Executive Director’s Report: Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission Meeting: January 21, 2016:

1. Happy New Year! And welcome to 2016; it’s shaping up to be another busy year for the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission program.

2. Perhaps the best way to prepare for a fresh new year is to review some significant highlights of the past one. As always, last year was filled with reoccurring programs, as well as including new ones, that offered fresh occasions for partnerships and reaching new audiences.

3. During 2015 there were several significant changes to the Commission. For the first time ever, three different Commissioners held the title of Chairman during the year. Plus, we welcomed three new Commissioners, Brenda Fendley, Sarah Martin and Jane Phillips. They replaced two whose terms expired, and one resignation.

4. Additionally, the Bylaws were amended to define officer qualification requirements and to permit direct nomination of officers; these enable a process that should be helpful in alleviating future election malfunction. Meeting frequency was voted to be held quarterly, a change that can permit more Commission representation at allied-mission conferences and meetings.

5. We also bid farewell to our longtime supporters, Richard Davies, ADPT Director, and Gloria Robbins, Executive Assistant, as well as our own Administrative Assistant, Brenda Halbert. This staff position remains frozen, impacting operations; also likely resulting in difficulties in 2016.

6. Important contracts were renewed: Mangan Holcomb Partners was retained as our marketing agency; Aristotle continues its role as our internet provider, plus the Arkansas Broadcasters Association’s Non Commercial Sustaining Announcement public service placements repeated.

7. There were several noteworthy events during 2015 where we were recognized for achievement and two others, where we co-sponsored with allied partners, which were instructional:

8. During January’s 2015 Keep America Beautiful National Conference, Keep Arkansas Beautiful received our 10th consecutive State Affiliate Recognition Award, five each Gold and Diamond levels, representing KAB’s highest standards. We will receive our sixth Diamond next month.

9. Also, Liz was recognized for being among the first graduates of the KAB Certified Community Environmental Professional development course and was also named the Young Professional of the Year. I was the speaker during the President’s Circle Award luncheon, additionally receiving a handsome engraved vase to observe my 2012-2014 tenure on the KAB Board of Directors.

10. We were also pleased that seven of our local affiliates received 2014 President Circle Awards for their dedication to excellence and achievement of reaching KAB’s high criteria. Bravo!

11. In March, the Commission received the Outstanding Organization Award from the Arkansas Urban Forestry Council in recognition of our work in advancing the greening of Arkansas.

12. Partnering with the Arkansas Dept. of Environmental Quality and KAB, we presented a one day Waste In Place training event, certifying a dozen teachers across the state, including our own Mary Joe Rogers. And in November we joined with the Arkansas Recycling Coalition in offering a two day seminar directed to help facilitation of recycling during large outdoor events. 13. Last year also produced new levels of participation in our two statewide cleanups, attracting renewed interest and more events, spurred by fresh marketing and new supporting functionality for our coordinators. The gratifying results were translated into eye-catching graphics that gave a viewer a quick and impressive review of the Keep Arkansas Beautiful impact in the state.

14. In promoting America Recycling Day, our substantial on-line presence was ably bolstered by appearances, featuring upcycling examples, on local television by Liz, and Commission Chair Laurie Black, who was also joined by First Lady Susan Hutchinson.

15. The previously mentioned ability to include Commissioners in more associated mission opportunities enabled Commissioners Black, Elrod, Lamb and Rogers to attend the Governor’s Conference on Tourism; additionally, Laurie and Mary Joe attended the ARC Conference.

16. We created a new KAB-Affiliate identity to better recognize our relationship and connection to KAB, along with the state’s local KAB affiliates, in support of the new, one-brand, nationally consistent structure. This amalgamation is representative of Keep America Beautiful’s dynamic transformation to better position itself, and its network of affiliates and partners, as the nation’s thought-leader in community beautification and all of the facets that this scope encompasses.

17. I continued to serve on the KAB State Leaders Council, attending the annual meeting in July, where we reexamined essential qualities of the KAB vision, mission and core values. These will be previewed in February at the upcoming 2016 National Conference. Last fall, I joined KAB Trainer John Duel in presenting a webinar introducing the newly revised KAB National Awards.

18. I am most pleased to report that Keep Ft. Smith Beautiful received its initial KAB affiliate training in December, also attended by Commissioners Pope and McQuade-Heyes, and that, additionally; Keep Camden Beautiful is poised to receive its certification this spring. We eagerly welcome these new communities into our Arkansas KAB family!

19. We can all take pride that 2015 was another year of productive achievement on many levels. Liz and I are grateful to each of you for the time, talent and energy you have affectively given to our program through your service and conscientiousness. A huge Thank You!

20. As we start off a new calendar year, during our January meeting we will need to approve the 2016 meeting schedule and Commissioner Stipend. Also, we will select representatives to attend the Governor’s Conference on Tourism Conference, March 13-15, in Springdale. Additionally, we will instruct Commissioners in preparing new TR-1 Travel Reimbursement Forms.

21. Looking forward into 2016, we anticipate an enthusiastic reception to our new marketing campaign which will be previewed by MHP during the January meeting. Building on the strong foundation we have established through the Shine: Keep Arkansas Clean and Green messaging, we will expand into new areas and meanings, adding fresh relevance to an even wider audience.

22. This focus will also be the basis of a concurrent session’s content we are presenting during the Governor’s Conference on Tourism, March 13-15 in Springdale. Abetted with an invitation to state tourism and hospitality operators to connect with us, it offers them opportunities to join our effort through provided multilevel additions and add credibility to their greening initiatives.

23. Liz will review relevant highlights of the important results of last year’s efforts and the year- end impact our volunteers achieved. She will also preview the 2016 KAB Great America Cleanup in Arkansas program plans. It begins March 1st, prior to our April meeting.