Community Voices

• "I've been meaning to get in touch with you - first to thank you both and your wonderful staff for this summer's Institute. Wow... when I left Bozeman I felt like I'd had a really good meal (literally and metaphorically-speaking!). It was an extremely satisfying experience - intellectually, socially, professionally, personally. The three-day shorter hour structure, case-study format, the selection of presenters, the expansion into social justice issues, the participants themselves - honest, generous, hard-working and committed as the institute leadership... it was darn close to perfect. And I really am being objective. I'm so un-used to well-run ships that it is truly a treat to experience one. I am always recharged by the Summer Institute, but this year (2005) was, for me, very special."

  - Becky Beacom, Palo Alto Medical Foundation

• "Your approach and re-framing of prevention to the science of the positive made a HUGE impact on me personally and revitalized my energy for the effort. In fact, the single most important thing we can do to advance prevention is to energize the participants with the positive approach."

  - Jay Otto, MOST of Us – Cody, WY

• "Just wanted to drop a line to say thanks for the great hospitality in Bozeman this past weekend. Jake and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people and leanring new stuff to tweak our campaign. The Institute was well worth it! Keep in touch!"

  - Jeanie Ringelberg, Executive Director, Summit Prevention Alliance - Frisco, CO

• "It was good to see you. And what a great leadership institute. Give yourself and everybody there pats on the back for a terrific experience."

  - Shelley Molz, M.A., Executive Director, Valley Partnership - Aspen, CO

• "Could I please be sent 10 copies of the "Montana Rules" CD-ROM? My school received some, but we have so many teachers in Livingston that the CDs are stretched thin. Thank you for producing these. I think they are tremendously valuable!"

  - Jeffrey Bennett, Teacher, Livingston, MT

• "I just finished going through the CD a few times before I was able to pass. I liked it very much and think it will be a great tool for teenagers to learn some rules and information about road usage. Good work on the CD."

  - Jim S. Allen , ITS & Safety Engineer, FHWA - Nevada Division

• "The CD-Roms were a hit in my class. The partner games were a blast even the citations."

  - Susan Carney, Arlee Schools

• "What parts of this training would you keep the same?-- I enjoyed the making up the commercials. I like getting involved. Thanks a lot.-- It was very fast paced and interesting. -- I really enjoyed the presentation-training. 4 hours seemed like 1.-- Everything, I didn't know how to come across to students and now I have a better understanding of how to come across without being negative, "preachy," etc.-- Thank you for a fantastic experience!!"

  - Flathead Prevention Alliance Media Literacy Project

• "What did you learn?-- I learned about social norms and that addressing the problem in the wrong way can increase it. -- I really learned how social norms affect people and how we can help shape people's choices. -- How to make a commercial that will really get to people. -- How to make a more effective commercial. What works-what doesn't. -- I learned to empower instead of criticize audience.-- I learned how social norms affected people. I learned to empower not to criticize."

  - Flathead Prevention Alliance Media Literacy Project

• "Was this training valuable? -- Yes. I never realized all the things that do not work for advertising, i.e. health terrorism. -- It made me think differently than if I hadn't attended. -- Awesome job! You are very influencing."

  - Flathead Prevention Alliance Media Literacy Project

• "Awesome job! You are very influencing. [I learned] how stereotypes totally stuck out and how careful you have to be when making a commercial. Also how to influence your target audience....The part where we had to make our own commercial made you realize how difficult it is not to stereotype and to get your point across. It makes you realize why commercials are they way they are. Thanks!"

  - Jackie Bodfish - 11th Grade, Flathead High School

• "I learned that commercials aren't necessarily bad. Some are really good. I would change nothing [about the training]. This social norms session was awesome."

  - Danielle Minette

• "I never realized all the things that do not work for advertising, i.e., health terrorism...You were wonderful. You really knew your stuff and seemed more than happy to answer our questions...I will be sure to look at your web site. Thank you."

  - Kayla Brothers

• "I loved thinking up the commercial. Maybe give more in depth commercial presentations. I loved how you looked professional…thank you for a fantastic experience!!"

  - Kalispell Social Norms Training

• "Everything, you were wonderful. You really knew your stuff and seemed more than happy to answer our questions. I am really interested in what schooling you went through and what you have done to get where you are. Your job seems so much fun. I will be sure to look at your web site. Thank you."

  - Kalispell Social Norms Training

• "What a disappointment that funding for this program has been cut!!! I think it's super effective!!!...I would still love to receive MOST of Us products...the green pens are a HUGE hit with almost everyone...and the frisbees and skateboards work really well with my middle schoolers."

  - Shannan Sproull, Flagship Coordinator, Rattlesnake Middle School - Missoula County, MT

• "Our students think the Youth Web Survey is great because the data is school-specific; it relates directly to them, rather than to students statewide or nationwide."

  - Cindi Hurst, Community Incentive Program - Sheridan County, MT

• "The Youth Web Survey is a great way for community prevention grant recipients to build relationships with schools in their area."

  - Cindi Hurst, Community Incentive Program - Sheridan County, MT

• "I think the fact that students enter their responses directly into the Youth Web Survey, knowing that their information gets sent anonymously via the Internet, makes it a more effective survey than most. Students are more likely to answer honestly if the survey is submitted electronically rather than being handed to a teacher, administrator, or other adult that they know."

  - Cindi Hurst, Community Incentive Program - Sheridan County, MT

• "I found administering the Youth Web Survey online to be very efficient and fun. The students enjoyed being on the computers and found the survey easy to complete."

  - Alison Counts, Counselor, Belgrade Middle School, MT

• "The survey was easy for us to administer… The data was sent to us promptly and the professionalism demonstrated by the MOST of Us staff has been appreciated."

  - Jackie Mavencamp, Counselor, Gardiner School, MT

• "Students' general reactions to the campaign are positive. It makes them feel good about being in the majority."

  - Middle School Teacher, Ravalli County Schools, MT

• "Students generally think the campaign is 'cool.' They seem very interested and especially enjoy the promotional items!"

  - Middle School Teacher, Missoula County Schools, MT

• "Thank you for sending us all of those "MOST of Us" products. Our kids absolutely love it."

  - Youth Development Director, Missoula Family YMCA

• "…I really think your program is effective and needed."

  - Stan Anglen, Business Owner