Feb. 1, 2022 — Ketchum, Idaho — The Wood River Women’s Foundation (WRWF) today announced that it is hosting the 3rd Annual Community State of the Valley Forum on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022. This year’s theme is “Maintaining Community Values while Balancing Growth.” The event is open to the public and will be held from 3pm-6pm at The Community Library in Ketchum, 415 Spruce Avenue.

“The annual forum is organized by our Education Committee, whose focus is to increase philanthropy by women and provide information that will lead to wiser, more effective giving. It is our most visible community-facing event of the year,” said the Foundation’s Board President Terri Bullock. 

Recent changes are inspiring many kinds of conversations about who “we” are and how each of us describes our unique County and the towns that comprise it.  Questions that will be raised during the Forum include:

• What do we value? 
• How do we encourage new and long-term residents to appreciate these values and join in maintaining them? 
• Do we have sufficient teachers, classrooms, administrative and support staff to accommodate changes in our school demographics?
• How do we protect our wild flora and fauna and teach everyone their significance to our community identity? 
• What are the impacts of growth on our housing options at all economic levels? 
• Can our outdoor recreational resources handle the increase in use? 
• How can we embrace growth, tap into new talents and enthusiasm, and create opportunities that benefit everyone? 

Moderated by Wendy Jaquet, former Idaho Representative, the Forum features four panelists representing the sectors the Education Committee identified as having a significant impact on our growing community:

Education – Jim Foudy, Superintendent, Blaine County School District;

Environment – Josh Johnson, Central Idaho Conservation Associate, Idaho Conservation League;

Housing – Michelle Griffith, ED, ARCH Community Housing Trust; and

Recreation – Mark Davidson, ED, Blaine County Recreation District.

Participants who wish to attend in person or via live stream can find the registration links here under the “News” tab on the Foundation’s website, www.woodriverwomensfoundation.org.

​​Wood River Women’s Foundation inspires and educates women to become leaders in philanthropy.  We encourage and create significant positive change in our community through pooled and focused grantmaking. For more information contact Jenni Riley, Education Committee Co-Chair jenni@hazlettwealth.com