CDI Central

Spirit Stick recipients from Wednesday: Karen Hicks of the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce and Jessica Grady of the City of Pea Ridge - Government (Year 1), Jamie Smith of Elkins Community Network-ECN (Year 2 Purple), Roger Hesketh of University of Delaware and CDI Mid-Atlantic (Year 2 Gray), Bonnie Keith of Southern Aluminum (Year 3), and Laura King of Natural State Creative (Advanced Year).

Newtonia: A Place Where Dreams Come True…? 🤷‍♀️

We are thankful for our incredible line up of speakers! Our speakers come from diverse backgrounds, represent a myriad of businesses and organizations across Arkansas and the nation, and are experts in their fields of work.

Can you tell they’ll be graduating on Friday? 🎓

The Advanced Year has experienced three packed days of exploring what makes local rural communities (Vilonia, Mayflower, Morrilton, and Greenbrier) unique and special.

We have had so much fun working with local community leaders to spotlight their communities! They wrapped up today’s trip with a visit to Herschel Hall and Elite Core Audio in Greenbrier.

“Your [calling] in life comes from where your greatest joy meets the world’s greatest need.”

Thank you to our Keynote Speaker Janet Harris with the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute for sharing inspiration and vision with us this morning.

And thank you to our 2024 Keynote Sponsor Winrock International for supporting the creation of a space where all CDI participants come together.

Spirit Stick recipients for day 2: Vanesha Sasser of Walnut Hill Telephone Company (Year 1), James Bell of Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce (Year 2 Purple), Brooke Bergeron of South Central Planning & Development Commission (Year 2 Gray), Tanya Williamson of Tanya Associated Business Services (Year 3), and Romona Todd of Gemced Foundation (Advanced Year).

You may have noticed the missing spirit sticks in these photos; the classes had to get creative as the mystery disappearance of the CDI Spirit Sticks continues.

Special announcement: Year 2 Purple swears on the CDI playbook we DID NOT kidnap the Year 2 Gray spirit stick! Maybe ask Year 3 what they know about it? 👀

A new tradition for : the CDI Spirit Stick!

Each day the spirit stick is awarded to a member of each class that exhibits the most CDI spirit. This may be through engagement, positive attitude, support of classmates, etc.

Day one winners include: Elijah Jackson of the City Of Eudora (Advanced Year), Misty Hawkins of Arkansas River Valley Regional Library System (Year 3), Roosevelte Williams III of R.’s Creative
Solutions, LLC (Year 2 Gray), Michelle Viney of Communities Unlimited (Year 2 Purple), and Malik Barnes of Americans for Action (Year 1).

In the true spirit of a spirit stick as well, Year 2 Gray’s stick has been kidnapped by another class. War will ensue.

2024 is hosting one of our largest Advanced Year classes of all time! They will be exploring what makes three rural communities in Central Arkansas special this week.

CDI Year 3 learned today that adults play with blocks too!

They might be the Purple Class or the Gray Class, but together they are an unstoppable force: Team Year 2 ⭐️

Day 1 for Year 1! Setting a foundation for success.

“It’s not the will to win that matters; everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.” - Arkansan Paul “Bear” Bryant

The team is geared up to share The Community Development Playbook next week so our communities can take gold 🏆

Congratulations to Metroplan, Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission, and the City of Fort Smith, Arkansas!

🎉🎉🎉The EPA announces Arkansas Tri-Region Coalition to receive $100 Million for the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) award! 🎉🎉🎉

This grant will fund multiple projects throughout Central Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas, and the Arkansas River Valley, representing over half the Natural State’s population. 💡🌱🔌 Congratulations to our fellow partners, Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission and City of Fort Smith, Arkansas. We look forward to our continued partnership as this grant transforms energy and environment innovation in the Natural State. 💚🌎💙

For more information, click the link below!

https://metroplan.org/eei/

Put me in coach! 🏆

will celebrate 38 years of CDI July 29 through August 2. This year’s Class Directors will be armed with a new tool they’ve never had before…

The Futures Game simulation explores decision-making processes and the affects of those decisions over a 20 year time frame in the fictional county of Sweet Tea, Arkansas.

Last week the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce Conway Area Leadership Institute participated in a Futures Game simulation hosted by staff as a part of their Planning & Infrastructure session.

There aren't words powerful enough to express our thanks to our Community Development Institute 2024 sponsors. In less than 2 weeks, we will convene over 200 community leaders who are ready to make a positive impact. Our sponsors make it possible to create this unique space for learning, connecting, and growing.

Thank you again to our 2024 sponsors: Entergy Arkansas | Winrock International | Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas | Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation | Winthrop Rockefeller Institute | Crafton Tull | Simmons Bank | Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis | AT&T Arkansas | Newport Economic Development Commission | Main Street Arkansas | Arvest Bank | Arkansas Economic Development Commission | Conway A&P Commission | Conway Area Chamber of Commerce

We are in full CDI prep mode! Our days are filled with printing, organizing, emailing, and we are even dabbling in decorating.

We can’t wait to see everyone in a few weeks!

Big turnout in the City of Pea Ridge - Government for a conversation with the Arkansas Department of Transportation on current infrastructure projects and the unveiling of the city’s new brand!

The new brand was designed in partnership with the city, Pea Ridge residents, our team at UCA, and Thrive Inc. as a part of the Community Development Pipeline Program. More information about the brand will be shared soon!

Every year at , our Year 3 class coordinates a Silent Auction to raise money for CDI scholarships. This year’s Silent Auction will be held Monday, July 29 through Thursday, August 1 during CDI 2024 in UCA’s Brewer Hegeman Conference Center Room 103.

Anyone can participate in the Silent Auction! Auction items range from Arkansas made products, gift baskets, home decor, art, adult beverages, vacation packages, gift cards, and a variety of speciality items such as the one of a kind “Straight Outta Newtonia” hat and “I Survived Newtonia” stickers pictured below.

Any true fan of CDI must own these special collectors items!

Things will look a little different in UCA Outreach & Community Engagement moving forward as Outreach Associate Vice President Dr. Shaneil Ealy is departing UCA in pursuit of new opportunities. Dr. Ealy has been with UCA Outreach for over 20 years, and even served as a CDI coordinator in the past.

Dr. Ealy is an ardent supporter of , and we wish her the best as she continues her impact beyond UCA!

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."

Team building is a critical part of our office culture in UCA Outreach & Community Engagement. Each person in our division plays an important role in ensuring we have positive impacts in the communities we serve. We had a great time bonding at Top Golf this week!

The Community Development Institute is fortunate to have the support of our sponsors and scholarship supporters! Because of their support, nearly 200 community leaders in Arkansas and across the country will have access to high-quality curriculum, expert speakers, and networking opportunities at an affordable rate.

Thank you to our 2024 sponsors: Entergy Arkansas | Winrock International | Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas | Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation | Winthrop Rockefeller Institute | Crafton Tull | Simmons Bank | Newport Economic Development Commission | Main Street Arkansas | Arvest Bank | Arkansas Economic Development Commission | Conway A&P Commission | Conway Area Chamber of Commerce

It's time to VOTE! 🗳

Here's an election we can all get excited about: The Coolest Thing Made in Arkansas! The top 16 have been identified and you have until July 12 to vote for your favorites. You can vote here: https://www.coolestthinginarkansas.com/