Create West Virginia

We need resources to put ideas into plans, plans into actions, and actions into concrete results. These resources include people, knowledge, tools and of course money. Improving our communities is hard work, but can and does get done! Connecting resources with elements that improve success make the work easier. The sessions in this track are about how to reach those concrete results.

Track Leader: Herk Conner, Partner(s): Anne Durham, Leslie Stone

10:15 AM Monday 10/19 Steps to Engaging Citizens - How it Really Works in Communities

People are talking about engaging everyday citizens in the work of community development. Come learn about the steps to getting the public excited about and connected to improving their neighborhoods, towns and rural areas. You’ll hear about how these steps have actually worked in real WV communities, with examples of both resources and techniques.

11:30 AM Monday 10/19 Sustainability: What's Love Got to do with It?           

What does it mean to be sustainable? Is it possible for your projects, organizations, and businesses to become self-perpetuating? What can we learn from business that can help us understand what resources we need to start, keep things going, grow and even replace. Please come to this session to learn about break-even analysis, different types of costs, and even how to figure out the correct rent to charge for an apartment. Come and learn what sustainable means and how business applications can improve your community work.

2:15 PM Monday 10/19 Partnering With Your Local Government - What you should or should not expect

We often complain about government without knowing the whole story.  Come hear from a panel of local government officials that are actively involved in community development work.  Learn how to approach local government, partner with government officials and how to work around barriers together.  Panelists include: Matt Wender, Fayette County Commissioner, Reta Griffith, Pocahontas County Commissioner, Charles Holley, Huntington City Planner, Others TBD

3:30 PM Monday 10/19 Partnering With Your Local Government - continued

10:00 AM Tuesday 10/20 Realizing a Creative Community

Create Huntington engaged Collective Impact, LLC to conduct their community and economic development assessment and strategic planning project.  Learn about the process that Create Huntington went through to envision, plan for, and realize its future!

11:15 AM Tuesday 10/20 Developing Leadership Skills for the New Economy

Leaders are needed at all levels of community and within organizations.  Top down authority will no longer get us where we need to be in the 21st Century.  This session highlights the skills leaders need to excel in a Creative Economy.  You will practice strategies for developing your own leadership skills and supporting others to cultivate theirs. 

 Register for Create WV today!