Keep
The year 2002 proved to be another year of challenge and accomplishment for the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission. This report will highlight significant activities and achievements of the KArB Program.
Continuing interest and growth in our Statewide Affiliate Network resulted in a year-end membership total of 86 organizations, representing 66 separate communities within 45 counties. As more communities are increasing their efforts toward litter control, better waste management policy and scenic beautification improvements, they are attracted by guidance and support opportunities from KArB. Accordingly, new Affiliate Guidelines were approved defining affiliate responsibilities and establishing a July through June reporting year. These were presented at a reception in the Governor’s Conference Room where new coordinator for Affiliate Services, Jack Singleton, was introduced.
KArB Program
Accomplishments: At the January Commission meeting, committee goals
were established and timelines were developed to aid in planning and
coordinating the following events and activities:
KArB Statewide Affiliate
Conference (February):
Our third annual conference,
held in
KAB Great American Cleanup
(March-April):
Our five KAB local affiliates
were joined by 17 other communities and/or groups in conducting 270 cleanup
events involving some 3,600 volunteers who collected over 72 tons of bagged
trash. Additionally, 10 communicites
held events involving planting, painting or recycling elements.
Keep
The Governor's proclamation
event was enhanced by a performance of fifth grade students from Cabot who sang
our new campaign signature song, Take It
Back! The launch of the spring media
campaign utilizing the theme followed.
The KArB Statewide Awards program was changed from the traditional,
elegant Luncheon-in-Little Rock format in favor of public presentations to
award winners in their communities, featuring receptions and press coverage to
publicize locally, as well as statewide, the projects and those involved. During April, the Commission awarded 42
awards in 26 different venues across the state.
These included 12 Awards of Excellence, 18 Distinguished Service Awards
and 12 Student winners, six each for the KArB Poster Contest and Essay
Competition.
Great
Rewarding growth, surpassing
even the GAC 2001 successful campaign, resulted in 60 cleanup events in 54 of the
state's 75 counties with increases in trash bag collection up 400% to more than
125,000; highway miles, up 63%, to over 3,700; and park/public areas cleaned,
up 9%, to 135 sites. Miles of shoreline
cleaned decreased to 196 from last year's high of 556. The nearly 16,000 participants collected more
than 1,289 tons of trash and closed 14 illegal dump sites. Approximately one-fourth of the refuse was
recycled.
A Speaker’s Bureau guidebook was also produced, containing sample speeches and an accompanying new four-minute video that comprehensively covers the KArB mission, program and activities. Scripts, posters and program covers were produced to support the 17 minute theatrical production, Clean Getaway, an anti-littering and recycling focused play available free to schools and groups wishing to perform it.
Keep
Two new Commissioners were appointed during the year by Gov. Mike Huckabee:
Rev. Thurston Lamb represents the 2nd Congressional District and chairs the Minority Committee. Gelene MacDowell, representing the 3rd District, chairs the Wildflowers Committee.
In August, Jack Singleton joined the KArB staff, bringing his valuable experience and fresh energy to our Affiliate Services position. Additionally, the KArB Media and Public Relations RFP solicitation resulted in seven advertising agencies submitting interest and qualifications for consideration. The Commission retained the services of the Mangan Holcomb Rainwater Culpepper Agency, recognizing their valued performance and contribution to the KArB information and public awareness efforts.
Commission Outreach and Support: KArB Commissioners and Staff attended the Governor’s Conference on Tourism and the Arkansas Recycling Coalition Annual Conference, participating in programs and holding a Commission meeting in conjunction with each. In keeping with its desire to offer more communities the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the work of the KArB Commission, six of its 11 meetings were held in new venues this year: Fayetteville, Hot Springs (two different sites) and Conway, and at the Arkansas Arts Center and Quapaw Council Boy Scouts of America in Little Rock. During 2002, KArB Staff and Commissioners participated in over four-dozen allied events and activities sponsored by governmental agencies, schools, communities and civic organizations in support of our mission goals.