The document's major portion addresses aspects of rural social work practice from importance of the worker's first actions to knowing when and how to leave successfully. Beginning with "What is your Rural IQ?" and some definitions of rurality, all subsequent sections conclude with "Some Exercises and Mental Challenges" and a reading list. Emphasis is placed on taking time to assess rural communities' rich and varied social networks. It is recognized that official support services and unofficial approval of social workers may be slim or nonexistent. Suggestions are made for stretching resources and applying new technologies. Attention is paid to the changing countryside picture: urban to rural migration, boom town impacts, industrial decentralization, and a continuing drain from rural to other areas. A smaller section suggests that line staff in small communities consider case management as a way of rethinking and organizing material in the previous sections. Trigger questions are provided to assist social workers in combining their job experiences with concepts provided in the document. Information provided under each question is intended to further vigorous thinking about the topic. Seven questions deal with agency assessment, six with case assessment, and one each covers case monitoring and case coordination. (BRR)