The North Iowa Conference (NIC) has lately been a leader in foward thinking. With schools shrinking and merging, the NIC leaders have had the forethought to expand the conference or at least facilitate that growth. In an approach of transparency and collaboration, the NIC has made affiliation available to schools that will benefit from a change of membership. The schools of Belmond-Klemme, Garner-Hayfield-Ventura, Forest City, Lake Mills, Mason City Newman, North Iowa, Osage, and West Hancock have opened the doors successfully to North Union and Algona Bishop Garrigan. Both schools have actively joined in the partnership which is the North Iowa Conference. Additionally other schools have had similar conversations, including the entire Cornbowl Conference. Collectively...