Problem solving for the rural community using communication, inclusion and development.
Approach.
We help plan and manage projects that improve the quality of life in rural Texas. The services provided by our group are like what public relations, advertising, marketing, management and public affairs firms do but are fine- tuned and targeted to rural communities. Rural strategies for success include the triad of communication, inclusion and development.
Rural communities (non-metro counties) have seen a recent modest increase of new residents because of several factors including post-recession economic recovery, transportation issues, public safety concerns of terrorism and violent crime. Also, advances in tele-commuting brought about by technology and innovative management styles are allowing more people to pursue a quality of life experience that a rural small-town environment provides. A rural community wants to hold and attract a population that contributes to the area whether it be the new millennials or the more familiar baby boomers. All can contribute to and benefit from today’s rural Texas.
We encourage “old school” and “new school” ways of thinking outside the box to complement each other in providing creative problem solving. And sometimes we think outside the courthouse or town square to get the results favorable to the rural community. Being able to tell a story is crucial to any rural development plan.
Communication
Communication- is the imparting or exchanging of information or news. A means of connection between people or places.
Strategic Communications is a key part of our service offerings and we fine tune it to the rural community
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Public Relations
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Advertising
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Marketing
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Branding
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Public communications campaigns
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Spokesperson services
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Public speaking training
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Presentation creation and development
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Soft skills development
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Crisis communications
Gatekeeping is a process by which information is filtered to the public. Dealing with gatekeeping strategies (intentional or unintentional) are part of any community communications plan where getting the correct information out to stakeholders and correct misinformation before it spreads.
Disruptor strategies and techniques found in technology commercialization and business can be useful to tear down obstacles (like inappropriate gatekeeping) that can stand in the way of developing a sought-after quality of life that rural Texas provides. Thinking outside the box strategies in communication can help in rural communities. Rural communities need specialized public communication research, planning and distribution of ideas. For example, this can be accomplished thru small group events such as using brown bag information sessions
Inclusion
Inclusion- is the action or state of including or of being included within a group or structure. Inclusion is involvement and empowerment, where the inherent worth and dignity of all people are recognized. An inclusive community promotes and sustains a sense of belonging; it values and practices respect for the talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of living of its citizens.
Inclusion includes diversity. Diversity is the range of human differences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, age, social class, physical ability or attributes, religious, spiritual or ethical values system, national origin, and political beliefs.
A community needs to seek inclusion and not just diversity in its people. Inclusion involves a plan and communication that is built on:
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Identification, recruitment, and development of community resources (its people)
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Quality of life assessments of community groups
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Community assessment of needs both present and future
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Community relations
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Outreach to targeted groups
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Relationship development
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Issue advocacy and education for community groups
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Leadership training for principals of grassroots groups
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Issue awareness and education of grassroots members
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Persuasion strategies
Inclusion brings business, churches, civic groups, local government and schools together in developing a plan from the start and keeping them together to the finish to work toward the intended goal of a better rural community quality of life. This involves communication, training and education of all stakeholders.
By inclusion we bring all local stakeholders to the table. We can help with outreach to diverse groups whether it be in the business, health care, civic, cultural, spiritual, religious, ethnic or age specific community. Knowing the right stakeholders and assets available lead to a successful development strategy. We can help tell your story to the right audience with the right tools and strategies that are fined tuned to your specific community needs.
Development
Development- is the growth and progress in the process of developing or being developed. For a community it is about a cause to grow and become more mature, advanced, or elaborate. Development is certainly about economic development as well as spiritual, cultural and community development, all lead to a better quality of life in rural communities.
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Strategic planning and development
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Rural economic development
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Rural quality of life development
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Analysis of existing resources
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Identification of needed resources
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Recruitment of critical resources and professional skills
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Business plans and business development
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Nonprofit resources development
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Development of economic resources such as Agritourism and Natural Resources
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Idea management
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Crisis management
Rural communities are like rural roads in that they are all different and lead to different places. It helps to have a road map to get you where you are going. We can help by developing a plan (map) customized for your community. We can get you where you want to go whether it be with a full-service package or from a listed menu of services.
Development as well as communication and inclusion can benefit from other services we can provide such as:
Public Affairs
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Government Relations
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Monitoring of Regulatory bodies
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Legislative initiatives and advocacy
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Referendum campaigns
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Grant resource identification
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Services and Advising
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Mediation services
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Arbitration advising
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Other hybrid ADR services/techniques
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Negotiation Strategies
Qualitative and Quantitative Research
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Public opinion survey research
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Consumer satisfaction and attitude surveys
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Community needs assessment surveys
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Focus groups
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Other types/combinations of qualitative research
Being able to provide qualitative and quantitative research catered to rural clients allows clients to make sound communications, marketing, management and policy decisions.
We do not want to provide another plan that just sits on the shelf but will help implement and execute from beginning to end (If we are going to help you land the plane then let us be there at take-off as well). Let us help you with a long-range plan that is on time and on budget with results that can be proven and measured.
ABOUT US
Problem Solving for the Rural Community using Communication, Inclusion and Development
Judge Ronnie McDonald
512-848-7958
Ronnie McDonald served as Bastrop County Judge from 1998-2012 during a time in which the population of the county doubled. He was elected at age 27, becoming one of the youngest to ever serve as a County Judge in the State of Texas and the first African American to be elected county wide in Bastrop County. He oversaw a $31 million county budget and managed emergencies of flood and fire, including the largest fire in Texas history working across party lines to save lives and promote recovery. Prior to being elected, Judge McDonald served in the state comptroller’s office as Assistant Executive Director for Family Pathfinders. After retiring from the judgeship, he was government relations and education liaison for the firm McCreary, Veselka, Bragg and Allen in Round Rock.
Most recently, McDonald served as Executive Director for Strategic Partnerships and Community Relations at Texas A & M University, working with the directors of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas A&M Forest Service to provide direction on strategic priorities and focus. He served as the primary contact point for other partners by providing updates on a variety of joint interests such as natural disasters, providing AgriLife agency support to rural communities and grant/partnership opportunities. Currently, Ronnie serves as a lead pastor at BOLD Church in Bastrop, Texas, and partner at Ruach Group Communications where he travels the nation training religious community leaders and helping communities map and manage assets for strong economies and strategic growth. Ronnie graduated from Texas A&M in 1993 with a bachelor’s in political science and business. He has been married to his wife, Ty Mills McDonald, for over 23 years and the couple has three children.
Ken Bryan JD, PhD
361-920-3739
Ken has spent his professional lifetime in rural Texas working in campaign management, government, and strategic communication. Much of Ken’s career has focused on political campaigns for issues and candidates including management services, political advertising, media planning, fundraising, targeted communications, research, event planning, grassroots organizations, media relations and media training. In government and legislative service Ken has over 17 years of experience working for rural elected officials in the Texas Senate and House along with seven years with the U.S. Congress. His focus was on rural public policy and service to district constituencies that included agriculture and small business interests, quasi government entities, rural health, higher education and intergovernmental relations with counties and local communities. Ken has also provided focus group and public opinion polling for political, nonprofit and commercial clients.
Ken has worked outside politics for rural small business and nonprofit clients in marketing and strategic communication, governmental and public affairs advising, crisis communications/management and jury trial consulting. Ken is an attorney and his legal interests include rural, elder, nonprofit governance, IP, and ADR areas of the law. Ken is credentialed as a general and family mediator under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 154.052. Ken’s broad and extensive academic background includes a PhD in Advertising --Communications (UT-Austin), a law degree (TAMU School of Law), an MBA (Baylor), an MS in Technology Commercialization (MSTC program at UT-Austin McCombs School of Business) and an MA in Politics (NYU). He serves as an adjunct professor at Dallas Baptist University.
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Academic Resume (MS Word download)
Let's SIT A SPELL.
Rural Strategy Group
1122 Colorado #2105
​Austin, Texas 78701​
Tel: 512-848-7958 judgestrop@aol.com
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The Westgate Building on Google Maps
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