Entry written by MBA student William D. Gloster, graduate assistant for the Center for Community & Economic Development in the Division of Outreach & Community Engagement at University of Central Arkansas.
The Arkansas Community Development Society (ACDS) is a nonprofit organization facilitating discussion, research, and improvement for community welfare in the state. ACDS hosted its annual conference and general membership meeting at UCA’s Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center on October 17th, 2019. Participants had the opportunity to vote on amendments, network with one another, and share best practices for long-term sustainability within communities.
Dennis Fraise and Jason Hutcheson started the day with “Develop This!” Community and economic developers tend to rely on statistics to make informed decisions, yet data can be difficult to interpret and relay to other people. The Iowa economic developers proposed that by reaching audiences’ emotions through story-telling, developers can efficiently translate complex data and ideas into memorable lessons.
Natalie Ghidotti (Ghidotti Communications) led the second session entitled “Community Image Tune-Up.” She discussed the importance of communication in today’s economy. In a quick-twitch world with evolving technology, it is important for communities and organizations to differentiate themselves from competitors. Otherwise, they might become lost in the crowd. A highly effective method of differentiation involves the use of influencers for social media and marketing. Influencers have a specific following or audience that can help bring substantial awareness and funding to virtually any cause.
During lunch, ACDS highlighted several award-winners for their accomplishments in the field. Baxter County Forward, Explore Success, Growing Corning Together, and Searcy Small Business Revolution all received an Innovative Community Development Program/Project Award. The Community Development Achievement Award went to Ed Levy (Cromwell Architects Engineers), and the Friend of ACDS Award went to UCA Outreach and Community Engagement. Lastly, Monieca West (Arkansas Division of Higher Education) received the ACDS Distinguished Service Award.
Following the awards ceremony, futurist Chet W. Sisk presented seven opportunities that communities must plan for in the next three to five years. Sisk led conversation centered heavily around effects of the climate crisis; increased risk of living in coastal regions will likely cause inland migration to rural areas in the near future. Other topics of discussion included creative communities, community tech liaisons, elder councils, feminine principle leadership, and reestablishing values through promoted-mindfulness practices.
A panel discussion rounded out the day. Jon Chadwell, Tamika Edwards, and Roby Brock debated some of today’s most controversial community development topics: the cannabis industry, the 2020 census, and the political shift in Arkansas.
For more information about the Arkansas Community Development Society, visit http://www.arcds.org/.