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2	Organizing strategies for new immigrants in Iowa and the midwest Jan L. Flora Iowa State University Cornelia Butler Flora North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
3	Iowa’s Minority Population 2000 215,980 1990 112,915
4	Minority Residents as a % of the Total Population in Iowa 2000 7.4% 1990 4.1%
5	Race/Hispanic Origin <17 Iowa Change 1990–2000
6	Majority* Population Pyramid 2000 Iowa
7	Hispanic* Population Pyramid 2000 Iowa
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14	Iowa Community Voices Voces de las Comunidades de Iowa Basic level New residents Learn about living in the new community Meet local leaders Discuss local issues Program planned by the new residents Nivel básico Nuevos residentes Aprendizaje sobre como vivir en una nueva comunidad Entrevistas con líderes locales Los nuevos residentes planean el contenido del programa
15	Program Philosophy The Iowa Community Voices program is a series of educational meetings designed to enhance the civic understanding and leadership skills of minorities and newly arrived immigrants to Iowa.
16	What is Iowa Community Voices? An 8-10 session program for Latinos/ new immigrants with the following elements: Aids new immigrants to manage in a new culture. Topics (illustrative): Housing Education Legal Issues Health Care Employment Opportunities Acquaints them with local officials, business and civic leaders Assists them in planning first steps in developing an organization and a first project
17	How to Organize an Iowa Community Voices Program
18	1. Talk with new residents to see if they are interested in the program Slowly develop a personal relationship with new residents. Meet with new immigrants after a (Spanish- language) religious service. Bring cookies and juice. Introduce yourself and informally visit with everyone. Develop a relationship. Other good places to informally talk with new immigrant residents are: minority- or immigrant-operated retail stores, community centers, and sporting events (soccer matches are particularly appropriate.)
19	2. Meet with local officials and service providers to determine if there is sufficient support in pursuing the Iowa Community Voices program. Check with
20	3. If there is interest, invite immigrants to a meeting After establishing an informal relationship and getting to know several people by name, invite them to attend a meeting to
21	4. Form a planning committee Ask for volunteers to plan an educational program around the issues they have identified. The planning committee should consist of 6 to 8 members. Rule of thumb: 75% of the planning committee members should speak the language of the target audience.) Choose a time and place to meet that is convenient and “comfortable” for all. Avoid meeting in government buildings.
22	5. Recruiting Participants Personal invitations works best. Offer transportation. Put posters in businesses frequented by new residents: ethnic food stores, K-Mart, etc. Send flyers home with school children Ask employers to get their immigrant employees to attend. Pass out flyers and put posters in the work area.
23	How is the program planned? Small planning group—majority new immigrants Flexible content—based on interests of immigrant community
24	How is the program delivered? 8-10 weekly sessions Participatory or dialogic—give and take between established leaders and new immigrants Led jointly by a native Spanish speaker from the community and an Extension person Provide prizes, snacks, and certificates
25	Expected Outcomes Involvement of Latinos in community affairs
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28	What should leadership look like within the Hispanic community of Storm Lake?
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31	Desired Futures That the entire community be united Better communication between Latinos and Americans Learn how to explain our problems to appropriate parties That others might understand the reality of being an immigrant Follow civil and “urbane” rules Improved recreation for families/young people Improved bilingual health delivery Assure that our youth grow up in a wholesome manner That most Latinos would acquire a GED Better job opportunities (financial capital) Increased quantity and quantity of affordable housing Improved public transportation Hispanics more involved in community affairs
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35	Iowa State University Extension Programs in Spanish Leadership programs Organizational development Education in cultural diversity Seminars in Mexico Educational materials in Spanish Developing and strengthening networks among Hispanic business persons
36	Programs / Programas Iowa Community Voices Leadership Voices LeadershipPlenty Training Participatory Leadership Training Voces de las Comunidades de Iowa Voces de Liderazgo Entrenamiento de LiderazgoAbundante Entrenamiento para el Liderazgo Participativo