Tiny Town Solutions

July 23, 2024

TINY TOWN SOLUTIONS

Over sixty percent of Colorado communities have populations less than two thousand. These smaller communities or “Tiny Towns” face different challenges for getting things done. Downtown Colorado, Inc. recently held a talk at the Colorado Municipal League conference where we highlighted members of the Tiny Town Network, including municipal and community leadership from different Colorado regions, to share the tools, partnerships, and peer network that is building solutions for our smallest communities. This month’s Tiny Town discussion engaged our communities to review some of the discussion topics and share some ideas for our blog. 

RECRUITING + RETAINING TALENT

  • Transfer. When someone isn’t a strong team player, look at their skills and consider other roles. When someone is looking for growth, set longer term goals for professional development to allow them to move into a different role that will provide a path to growth.
  • Flexibility. Make people feel appreciated and wanted. Set expectations and then have conversations with staff to understand where expectations don’t align and try to adjust. For example, adjust times and days for work to allow people to have a life and still contribute. 
  • Look Local. Consider the people and resources in the community to build from what you have.  If there are people, businesses, or organizations that are demonstrating skills or initiative, consider how they might support the community vision. 

ENGAGEMENT 

  • Invite Partnership. Trustees and leaders in the community can join meetings or education forums and report back to the larger board or staff. Even considering representative positions where each trustee connects with a partner to expand connection. 
  • Education. Hosting educational sessions that are fun, community minded, and expand how people look at governance. This can allow folks who might not consider themselves a leader to start to run for office or take on more responsibility. 
  • Fun. Leadership in a tiny town is not separate from life, it is why people love the tiny town, because they have a place and are relevant. Invite people to a community table. Bring it out of the civic spaces. Have them during the time of life that works best for them. Farmers markets or places where people are.

SUSTAINABILITY

  • Retention. Showing gratitude and acknowledging the behind the scenes accomplishments of the team. Ensuring that people know they are valued. 
  • Expectations. Setting clear goals and metrics that are transparent and clear to all. 
  • Cross-Training. Opportunity. Cross-training within your staff from other departments or expertise areas can help give a nice break from being stuck in one way of thinking and creates alternative career options. People can wear a lot of hats and fill a lot of roles. This can also help people get really creative with how to get things done and communicate cross-departmentally.
  • Continuous Learning. Monthly learning lunches where everyone can propose topics and lead them to educate each other.