This manual is intended to help rural officials solve community problems. In defining local needs, rural officials should pick a winning issue, enlist community support, make certain of local authority to pursue the project, and build local credibility by demonstrating good government management. Officials can marshall resources by joining forces with other rural governments and networking through state associations and regional councils. To be knowledgeable and professional, rural officials need to understand the basic workings of state governments. This includes learning about the functions and duties of each branch of government as well as state-run federal programs versus state-run, state-funded programs that exist to benefit rural governments. Finally, rural officials need to expand their leadership skills by making themselves valuable to state officials, and being persistent but patient when working toward a goal. Included in the appendices are addresses and phone numbers for: (1) federal and state agencies and national organizations that can assist rural officials; (2) extension service offices listed by state; (3) public information offices of state legislatures; (4) state community development block grant offices; and (5) state job training partnership offices. Schedules for sessions of state legislatures and office addresses for governors are also listed. (KS)