Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative

Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative

Join the growing number of people in Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties working together to create vibrant communities where the healthy choice is the easy choice.

The healthy choice means that every day all people in NE Iowa have access to healthy, locally grown foods and abundant opportunities for physical activity and play.  Food and fitness is important  because no matter where we are, the places where we live, learn, work and play affect our health and quality of life.

For the past ten years, this effort has been a part of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Food & Community program.  Food & Community invests in community-driven policy and system change projects to transform our food and fitness systems.  NE Iowa was chosen as one of nine locations across the country for this project. For more information contact Rachelle Howe.

Click Here for More Information

Active Living Work Group

Ensuring that people use the natural and built environment for physical activity, play and active transportation

Active Living Work Group

"Active Living" means to integrate physical activity, such as walking and other active body movements, into our daily routine. Being physically active positively impacts our health, our community and our environment. From trails to parks to bluffs and beyond, Northeast Iowa provides an exceptional environment for physical activity.

The Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative's (FFI) Active Living Work Group aims to increase use of Northeast Iowa's natural and built environment by encouraging people of all ages and abilities to be active outdoors. The Active Living Work Group is made up of key individuals from multiple sectors working together to make the group's strategy a reality:  parks and natural resources, city engineering, physical therapy, county conservation, trail enthusiasts, public health, community and transportation planning and Safe Routes to School.

As the core partner invested in FFI's Active Living and Safe Routes to School efforts, UERPC convenes the Active Living Work Group. The work group meets quarterly and always welcomes new members! Please contact Ashley Christensen to learn more.

ALWG Meeting Minutes

News Headlines

Upcoming Iowa Safe Routes to School Conference on January 24th

Posted: Thu, January 10, 2019

It’s not too late to register! The Iowa Safe Routes to School Conference is an annual conference providing insight, idea sharing, education, and programming on all things Safe Routes to School. 6 years running, the Iowa Bicycle Coalition brings together partners and collaborators from across the state to network, learn, share ideas, and talk about best practices. This year, the Iowa Safe Routes to School Conference will be an opportunity to hear from a wide variety of professionals from public health (Angela Drent, Siouxland Public Health), transportation planning (Jeff Wiggins, City of Des Moines active transportation planner), advocates (Mike Armstrong, Des Moines Bike Collective), planners (Mindy Moore, Snyder & Associates), and Wellmark Healthy Hometown! 

We have a jam-packed day planned! Lunch will be provided for a small fee from "In-the-bag" catering. HERE  is the link to register! 

or: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/iowa-safe-routes-conference-2019-tickets-50912747398

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UPCOMING OPEN MEETING LAW SESSION

Posted: Thu, January 10, 2019

Upper Explorerland RPC is happy to bring back Jeff Schott, now retired as the Director of the Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Iowa in May 2018 to host the basic laws and concepts that apply to city councils and boards and commissions, entitled Open Meeting Laws.  The session will be held on March 14th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 (noon) at the Postville YMCA.

 This two-hour training program includes the following topics:

 Legal Requirements: 

·       Open Meetings Law

·       Public records Law

·       Gift Law

·       Conflicts-of-Interest

·       Other Important Laws 

Doing What Is Right:

·       Duties and Responsibilities

·       Policy Development and Analysis

·       Policy and Program Evaluation and Oversight 

Strategies for Improving Performance:  

·       Strategies for Enhancing Effectiveness

·       Orientation

·       Teamwork

·       Decision-Making

·       Acting Strategically

Jeff Schott from 2006 - 2018, he had been responsible for delivery of the Institute of Public Affairs’ organizational improvement programs, including goal setting, strategic planning, council/board effectiveness training, educational programs and information, public management assistance, and staff training, to hundreds of local governments across Iowa.

Schott has been a featured presenter regarding local government issues and concerns at numerous conferences and workshops for organizations such as the Iowa League of Cities, Municipal Leadership Academies, National League of Cities, Iowa City/County Management Association, Iowa Parks and Recreation Association, Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Iowa Department of Transportation, Iowa State Association of Counties, Northeast, South Central and Des Moines metro regional leagues, and many other state and regional groups.  Schott has been an adjunct instructor in the University of Iowa School of Urban and Regional Planning.

Publications for which Schott has been responsible include the 2016, 2012 and 2008 editions of the Iowa Municipal Policy Leaders’ Handbook, a guide for mayors, council members and city staff in Iowa. The Handbook is designed to help municipal officials understand what is expected and required of them by explaining both the details and the “big picture” involved in being a municipal policy leader.  The Handbook describes the functions and services of Iowa cities, the laws governing municipal activities and contains explanations, tips, checklists, and lists of resources useful to city officials. It provides important information on a variety of critical topics, including: mayor and council roles, council meetings, dealing with the public, financial and budgetary administration, human resources, municipal services, economic development, planning and community development, and many other vital issues.

Please RSVP to Mary Huinker at mhuinker@uerpc.org or by calling 563-864-7551.

 

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UERPC December Newsletter

Posted: Mon, December 17, 2018

Some of the headlines you can read about this month include:

  • Highway Driving Safety Tips for Wildlife Collisions
  • UERPC Commission Members End Their Terms
  • Decorah's Community Visioning Designs Available for Viewing
  • Be the Change you Wish to See
  • Iowa Finance Authority Awards Funding to Housing Program
  • Beat the Blues Winter Marathon Starts January 1st
  • The UERPC offices will be closed December 24th and 25th and January 1st for the Holidays
  • Holiday Giving - Donating to your Local Food Bank

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Holiday Giving

Posted: Thu, December 13, 2018

Holiday Giving - Donating to your Local Food Pantry or Food Bank

The Holiday season often finds our thoughts turning to those in need.  Giving to a food pantry or food bank is a great way to give during the holidays and beyond.

For a complete listing of food panties or food banks in our area, please click below.

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