For the isolated timber-dependent communities of Idaho, the MIRA experience established new individual and group capacities to identify issues, organize resources and make decisions. The overall impact can be described in terms of skills, knowledge and attitudes.
Both individual and team (group) skills were increased. Every team mentioned that the way they worked together had improved and that they felt a new motivation to tackle community problems and to do that as a team. Every team has plans to continue, at least as a discussion group, into the future. Individuals mentioned personal experiences using increased or new skills and knowledge such as goal setting and project planning.
Activities and materials from the workshops made their way into community life in 4-H groups, adult Bible study circles and even village boards where a flip chart was used for the first time!
The impact on local technology infrastructure was the result of the team projects. Except for the town of Council where an extensive technology project was already in place, every community greatly increased its capacity regarding the applications of technology. For some communities, of course, this meant that after the MIRA project the tiny library had two PCs and a printer where none had been available before. In each case, though, the hardware was part of a public education effort and more attention paid to the people than the technology. If computers were added to the library, it was so that classes might be held or that the teens and seniors could work together on a project like a genealogy web site. Bovil, with the greatest isolation and the least available equipment, increased community infrastructure the most.
Overall, the Idaho teams exhibited considerable learning about how to effectively work together, how to identify a community need, plan and carry out a project. The stories of team members indicated that their success with MIRA has enhanced personal self-esteem and community image.
The Idaho Cluster has retained some portion of the unspent workshop funds and plans a reunion and celebration for late summer or early fall 1999. The fact that the teams are intent on gathering once more to tell each other about finished team projects and update personal connections is one of the most positive indicators of the success of the Idaho Cluster.
