Executive Director’s Report:

Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission Meeting: November 17, 2016

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1. By now you have all been informed that Keep America Beautiful President and CEO Jennifer Jehn has resigned her post. The current leadership team, led by Chief Operating Officer Becky Lyons, will ably and seamlessly continue managing KAB services and programs until the Board appoints a new President. Becky is well equipped for this task as she also performed it following the departure of President Matt McKenna in 2012.

2. Speaking of leadership please be advised that during the November 17th meeting, we will need to elect the Commission’s 2017 officers: Chairman and Vice Chairman. Nominations will be accepted from the floor and will require a second. Self-nominations are encouraged by anyone wishing to serve in either capacity. The election will be by secret, written ballot, and the winners will be announced. The term for the new officers will calendar year, 2017.

3. Additionally, the first meeting date for 2017 must be set during the November meeting; the balance of the 2017 meeting calendar will need to be approved at the first Commission meeting of 2017. Please bring your personal/business schedules to refer to in discussing the 2017 dates.

4. The 2016 Great Arkansas Cleanup has concluded. The volunteer troops of our Clean and Green Teams have performed admirably; appreciative communities and our state are again more attractive because of their service. Each year, the value of their effort to our state during the GAC annually results in more than Three Million Dollars of community and environmental improvement cost avoidance, abetting the intangible benefits of pride of place and quality of life.

5. Follower of our social media know that we regularly post many and varied messages thanking our cleanup coordinators, volunteers and participating organizations for their outstanding efforts. When available, we post photos to literally ‘put a face’ on our volunteers. Their efforts contribute greatly to making Arkansas cleaner, more attractive and inviting, producing beneficial cost savings to our state and its communities.

6. Anytime you are able to encounter our volunteers please offer them your personal and sincere appreciation for their service to their community and our state: Remember, volunteers aren’t paid – but it’s not because they are worthless – it’s because they are priceless!

7. We are also mindful and very pleased that several of our Commissioners contributed their time, talent and energy to helping make the GAC and related program activities successful by their voluntary service. We are grateful to each for extending the Commission’s participation in these community activities. We Thank YOU!

8. We are pleased to announce that since we last met, we have a new Keep America Beautiful Certified Affiliate and a new Pre-Certified Affiliate!

9. On September 12th, Liz and I, joined by Sue Smith and April Wennerstrom from KAB, drove to Clarksville and met with the Keep Clarksville Beautiful Committee. Sue, a national trainer, conducted the pre-certification training. We were impressed by the interest and enthusiasm demonstrated by everyone, including Mayor Simpson, and are encouraged that the group will be a strong addition to our growing Northwest Arkansas KAB family.

10. The following day, September 13th, our party was pleased to certify Keep Ft. Smith Beautiful as our 13th Keep America Beautiful affiliate. The training and ceremony received extraordinary coverage in both the Times Record newspaper and on-line editions. The trip to Ft. Smith also offered opportunity to view the recent extensive plantings and attractive murals that adds color, beauty and vibrancy to its inviting downtown.

11. In other positive news, the City of Hot Springs has applied to KAB to form a new affiliate, Keep Hot Spring Beautiful. This move is welcomed as the former affiliate, Hot Springs / Garland County Beautification Commission ceased operation and disbanded in 2014, leaving the city without this important connection and resource. We look forward to working with the city and their newly interested citizens and businesses to their return to our KAB family.

12. Since our last meeting, Keep America Beautiful decertified two affiliates and placed another on the inactive roll. Keep Faulkner County Beautiful and Keep Newport Beautiful lost their KAB affiliation due to lack of compliance; Keep Jacksonville Beautiful is currently inactive pending reorganization. We hate to lose these towns as affinities but will continue to work with them and all groups of people in their efforts to make their communities clean and green. Specifically, in Jacksonville, we will be working with Mayor Fletcher to identify and attract interested citizens to reform and reinvigorate KJB.

13. Additionally, we have two other affiliates that are struggling to retain their good standing status, which is necessary to fully benefit from KAB grants. We are working to assist them in the planning and reporting of their activities and programs, offering to attend their meetings and provide support and guidance toward helping them be successful within their communities.

14. To help all affiliates maximize their understanding of the resources available to them from KAB, and to achieve good standing status to be eligible for them, we will hold a one-day training event on November 16th in Little Rock conducted by KAB Affiliate Trainer, Cecile Carson. As an added bonus, we also are planning on her visiting the Commission Meeting on the 17th to share the KAB strategic overview of the its mission, vision, values and impact goals with everyone.

15. Each year at this time, to retain our good standing status with KAB, we are obliged to submit a State Affiliate Profile and Recognition Report summarizing our program and activities. Our 2016 Annual Report has been filed and a copy sent to all Commissioners. We anticipate that we will receive our seventh consecutive Diamond Award at the KAB Conference in January 2017.

16. The new Go Green hospitality initiative, which was introduced in March at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism, and reported on extensively during our April Commission meeting, was again presented September 20th at the Arkansas Recycling Coalition Conference in Eureka Springs. The presentation was abetted by Keep America Beautiful Recycling Vice President Brenda Pulley, who was also a speaker during the conference.

17. Governor Hutchinson signed a Proclamation again this year observing November 15th as America Recycles Day in Arkansas. To help citizens determine what items are recyclable in their particular area, Liz has worked with ADEQ to identify what items are accepted at Arkansas’ Solid Waste Management Districts.

18. We look forward to seeing everyone at the November meeting – safe travel!