902-828-3182 (h) or 902-578-8810 (m)
jtscott10@me.com

or

Mr Rodney Chiasson, Director
Highland Village Museum
4119 Highway 223, Iona, NS B2C 1A3
902-725-2272
chaissrs@gov.ns.ca