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AUGUST 2018
URAL L EADER
M AG A Z I N E
Wisdom is knowing the right path to take. Integrity is taking itM. H. McKee GetRuralLeaderMag.com | August 2018
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Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication that highlights every day people doing extraordinary things nationally and abroad. www.RuralLeaderMag.com www.GetRuralLeaderMag.com
Contents
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD
6 Sizzling Sips: The summer’s hottest wines are made in South Africa 8 Five-minute life hack: Tips to boost your career 10 Seniors' Health Rankings: Where does your state rank? 11 Six ways Nonprofit Public Broadcasting Strengthens Local Communities 13 Small Businesses and the Benefits of Conscious Capitalism 15 This 70-year-old Program Prepares Young Women for Leadership
Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part, in English, or other languages, is prohibited without written consent. Send editorial ideas to Kuanita Murphy, PhD, Editor-in-Chief editor@ruralleadermag.com Contact Us info@ruralleadermag.com Phone: 1-877-281-6505
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Tell us what you think about our publications, if you have a great idea for a story, or to just share. We may print your comments in Rural Leader Magazine. By sending us your comments, you’re giving permission to call you for an interview. Please be sure to include your name, address, email address, and phone number so we can reach you. Write to us at info@ RuralLeaderMagazine.com—
Editor’s Note Dear Readers, Inside this issue, we are honoring twenty outstanding young people under 20, who have demonstrated academic excellence (See page 4). As always, I hope you enjoy this issue and continue to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google +, and LinkedIn. Thanks again for your continual support! Sincerely,
Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
Photo Courtesy of TieFotos
About Us
Launched in March 2014, Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication with a mission to highlight every day people doing extraordinary things in business, education, music, community, art, sports, and leadership nationally and abroad. Rural Leader Magazine honors exemplary individuals on a variety of levels, such as the 20 under 20 Honors, 40 under 40 Honors, Best Small Town Restaurant, Small Town America’s 100 Most Influential People, the Scholars of Collegiate Distinction, Fifty under Fifty, and the Eagle Elite Club.—
What you do matters. GetRuralLeaderMag.com | August 2018 3 @RuralLeaderMag
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Sizzling Sips: The summer’s hottest wines are made in South Africa Summertime means weekend adventures, sunsets and toasting with friends and family. With so many wine options on shelves, selecting the perfect summer sip can be daunting. For those looking to impress guests with wine recommendations that extend beyond the the usual suspects, look no further than South Africa for inspiration with white wine varietal, Chenin Blanc. Pairing perfectly with South Africa’s star white wine is the tradition of South Africa’s sundowner - a moment at the end of the day when everyone stops to watch the sunset while enjoying a cocktail or a glass of wine - synonymous with the American happy hour. Whether tipping back a glass of wine after a day at the beach or concluding a long work week, the sundowner offers a time to reflect, enjoy and celebrate amongst friends. What gives Chenin Blanc rising star status? Versatile: Whether pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc is your go-to varietal, Chenin Blanc is a worthy alternative to shake things up this summer, offering a crisp acidity that people love to enjoy during warm weather. Bridges Old and New Worlds: While considered a New World region, South Africa has a rich history and tradition of winemaking, with the first vines planted in the 17th century. This is the only New World country with this rich heritage that contributes to the production of quality wines. Value: You can get handcrafted Chenin Blanc at an accessible price point. Chenin Blanc provides crisp refreshment on any summer day. Whether you’re pairing with a meal or enjoying a sundowner, here are three must-try wines: Protea Chenin Blanc: Made with 100 percent Chenin Blanc grapes from select bush vine vineyards in the Swartland and Voor-Paardeberg regions of South Africa. These grapes contribute a balance of freshness and natural acidity to this light-bodied
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white wine. Taste: Bright nectarine and stone fruit freshness on the nose. Crisp citrus flavor with tangy lemon vibrancy that is matched by more of the nectarine and stone fruit fleshiness in the mouth. Lively with lovely light body and a gentle persistence. Ernie Els Big Easy White: The Big Easy White offers an amazing array of tropical fruits, showing the complexity and charm the Cape has to offer. This wine is crafted with 100 percent Chenin Blanc, and has an easy-drinking, unwooded style. Its big appeal is due to its flavors being so pleasant, refreshing and approachable. Taste: The tropical palate is richly textured with hints of wild herbs and Indian spice, adding complexity and good depth. This wine is medium-bodied and unhindered by oak, giving a lively fruit structure and soft, easy finish. Nederburg Heritage Heroes: The Anchorman Chenin Blanc. The Heritage Heroes is a gourmet collection of handmade, ultra-premium wines, each individually named to honor a personality who has played a role in shaping Nederburg’s history and reputation. The Anchorman is named for Nederburg’s founder, Philippus Wolvaart, who bought the farm in 1791 and planted Chenin Blanc, among other varietals. Taste: Well-balanced, fresh and fruity with a beautiful minerality and an excellent structure. You may not be traveling far this summer, but you can enjoy this South African tradition at home by stocking up on Chenin Blanc and planning a few sundowners with friends and neighbors.—
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Five-minute life hack: Tips to boost your career The rapid pace of change in jobs means the era of one-and-done learning is over. It no longer matters what you learned in the past - to stay relevant you need to upskill. So if you want to improve your marketability and get ahead in your career, it’s time to think about the valuable skills that could open the door to new opportunities. The good news is with tools and online courses on platforms like LinkedIn Learning, you can explore and develop critical skills and interests - right at your fingertips anytime, anywhere. “Experience never gets old, but your skills can,” says Marci Alboher, author of The Encore Career Handbook and upcoming LinkedIn Learning instructor. “Re-skilling throughout your career will position you to ensure you’re finding meaning in your work, growing in your profession and making an impact along the way.” Here are three tips for kick-starting your learning efforts. 1. Find the time! The #1 career goal for professionals in 2018 is to learn a new skill - but not everyone knows where to fit learning into their daily lives. Here’s a tip: In today’s ever-connected digital world, we’re living in the era of bite-sized learning, where new skills can be honed in minutes on the subway, or while you’re eating breakfast. Start by picking 5- to 10-minute windows in your daily routine - you don’t need to find hours, minutes are fine. For example, try skimming through courses on a Sunday night, and make a wish list of courses to view throughout the week, whenever it’s convenient for your busy life. 2. Make it a habit. They say a habit is formed in 21 days. Whenever you slot learning into your daily
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schedule, try to pick a time when you can make it routine - whether it’s on the bus during your morning commute, or in the 10 minutes after you brush your teeth at night. You’ll be growing in your skills before you know it. Fun fact: LinkedIn Learning also sets a reminder for you, so it’s one less thing you have to remember in your day. 3. Pick your skills. Today’s skills landscape is changing faster than ever - with new technologies and digital techniques emerging at every turn. Whether you want to advance your existing career or begin a new one, start by identifying a few key skills you’d like to hone. For example, people in every job can benefit from learning soft skills that teach you how to get things done or achieve your goals. Soft skills, such as communication and critical thinking, will give you a competitive advantage in the workplace, and you never know when you’ll uncover a new passion or side project along the way. LinkedIn makes it easy to identify the skills you need by alerting you to the most in-demand skills for your job and industry, based on your LinkedIn profile, from project management to leadership. One of the most important skills for keeping your passions alive is to learn how to be a lifelong learner. In any industry, in any phase of life, there are always new skills to be gained, and new knowledge to explore. Committing yourself to being someone with a constant appetite for learning will enrich you not only today, but throughout the course of your career. To learn more about LinkedIn Learning and explore business, creative and technology skills to achieve your personal and professional goals, visit www.linkedin.com/learning.—
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Seniors' Health Rankings: Where does your state rank? It's well known that where you live can influence your health. The recently released United Health Foundation's 2018 America's Health Rankings Senior Report dives into this issue. The sixth annual report finds that older adults who live in rural areas often experience poorer health outcomes and receive fewer preventive services than those in urban and suburban environments. It also sheds light on how states rank related to certain behaviors and health outcomes. The report found that seniors in rural areas are 13 percent more likely to be physically inactive than their peers in suburban and urban areas; 7 percent less likely to receive the flu vaccination than those in urban areas; and 11 percent less likely to receive health screenings compared with suburban and urban peers. "It is our goal with this report to help seniors, family caregivers and advocates better understand the specific health concerns in their own communities so we can all work together to address them," said Dr. Rhonda Randall, senior adviser to the United Health Foundation and chief medical officer and executive vice president, UnitedHealthcare Retiree Solutions. "By examining the differences in health between seniors living in rural areas and those living in urban and suburban areas, for example, we believe we can empower communities to help seniors access the resources and services they need to live happier, healthier lives." The health determinants in the report are grouped into four measurement areas: behaviors, community/environment, policy and clinical care. Related to behaviors, the report looked at six metrics: smok-
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ing, excessive drinking, obesity, physical inactivity, dental visits and pain management. Utah was the top-ranked state for overall health and behavioral measures, ranking in the top five for the smoking, drinking and physical activity categories. Pennsylvania made the most progress in behavioral measures, improving its behavioral ranking from 50 to 21 and seeing the largest increase in score. Several states' overall health rankings moved five or more places since 2017. Iowa and Pennsylvania made the most progress, both improving nine spots, while Arizona and Washington experienced the largest declines, dropping eight and seven ranks, respectively. While these rankings might seem unrelated to daily life, keep in mind that many of the measures are made up of the actions of individuals. There are many things you can do to help improve your own health, from making sure to schedule regular dentist appointments to being more physically active. Whether making a new commitment to take regular walks or tackling a big lifestyle change like quitting tobacco use, behavior changes can make a meaningful impact on health. The 2018 Senior Report was developed with guidance from an advisory committee of aging and senior health experts. Visit www.AmericasHealthRankings. org to read the full report and explore how your state stacks up.— *Note: Visit Americas Health Rankings at AmericasHealthRankings.org/learn/reports/2018-senior-report
Six ways Nonprofit Public Broadcasting Strengthens Local Communities In a time when consumers have more information and entertainment options than ever before, one resource continues to deliver high-quality, well-researched news and engaging entertainment programming that bridges the divide between national events and local activities. Whether you are braving the I-5 slog, venturing to Yellowstone National Park, hiking Mount St. Helens or whale watching off the Alaskan coast, nonprofit broadcasting outlets keep families connected to their community, informed on the news of the day and entertained regardless of age, gender or demographic background. Community radio stations, public broadcasting and non-commercial outlets bring a content-focused approach to their daily programs that serve to uplift their audience's region as much if not more so than any other media platform. There are six primary ways these outlets help local communities flourish and thrive: * Creating a more engaged, informed community. Recent research from the Political Quarterly shows those who have access to public service broadcasting are better informed about government and politics, are more trusting of others, maintain more positive civic attitudes and have greater confidence in democratic institutions. That educated and engaged listener base is more likely to engage on key community issues. * Stimulating creativity and innovation. Through programming that engages, explains and explores, public broadcasting plays a major role in supporting STEAM subjects. But many stations go beyond that. Spokane Public Radio, for example, recently rehabilitated a former fire station to include a state-of-the-art performing and recording studio for regional artists, thanks in part to grant funding from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. * Supporting local cultures. Public and non-commercial stations can often focus on elements of local and regional culture that might otherwise go unrecognized by other media outlets. For example, Anchorage-based Koahnic Broadcast Corp., a pub-
lic radio station, and Nome-based KNOM Radio, a non-commercial outlet, both concentrate their efforts on programming that addresses the needs and interests of Alaska's Native populations. KBC's National Training Center also provides training opportunities for Alaska Natives and Native Americans interested in broadcasting careers. * Filling the reporting gap. As some news sources struggle to maintain profitable business models, public broadcasting continues to offer in-depth coverage of important issues. Because its primary mission is public service and not profit, it can remain independent of corporate influences without sensationalizing news issues to boost ratings. As such, public channels are more highly trusted than commercial channels for the accuracy, reliability and impartiality of their news coverage, according to Political Quarterly. Recent examples of excellent, unbiased reporting include the comprehensive state election coverage regularly offered by the Bozeman-based Friends of Montana PBS. * Diversity in programming. Relatively unencumbered by commercial pressures, public stations are free to broadcast shows and podcasts its leaders believe have the most information and entertainment value to its listeners. That typically contains a wide range of programming, from hard news, news features and in-depth documentaries to entertainment, sports coverage and educational kids' shows. * Ad-free. Since public stations are generally funded through tax money and private contributors, many stations can forgo all advertising revenues. That can be a breath of fresh air in an age when we're bombarded at every turn by invasive ads, and it allows audiences to focus without interruption on the quality programming being presented. For decades, the Murdock Trust has been proud to support public broadcasting outlets across the Pacific Northwest through a number of grants, both for their ability to inform and to preserve and celebrate local culture. Visit murdocktrust.org to learn more.—
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12 RuralLeaderMagazine.com | August 2018 Nikki Reed is the founder of Bayou with Love, a small business that prioritizes sustainable fashion.
Small Businesses and the Benefits of Conscious Capitalism What drives someone to take the risk and start their own business? In many cases, it's the knowledge that they can offer a great product or introduce new solutions to old problems. Passion and determination put entrepreneurs at the forefront of innovation. What's remarkable about so many small and medium-sized businesses today is that it's not just the bottom line they're after. Businesses are more focused than ever on socially and environmentally conscious causes. Take, for example, small business Bayou with Love, who partnered with Dell to create a jewelry line using recycled gold from old computer motherboards. The jewelry line is just one example of a small business prioritizing doing good for the planet. Cuvee Coffee practices direct trade, a model that considers environmental, financial and social sustainability as well as personal relationships. It builds partnerships with farmers who are good stewards of the land, pay fair wages to their workers and are often leaders in their communities. Cuvee then pays well above market prices for their coffee and in return, the company gets the very best coffee and the farmers make substantial profits. By using ethical and altruistic principles to guide business practices, these entrepreneurs practice what many call "conscious capitalism," and investors are taking notice. Investments from angel investors and venture capitalists have helped these businesses play their part in a national and global trend toward social betterment in business. Here are a few ways small businesses can benefit from conscious capitalism. It opens the door to more capital from investors. When a company launches a humanitarian initiative or implements an ethical program, people pay attention. According to Fundivo, angel investments in altruistic businesses have been steadily growing since 2002 and roughly four jobs are created per investment. Moreover, a recent study from The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investing reported that under sustainable and responsible investing guidelines, a total of $8.72 trillion was made in 2016,
showing a 33 percent increase since 2014. Increased networking opportunities through crowdsourcing; By helping businesses reach like-minded changemakers, the tech industry has made it easier for small businesses to maintain a conscious mission statement along with a profitable bottom line. In particular, funding for socially-conscious businesses has become more easily achievable through crowdfunding campaigns on Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Even Kickstarter owners Yancey Strickler and Perry Chen insisted that their crowdfunding platform become a Benefit Corporation, ensuring they remain focused on their mission to bring creative projects to life rather than simply increasing the size of their own profits. These crowdsourcing platforms are an efficient way for companies to find investors, but also to network and get their message out to a broader public. A boost from tech. At the center of many altruistic businesses is the robust use of technology, which has allowed many highly successful small businesses to support social and environmental causes. It's not only that having dependable and easy-touse technology is critical for these businesses, but many tech giants have implemented programs to support conscious capitalism in small businesses. For instance, as one of the world's leading IT suppliers, Dell has been particularly passionate about helping businesses with an eye for social change and environmental consciousness. Through its 2020 Legacy of Good plan, which outlines its own sustainability goals, it has helped small businesses use technology in a way that drives progress and social change. Dependable and affordable technology is essential to promoting social change, and that's why so many entrepreneurs and investors are realizing that when paired with technology, ethical business practices can do a lot of good and turn a profit.—
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This 70-year-old Program Prepares Young Women for Leadership A record number of women are running for public office this year. In the near future, we can expect more female public servants representing the American people - from local chambers to Capitol Hill. In light of this exciting trend, it is important to highlight programs that help develop young women to become the next generation of female leaders. One such program? American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Girls Nation. ALA Girls Nation is a weeklong mock experiential learning program, one that positions high-potential teens for a lifetime of public service to our country. This summer, 100 female high school seniors - two from each of our 50 states - will convene in Washington, D.C., for the 72nd Annual ALA Girls Nation. Each teenage girl represents her state as a "senator" - mirroring the structure of government at the federal level. During this transformative weeklong program, these senators form a fictitious nation, become "Nationalists" and "Federalists," enthusiastically campaign to hold office, and - perhaps most important - accept and celebrate the outcome of these elections and come together to serve for the good of the nation. ALA is a nonpartisan organization committed to advocating for veterans' issues, promoting patriotism, mentoring America's youth and proudly presenting ALA Girls Nation for over 70 years. The ALA Girls State and ALA Girls Nation are privately-funded and presented by members of the organization. The world's largest women's patriotic service organization, ALA was chartered in 1919 to support the mission of The American Legion. More than 6,500 young women have attended ALA Girls Nation since its inception in 1947. Each participant leaves the program informed about the fundamentals of U.S. government - and the rights, privileges and responsibilities of citizens. It lasts for one short week. Yet the seven-day experience - one that champions the legislative process and serious collaboration - has laid the foundation for thousands of bright futures. Many alumnae have chosen careers in public service, putting their ALA Girls State and ALA Girls Nation experience into action to serve the people. The lessons learned about teamwork, resilience and the democratic principles that guide the republic in which we live are applied in real life by many alums
who have gone on to serve at the local, state and national level - including high-ranking members of the judiciary. Justice Lorie S. Gildea began her tenure as chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court in 2010. She participated in the state-level version of ALA Girls Nation, known as ALA Girls State in 1979 - and the program, Gildea said, "empowered her to embark upon a lifetime of service and leadership." "At ALA Girls State, we learn that every voice has value and that every woman needs to use her voice," said Gildea. "We also learn that we need to be courageous and confident enough to take life up on the opportunities that present themselves to us." "An informed citizenry is essential to the success of our democracy. ALA Girls State [and ALA Girls Nation] plays a vital role in informing and educating our future leaders," Gildea said. "It is a wonderful opportunity to learn about and see firsthand how the three branches of our government work. I am so grateful to the American Legion Auxiliary for presenting ALA Girls State and teaching me and thousands of Minnesota's young women about the value of participation and the possibility of leadership." Other alumnae have gone on to hold leadership roles in industries spanning government, military, media, education and law. Notable alumnae include Jane Pauley, national media personality; Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, president of Augustana University and former South Dakota U.S. representative; Susan Bysiewicz, former Connecticut Secretary of State; Lt. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson, superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy and former Air Force aide to the president; Ann Richards, former governor of Texas; and Susan Porter-Rose, former chief of staff to First Lady Barbara Bush - among countless others. For some girls, it is their first opportunity to connect with peers with common interests. For others, it is the first time they encounter students whose perspectives differ from their own. For all, it is a moment in time when a select few teenage girls from all over the country come together to discover and celebrate the honor and importance of participating in our democracy. To learn more, visit www.ALAforVeterans.org.—
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