#2BFayetteville

There is no doubt that Fayetteville is a dy- namic, growing community. Every six hours in fact, Fayetteville has a new resident—either by birth or relocation. With that growth comes opportunities and challenges, according to Steve Clark, Chamber Fayetteville president. "Fayetteville is a great place to expand one's opportunities, because we embrace change and improvement," he explains. "Likewise, Fayette- ville is welcoming. Fayetteville and Chamber Fayetteville believe to become a welcomed person in our community one just needs three things. One needs a skill. One also needs a passion. Finally, one must be willing to share." That sharing of skills and passion is the linchpin of the Chamber's impactful Leader- ship Fayetteville program. "Chamber Fayetteville believes that without the intentional development of informed, aware and skilled listeners and leaders, our community will not thrive," Clark notes. The program is "a commitment of Chamber Fayetteville to our beloved city," he says. That commitment began in 1987. The ten-month program meets once a month from August through May and gives participants the opportunity to explore Fayetteville as they develop and enhance their leadership skills. With Class XXXVI now in session the mis- sion of the program endures. "Our goal from the founding of this program was to create a continuous stream of concerned, motivated, and educated individ- uals with diverse talents and interests who are eager to pursue and assume leadership roles and/or civic volunteer opportunities to make Fayetteville a better home for us all," Clark explains. "Our intent was to create a cohort of individuals who are informed about the various segments, programs, goals of our city and region and ready to engage." That network of cohorts now numbers well over 700. Community connection Leadership Fayetteville provides the oppor- tunity for participants to observe firsthand and then inquire of the leaders in charge of local government; social services; NWA economic development; history; quality of life; educa- tion; arts and culture; transportation and state government. Each leadership class devises a class project, and each participant must have an individual project that benefits Fayetteville or its residents in a measurable, specific way. None of the ideas for project efforts come with a budget, but they do come with a deadline to act. Clark cites an example of one the best of class projects—one that has continuously oper- ated for the past five years, changing the lives of a different group of individuals each year. That program happens about two weeks be- fore Christmas. It is directed to assist students at the Fayetteville ALLPS school. Participating students are asked to make a list for an angel tree of the things they need for school to include clothes. Many ask for things like gloves, scarfs and coats. Some wishes are for shoes or a hat/cap. Some of the students ask for their sib- lings. Leadership classes from several years are offered the opportunity to participate. Every year all wishes are fulfilled. "That morning is filled with smiles and some tears as these students get to realize their dreams come true," Clark proudly notes. Program benefits In addition to benefitting the community, the program benefits individual participants. "They are leaders expected to create com- munities of consensus among themselves to achieve success," Clark explains. "They travel to every function and destination as a group, providing opportunities for networking and understanding." From the initial class announcement, Chamber Fayetteville demonstrates its belief and commitment in each participant with a financial investment. Ten months later, at grad- uation, each participant gets a challenge to act. The development of leaders that will con- tribute to the healthy growth and improvement of Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas remains one of the Chamber's most rewarding and impactful goals. It's one more way the Chamber is visioning the future of the region. As Clark notes, "Fayetteville serves as threshold to discover and expand opportunities because when one is suggesting something new or a new process to improve, our response is not WHY? Our response is WHY NOT!" Leading roles Chamber Fayetteville's Leadership Program helps assure the region's continued growth Steve Clark's 10 best things about Fayetteville 1. One of the most incredibly beautiful settings on this planet 2. An abundance of trees 3. An abundance of water 4. An abundance of trails and a myriad of ways to engage 5. An abundance of outdoor recreation 6. A eco-system committed to innovation and opportunity 7. A community not afraid to face change 8. A community that is diverse and dedicated to becoming even more so 9. A nationally recognized healthcare eco-system evolving into a world class healthcare eco-system with two teaching medical schools 10. A strong and vibrant business community 7 Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce

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