VisionWorks' Breakthrough Solutions
Community and Regional Success Stories
Extraordinary Communities Conference in Conway County Was Extraordinary - February 2006
Congratulations to the community leaders in Conway County for the
"Extraordinary Results in Ordinary Communities" Conference they
hosted on October 20-22. This was a very impressive conference,
featuring warm hospitality and a great variety of learning
experiences. This conference featured a "who’s who" of grassroots
community and economic development from all over the nation, and it
attracted 160 people from 9 states. It was an honor for me to speak
at the conference on breakthrough solutions.
Developing and putting on the conference was, by design, a community
building experience for Conway County. The conference involved 54
local volunteers, featured meals served by several local churches,
and included events spread out from Morrilton to Petit Jean
Mountain. A few highlights of the conference:
• Positional leadership vs. effective leadership: Ed Martsolf, one
of the organizers of the conference, stated that "Positional
leadership refers to individuals elected to key positions in the
community. Some are effective and some are not. Effective leadership
[refers to] individuals who are effective in moving the community
forward, regardless of their position."
• "These are such remarkable communities with remarkable
achievements," stated Dr. Vaughn Grisham, author and director of the
McLean Institute for Community Development from the University of
Mississippi, and advisor to the conference planning committee. "I go
to communities all over the country, and communities tell me, ‘You
don’t understand; we’re different.’ I do understand. It can be done.
You may be too lazy, but these ideas are being done. Many
communities will die. They will decline unless they take hold of
their future."
• Both private and public sector play key roles. Dr. Grisham
continued: "The private sector has to make it safe for the public
sector to become innovative. It is possible for this to begin in the
public sector. A mayor can really kick it off, but often these
people are not re-elected. Missoula, MT and Thomasville, AL are
examples. When people see where it is attached to their interests
and their values, they are likely to become involved. You need
communication with them to help them see how it benefits them. Talk
on their terms, not yours."
• School Becomes Extraordinary: Dr. Grisham told about a public
school that is in a suburb of Dallas: "The school had the worst
statistics for drop-out rates and academic achievement in the 14th
percentile. The leaders of the school got together and decided to
take action. They are now in the 91st percentile - in the top 10% of
schools in the state. They also have no dropouts!"
Overall, the conference was a terrific experience and featured
communities (including Conway County) that built on their assets to
create a viable future. These communities have truly created
breakthroughs that will be featured in articles to come.
Congratulations again to the conference planning group who organized
this conference and everyone else involved.
Dr. Mark Peterson, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension
Service
Community Development Specialist
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