On April 26-27, the Fanning Institute and the Jekyll Island Authority kicked off the Jekyll Island Master Plan 2012 planning process with the assembling of the expert task forces to begin work. The task forces are one part of a two-part engagement process that will heavily influence the writing of the Master Plan by the Fanning Institute. The second part of the engagement, a statewide stakeholder and public engagement process, will be getting under way in June.

To find out more: Fanning Institute

On March 8, the Polk County Visioning Committee, with the assistance and guidance of the Fanning Institute team, adopted a new vision, mission, guiding principles, and goals related to leadership, education, infrastructure/resources, and economic development to be developed over the next three years. The Development Authority of Polk County signed a contract with Fanning in April 2011 to lead the county through a strategic plan.

To find out more: Fanning Institute

The Vinson Institute signed a contract in March with the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) to study the economic impact of MARTA on the area. The study, scheduled for completion in June, will address the extent to which operation of the public transportation system affects labor market mobility. The Vinson Institute’s Wes Clarke will utilize data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis in addition to responses collected by MARTA’s rider survey to estimate the transit system’s impact. The Vinson Institute conducted a similar study for MARTA in 2007.

To find out more: Carl Vinson Institute of Government

On March 1, SBDC cohosted an event with Google at the High Museum in Atlanta to introduce small business owners to a program offering free Web site development and hosting by Google and Intuit. Approximately 1,000 participants registered, and several SBDC staff served as instructors and exhibitors. This event is one of several that SBDC has been involved in over the past year at the request of Google in partnership with the national Association of SBDCs. 

To find out more: Georgia Get Your Business Online | Archway Partnership

The Georgia Center worked through UGA’s Property Control unit to donate a number of items to Athens Habitat for Humanity, including mattresses, drapery, and other bedding items. The Georgia Center also was approved to donate unneeded office items to the Athens Area Teacher Supply Repository, a nonprofit venture that accepts unneeded office items and allows Athens-area school teachers to take items that are useful in local schools.

To find out more:

On February 29, the Vinson Institute launched GOV360™, the first 360-degree assessment tool designed specifically for government managers. The tool gives them insights into their leadership performance based on feedback from raters and helps them set professional development goals. The launch marks the culmination of a multiyear partnership with faculty from UGA’s Department of Psychology. The Vinson Institute hopes to expand its market nationally and internationally.

To find out more: Carl Vinson Institute of Government

The Vinson Institute signed a contract with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission on February 12 to provide financial management and leadership training to seven “small libraries” throughout the state of Texas. Institute training faculty will travel to sites in Texas beginning in February to conduct the two-day workshops with the goal of giving these library locations access to the knowledge and resources needed to be efficient, well-run organizations. The first day of each workshop will focus on management. Day two will concentrate on financial aspects.

To find out more: Carl Vinson Institute of Government

John Maynard began teaching the SBDC’s new practice management program at Mercer University Medical School. This program is designed to help students who are interested in going into individual or small group practices acquire the basic skills necessary for business success. The program is modeled on the SBDC’s successful efforts with the UGA Colleges of Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine.

To find out more: Small Business Development Center

The SBDC is sponsoring a technology company development program at Emory University in collaboration with the university’s technology transfer program and the UGA Office of Vice President for Research. The program commenced in February and will run for five weeks. It is the second of its kind using the Kauffman Foundation’s FastTrac® TechVenture™ curriculum. It is funded under the federal Small Business Jobs Act. The first program was completed at UGA in fall 2011. Cem Oruc, SBDC Director of Commercialization Services, is coordinating.

To find out more: Small Business Development Center

On February 1, Fanning client Liberty Regional Medical Center (LMRC) was named 2012 Business of the Year for businesses with more than 35 employees by the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce. Skip Teaster and the Fanning team designed, developed, and assisted the client in implementing a planning process that saved 450 jobs and helped return a positive cash flow with funds applied to reserves. LRMC has 525 employees and is the fourth-largest employer in Liberty County. LRMC is planning an $8 million to $12 million renovation-expansion process in 2013.

To find out more: Fanning Institute

1.    The mayor of Athens–Clarke County announced January 19 that the Vinson Institute will play a leading role in the development of an economic development strategic plan for the community. The Institute will facilitate meetings of the new 27-member economic development task force to be led by former state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. The task force will include residents, business owners, education leaders, and representatives from health care providers and local nonprofit organizations. The Institute will facilitate public input meetings during the strategic plan development process and will produce the final report.

To find out more: Carl Vinson Institute of Government

On December 8, 2011, Fanning Institute faculty met with the Polk County Economic Development Visioning Committee and reported the public input findings. The Fanning Institute is helping Polk County devise a community economic development vision and strategic planning process to enhance the county’s ability to market itself. Faculty included Maritza Soto-Keen, Jan Coyne, Carolina Darbisi, Emmett Shaffer, Courtney Tobin, L. B. Teaster, Michael Marshall, John Paul Gallagher-Gonzalez, and Tyler Reinagel.

To find out more: Fanning Institute

The Vinson Institute’s Betty Hudson met with local legislators from the Macon–Bibb County area December 1 to discuss the findings of an Institute study exploring the experiences of Georgia’s three largest consolidated governments—Columbus–Muscogee Augusta–Richmond, and Athens–Clarke. The nonprofit organization New Town Macon had funded the study, which provides a behind-the-scenes view of why the communities pursued consolidation and their experiences during and after the process. The legislative delegation is expected to submit a consolidation charter to the General Assembly in January 2012 for a possible referendum on consolidation in November.

To find out more: Carl Vinson Institute of Government

The Vinson Institute’s local government services unit submitted its final report concerning the effects of census counts of deployed military personnel to the Liberty Consolidated Planning Commission on December 7. The commission had asked the Vinson Institute to examine the impact of the Census Bureau’s counting rules due to concerns of undercounts of the 13,000 military personnel deployed from Fort Stewart. The Vinson Institute report addressed the potential impact that the policy of attributing personnel to state population but not local jurisdiction populations has on reapportionment and funding in areas such as transportation or housing.

To find out more: Carl Vinson Institute of Government

Georgia Power Company notified the SBDC in December that the company will provide a $40,000 sponsorship and $10,000 in participant scholarships to support the SBDC’s new GrowSmart™ program. This is a multi-session training program targeted at businesses that are poised to expand their sales and employment. It is a successor to the Kauffman Foundation’s FastTrac® GrowthVenture™ program, which the SBDC has offered for the past 12 years.

To find out more: Small Business Development Center

1.     The Vinson Institute and the Fanning Institute finalized plans to jointly provide mediation services for local governments that are undergoing the potentially contentious process of renegotiating distribution of the local option sales tax (LOST). Work began with Douglas County and the City of Douglasville on December 15. Through the Vinson-Fanning project, cities and counties will have access to experienced, impartial mediators who are well versed in the intricacies of legal aspects of LOST.

To find out more: Fanning Institute | Fanning Institute

On October 31, 2011, Governor Nathan Deal and Vinson Institute faculty members attended kickoff event for the Georgia Council for the Arts strategic planning process. The Georgia Department of Economic Development asked the Vinson Institute to contribute to the development of the council’s new strategic plan, which will serve as its guide through the next decade. The Vinson Institute will develop the procedures for gathering public input for the plan and facilitate two of the public input sessions as well as a meeting of the council’s board. Vinson Institute faculty members will also help write the final plan after receiving public and stakeholder feedback. The strategic plan will describe the council’s updated mission and its goals for arts education, traditional arts, arts organizations, artist support, and grants.

To find out more: Carl Vinson Institute of Government

On October 24-26, 2011, the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI) held Leadership Summit 33 leadership training at the Evergreen Conference Center in Stone Mountain, Georgia. A total of 160 teacher leaders from the following counties attended and will continue developing their leadership capacity for leadership of system improvement: Athens-Clarke, Carroll, Coffee, Crisp, Griffin, Liberty, Macon, Mitchell, Monroe, Pulaski and Ware.

To find out more: Fanning Institute

On October 22, 2011, an article on UGA's Campus Kitchen Task Force was featured in the Athens Banner-Herald as an example of innovative campus-community partnerships addressing critical local issues such as food waste and insecurity. In October 2011, UGA Campus Kitchen delivered a total of 212 meals to 24 families with the help of 78 volunteer hours. Campus Kitchen is a national organization that seeks to reduce food waste and address food insecurity. The goal of UGA Campus Kitchen is to collect fresh and prepared food from various sources around the community, which would otherwise be wasted, and then use it to prepare nutritious meals that are distributed through programs of the Athens Community Council on Aging in order to alleviate senior hunger in the community. Sponsored by the Office of Service-Learning, UGA Campus Kitchen partners with the Athens Community Council on Aging, Talmage Terrace, the Georgia Center, and the Northeast Georgia Food Bank. UGA Campus Kitchen is the first chapter in Georgia and is the only Campus Kitchen branch nationally focused on alleviating and studying the problem of senior hunger.

To find out more: Office of Service-Learning

On October 14, 2011, a group of Hart County Archway Executive Committee members met on the University of Georgia campus with faculty members from the UGA Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. The group discussed possible avenues for partnership and collaboration between Hart County and faculty members and students in the various engineering majors. This is the first formal interaction between this program and an Archway Community.

To find out more: Archway Partnership

On Friday, October 7, 2011, Office of Service-Learning Director Shannon Wilder; Sarah Jackson, Campus Kitchen coordinator; and Nik Heynen, assistant professor of geography and former Service-Learning Fellow, spoke at the First Friday Eats program sponsored by the Office of Sustainability. They led a discussion about hunger in Athens and how initiatives such as Campus Kitchen and a geography service-learning course known as the Athens Urban Food Collective are striving to alleviate food insecurity. First Friday Eats occurs on the first Friday of each month and is a “green bag” bring your own lunch series, which focuses on different topics pertaining to sustainability in the community.

To find out more: Office of Service-Learning

On October 6, 2011, nearly three dozen leaders participated in the Camden County Economic Development Summit held in Kingsland, Georgia. Leaders representing the county, cities, and institutional partners engaged in a discussion about the future, and crafted a plan and framework to work as a team in making Camden County more attractive to business and industry. The discussion was facilitated by Joy Wilkins and Langford Holbrook of the Fanning Institute.

To find out more: Fanning Institute

On October 6, 2011, the Grady County Archway Partnership held a kick-off community listening session in Cairo, Georgia. Total attendance was 180 with approximately 20 percent of those in attendance from the Hispanic community - the best minority representation to date in an Archway Community.

To find out more: Archway Partnership

On October 5, 2011, some 25 faculty members, students, staff and community members attended the Fall Service-Learning with Latino Communities meeting. This session, held at the Fanning Institute in collaboration with public service associate Maritza Soto Keen and the Latino Interest Group, featured a community panel from partnering organizations for service to Latino communities, information sharing, and discussions on how better to prepare students to engage with Latino communities.

To find out more: Office of Service-Learning

On October 3, 2011, David Mathis, who coordinates the Rural Medical Scholars program for Mercer University in Sandersville, Georgia, traveled to Hawkinsville, Georgia, for a meeting with Archway Partnership Executive Committee member Dan Maddock to talk about the program and tour the Taylor Regional Hospital facilities. The Pulaski County Archway Executive Committee has emphasized interest in finding ways to build a stronger relationship between Pulaski County and the Mercer University School of Medicine. The Mercer Rural Scholars program is one of the community health ideas being developed.

To find out more: Archway Partnership

In October 2011, staff members John Maynard, Teresa Williams, and Roswell Lawrence began their participation in the University of Georgia Public Service and Outreach Leadership Academy.

To find out more: Small Business Development Center

In October 2011, staff member John Maynard was named Assistant State Director for Capital Acquisition. In this role he will be overseeing the Small Business Development Center’s response to the tight credit market for small business owners and enhancing efforts to help owners understand what is required to access debt and equity capital.

To find out more: Small Business Development Center

In October 2011, Beth Melnik, Assistant State Director for Organizational Effectiveness and Marketing, was named Vice Chair of the national accreditation committee for the Association of Small Business Development Centers/U.S. Small Business Administration. This committee oversees accreditation of Small Business Development Center programs on campuses in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.

To find out more: Small Business Development Center

On September 22, 2011, over 30 faculty, students, staff and community members attended the Fall Service-Learning Interest Group (SLIG) meeting at the Office of Service-Learning (OSL). This session provided a venue for information sharing about engagement between campus and community, especially relating to the OSL “engagement hubs” of community food issues, Latino initiatives, and K-12 service-learning.

To find out more: Office of Service-Learning

On September 12-14, 2011, the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI) 2011-2012 held Base Camp 33 leadership training at the Evergreen Conference Center in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Base Camp 33 is a customized leadership development opportunity for teams of district-led and principal-led teacher leaders. The session helps teacher leaders recognize and act upon their leadership role in team-based system improvement that leads to increasing the percentage of students graduating from high school prepared for the demands of college and careers. Participants apply their learning between sessions to create a sense of urgency among key stakeholders around students’ college and career success.

To find out more: Fanning Institute

On September 7-9, 2011, the national Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC) Conference was held in San Diego, California. Four Georgia SBDC faculty members were chosen to present at the conference, which is the principal professional development program for SBDCs across the country. Also, Ron Simmons, area director of the SBDC’s Gainesville office, was recognized as a national ASBDC “Star Performer” for his work with small business owners in Georgia. The conference drew more than 1,500 participants.

To find out more: Small Business Development Center

In September 2011, Archway Professional Mary Beth Chew developed a white paper regarding the need for leadership development programming in Brunswick and Glynn County, Georgia. This white paper will be used to create a new leadership development curriculum in Glynn County and provide a framework to discuss issues and needs within the community, as well as a suggested time line for implementation, and stated goals and outcomes. This paper was shared with the Leadership Development Task Force, as well as with the Archway Executive Committee, for its review and approval.

To find out more: Archway Partnership

In August, the Georgia SBDC Network obtained evidence from the annual economic impact survey that entrepreneurs who utilize SBDC assistance experience employment and sales growth greater than the state average. Key findings show the employment base of the Georgia SBDC Network’s existing business clients grew by 6.1% from 2009-2010, while overall employment levels in Georgia decreased by 1.4%. Also, during the same time period, the SBDC’s existing business clients increased their sales by an average of 10%, while the average Georgia business experienced a 2.5% increase in sales.  Overall, 93% of all existing business clients reported they benefited from working with the Georgia SBDC Network.

To find out more: Small Business Development Center

During summer 2011, the Archway Partnership and 21 CED graduate and undergraduate students joined forces with civic leaders, community members, and governmental agencies from six Archway communities to provide them with enhancement strategies and tools through design. Projects included landscape plans, gateway and entrance designs, trail design, streetscape design, and neighborhood and regional revitalization plans. The Archway communities involved include: Sandersville/Washington County, Brunswick/Glynn County, Clayton County, Hartwell/Hart County, Dalton/Whitfield County, and Moultrie/Colquitt County.

To find out more: Archway Partnership

On August 30, 2011, UGA graduate student David Tully presented Karen Bailey, director of Hawkinsville Better Hometown, with an inventory of existing downtown retail space in Pulaski County. Working with the Downtown Development Authority and Hawkinsville Better Hometown, UGA students, through the Archway Partnership, compiled the information provided.

To find out more: Archway Partnership

On August 25, 2011, the Sandersville Downtown Development Authority hosted a luncheon for local leaders and interested parties to showcase the work of 17 Georgia Institute of Technology students who proposed ideas and plans for usage of vacant second-story properties in downtown Sandersville. Approximately 30 individuals participated in the luncheon and presentation. The event’s invitation was designed by Archway intern Jennifer Taylor.

To find out more: Archway Partnership

On August 23, 2011, Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI) Director Gale Hulme announced The Wallace Foundation is launching a $75 million initiative to help six urban school districts (Charlotte-Mecklenburg, North Carolina; Denver, Colorado; Gwinnett County, Georgia; Hillsborough County, Florida; New York City, New York; and Prince George’s County, Maryland) develop a larger corps of effective school principals and determine whether this improves student achievement across the district, especially in the highest needs schools. GLISI, along with UGA’s College of Education and the University of West Georgia, has been named as a training partner to work with the Gwinnett County, Georgia, school district.

To find out more: Fanning Institute

On August 17, 2011, at the invitation of Georgia Forward, Vinson Institute demography specialist Matt Hauer gave a presentation at the 2011 Forum at Callaway Gardens, Georgia. Forward is a nonpartisan initiative that seeks to connect public-, nonprofit-, and private-sector stakeholders to address some of Georgia’s most daunting challenges, including education, public health, and economic development. Hauer’s presentation detailed the demographic changes taking place in Georgia related to race, age, immigration, and more. His message, centering on the concept that “demography is destiny,” encouraged leaders to consider Georgia’s rapidly changing population dynamics when crafting solutions to the state’s challenges.

To find out more: Carl Vinson Institute of Government

On August 17, 2011, the Grady County Archway Partnership held its first Executive Committee Meeting in Cairo, Georgia. The Executive Committee identified some of Grady County’s greatest assets and opportunities, were presented with an overview of the Archway organizational model, and began laying the foundations for operations. Members of the Executive Committee include representatives from Grady County; City of Cairo; Joint Development Authority; Chamber of Commerce; Board of Education; Archbold Medical Center (Grady General Hospital); Koyo Bearings; Performance Food Group; Woodhaven Furniture Industries; Southwest Georgia Technical College; Cooperative Extension; andThe Cairo Messenger.

To find out more: Archway Partnership

On August 4, 2011, the Vinson’s Institute’s Office of Information Outreach Technology (ITOS) signed an agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation to collect highway data in compliance with the Federal Highway Administration’s Highway Performance Management System (HPMS). ITOS experts will travel to 346 roads designated by the highway administration. Using a video- and GPS-capturing system, they will record data on road characteristics and quality. ITOS will also train representatives in data collection. They, along with a GDOT crew, will survey an additional 442 road segments. HPMS is used in apportioning Federal-aid Highway Program funds to states.

To find out more: Carl Vinson Institute of Government

On July 19-22, 2011, the SBDC exhibited at the Georgia Association of Chambers of Commerce Executives Annual Conference on Jekyll Island. Chambers of Commerce are important collaborators with the SBDC in communities across the state as they are focal points for small business activity. Building and maintaining relationships with chambers is important as they are important resources for referrals and co-sponsorships.

To find out more: Small Business Development Center

On July 8-22, 2011, Danny Bivins and Leigh Askew Elkins led an engaging, service-learning- based course in Costa Rica as part of the College of Environment and Design's Nature and the Environment study abroad experience. With seven graduate and two undergraduate students from the University of Georgia and Washington State University, Bivins and Elkins focused on two projects selected by the San Luis community - redesigning a bus stop that serves as a gateway to the community, and designing amenities for the local soccer field that is heavily used by both children and adults. The experience concluded with a presentation to the community.

To find out more: Fanning Institute

On July 13-14, 2011, Langford Holbrook and Skip Teaster presented the Community Leadership Program (CLP) to 17 citizens of Early County to enhance the community’s capacity to keep an active leadership training initiative for interested citizens. Since state funding for leadership programs was eliminated by the Georgia Legislature, Fanning faculty members are being asked to train communities to run their own leadership programs under the umbrella of “Train the Trainer”. The training process is a two-day approach including an informational portion and a 30-minute action session.

To find out more: Fanning Institute

On July 6-8, 2011, Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement’s (GLISI) Gale Hulme, Leslie Hazle Bussey, and Mary Anne Charron joined a State of Georgia policy team in participating in the Education Commission of the States (ECS) National Forum on Education Policy in Denver, Colorado. The ECS was created in 1965 as a nonpartisan organization to improve education by facilitating the exchange of information, ideas, experiences and innovations among state policymakers and education leaders. ECS has 49 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia as members. The conference theme, Boosting College Completion for a New Workforce, aligns with GLISI’s focus on college and career success. Conference speakers included Hilary Pennington, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Robert Corcoran, GE Foundation President; E.D. Hirsch Jr., Professor Emeritus of Education and Humanities, University of Virginia; and Rick Hess, education policy maven of the American Enterprise Institute Think Tank. The Georgia team included John Barge, State School Superintendent; Joel Thornton, Georgia Department of Education Chief of Staff; Amy Mast, Alliance of Education Agency Heads Director; Lynne Weisenbach, Vice Chancellor, Educator Preparation and Innovation, University System of Georgia; Josephine Reed-Taylor, Deputy Commissioner, Technical College System of Georgia; Melvin Everson, Executive Director, Governor’s Office of Workforce Development; Martha Reichrath, Deputy State Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction, Georgia Department of Education; Gale Hulme, Executive Director, GLISI; Leslie Hazle Bussey, Director of Strategy and Development, GLISI; and Mary Anne Charron, Director of Strategic Programs, GLISI.

To find out more: Fanning Institute

On July 7, 2011, the Hawkinsville-Pulaski Economic Development Committee (HPED) met on the UGA campus with Associate Provost for Economic Development Margaret Wagner Dahl, HERTY Foundation Representative Ross Harding, Vice President for Research David Lee, and Director of UGA’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Alan Adams to explore possible economic development projects in Hawkinsville-Pulaski.

To find out more: Archway Partnership

In July 2011, the SBDC completed the collection of data for its participation in a national SBDC economic impact study. The response rate from clients to requests for information was more than 40 percent, giving the Georgia SBDC one of the highest response rates in the country. An impact report for Georgia will be available next month.

To find out more: Small Business Development Center

On June 25, 2011, Fanning Institute’s Joe Whorton and Danny Bivins delivered a Downtown Development Authority training session at the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) Annual Convention in Savannah, Georgia. Additionally, after 18 months of study and work, the Cities and Downtown: Building Blocks to Recovery project’s implementation strategies were presented to the GMA and the Georgia Cities Foundation. Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and Georgia Cities Foundation President Mike Starr convened a statewide task force and developed strategies and policy recommendations to help cities and downtowns well into the future.

To find out more: Fanning Institute

On June 23, 2011, the Vinson Institute, working with the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, facilitated the first of 12 regional meetings for the Governor’s Competitiveness Initiative in Albany, Georgia. Some 170 business owners and leaders, state and local elected officials, and representatives from development authorities and local chambers of commerce attended the event and discussed ways in which Georgia can improve economic development and create jobs. The facilitator presented the results of a Vinson Institute-conducted, online survey targeted primarily at those same groups that explored respondents’ views on Georgia’s competitiveness.

To find out more: Carl Vinson Institute of Government

On June 23, 2011, experts from the Vinson Institute’s local government services team continued their assistance to the City of Dalton and Whitfield County leaders about the process of consolidation at a meeting of the Dalton-Whitfield County Consolidation and Charter Commission. Having initially consulted the Vinson Institute in early 2011, local leaders urged their state legislators to introduce a bill authorizing the creation of the current commission. The resulting legislation charges the commission with studying the feasibility of consolidation and drafting a charter, which could be presented in a public referendum before county and city voters in November 2012. During the meeting, Vinson Institute presenters described the principles and process of governmental consolidation and answered questions specific to the Dalton-Whitfield context.

To find out more: Carl Vinson Institute of Government

On June 13-17 and June 20-24, 2011, educator workshops were held in the Botanical Garden Visitor Center. Director of Education Anne Shenk led the workshops in cooperation with Carol Hoffman of the Georgia Museum of Natural History.

To find out more: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

On June 14, 2011, the Glynn County Archway Partnership facilitated the Leadership Development Task Force kick-off meeting. Participants were from United Way, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Fourteen Black Men of Glynn, Links, the Chamber of Commerce, Southeast Georgia Health System, College of Coastal Georgia, Altamaha Technical College, Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation, Coastal Regional Commission, and local banks. Community leaders addressed the need to broaden the scope and outreach of leadership development.

To find out more: Archway Partnership

On June 10, 2011, the Clayton Public Health Issue Work Group held its first meeting. The Clayton County Archway Partnership Executive Committee identified Community Health as a priority issue as it affects all facets of the community.

To find out more: Archway Partnership

In June 2011, the Small Business Development Center received notification by the OneGeorgia Authority that a grant to provide outreach services to rural communities will be renewed for FY2012. The grant is a collaboration between the SBDC and the Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute to ensure that rural small business owners have access to training and technical assistance services to help grow their businesses. This is the third year of the grant program.

To find out more: Small Business Development Center

In June 2011, the Fanning Institute joined the Sumter County Archway Partnership Leadership Issue Work Group to share the Fanning Institute models of Leadership Training and Train the Trainer. The Leadership Issue Work Group recognized the need for a curriculum-based leadership development program. Many members of the community who serve in elected, appointed, and leadership positions are aging, and many have not been provided with the tools necessary to serve to the best of their ability. After two local meetings, the group agreed there is a need for curriculum-based training, and Sumter Archway would like to determine the best method and curriculum available to address this community-wide need.

To find out more: Archway Partnership

In June 2011, Maury Gortemiller, photography intern, took photos to assist the Hart County Chamber of Commerce with Hart County’s recent Camera Ready designation (through the Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office (FMDE)). The photos will be used to help pitch Hart County as a potential location for film makers. They also will be used in other materials to promote Hart County as a tourist destination. Gortemiller is also working in Glynn and Whitfield counties on follow-up projects from last summer’s Georgia GAZE project.

To find out more: Archway Partnership

On May 23, 2011, the State Botanical Garden announced that it will participate in Let's Move! Museums and Gardens, an initiative supported by first lady Michelle Obama and national museum and botanical garden leaders that aims to engage 20 million young people in activities and programs in 2012.

To find out more: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

On May 18, 2011, Plant Conservation Days was celebrated in the Visitors Center with The Loraxreadings, a tour of the Threatened and Endangered section of the International Garden, and a plant and seed giveaway. Participants met the conservation and education staff and learned about the work they do in the State Botanical Garden-based Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance.

To find out more: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

On May 12, 2011, the Fanning Institute hosted the first meeting of the Athens-Clarke County Peer Court Design and Implementation Team. The Fanning Institute’s Emily Boness gave a presentation about peer courts and facilitated a discussion about what success might look like in a peer court in Athens. Juvenile Justice Judge Robin Shearer opened the meeting with a charge to the group. Fourteen people attended the session, including probation officers, school representatives, law enforcement officers, lawyers, HandsOn Northeast Georgia representatives, UGA faculty members, and a high school student.

To find out more: Fanning Institute

On May 11, 2011, Public Service and Outreach graduate student James Graves (Institute for Nonprofit Organizations) presented the first stage of a community asset inventory project to the Archway Executive Committee. The executive committee hopes to further develop the inventory, which will facilitate connections and the sharing of resources between individuals and organizations within Hart County.

To find out more: Archway Partnership

On May 9-10, 2011, the Fanning Institute’s Skip Teaster delivered three training sessions at the Community Development Institute (CDI), East in Bridgeport, West Virginia. CDI East was created to train community officials and volunteers in the techniques of modern leadership and management of community development efforts. The program’s curriculum is designed to meet the increasing challenges facing community developers in today’s fast paced society and is applicable for community leaders from towns and cities of all sizes. The CDI East is an affiliate program of West Virginia University (WVU).

To find out more: Fanning Institute

On May 7, 2011, the Gardens of the World Ball was held. This board of advisors annual event is the Botanical Garden’s main fundraiser. This year the French region of Provence was celebrated. Food, wine, decorations, and the gardens were enjoyed by a sellout crowd that helps support the immediate and long-term well-being of the Garden. On May 8, volunteers re-bundled thousands of blooms and delivered them to seniors’ homes and centers across the community.

To find out more: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

On May 3, 2011, the Office of Service-Learning hosted a day-long workshop for local K-12 teachers to learn how to construct, maintain, and utilize school gardens as a venue for service-learning with their students. Thirty participants from local public and private schools and UGA met with horticulture professor David Berle and his graduate assistants for a hands-on session at the horticulture greenhouses and UGArden site on South Milledge Avenue. They constructed compost bins and raised beds for gardens, learned about planting basics, greenhouse use, and how to integrate gardening into their curriculum.

To find out more: Office of Service-Learning

On May 3, 2011, the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement’s (GLISI’s) Leslie Hazle Bussey hosted a webinar for district superintendents and designees. The session was designed to engage prospective districts in shaping a proposal for an Innovation Fund grant. The online meeting resulted in eight district partnerships in two groups that are working together to submit proposals focusing on addressing the unique leadership and achievement challenges at high schools by preparing current and aspiring high school leaders to overcome resistant high school culture, deploy high functioning teacher teams to analyze data, and use post-secondary data to measure, monitor, and manage school goals.

To find out more: Fanning Institute

On May 2, 2011, Assistant State Director Eric Bonaparte facilitated a breakout session at the Start Up America forum in Atlanta, Georgia. This event was one of 10 such meetings organized around the country and hosted by the White House. This is an initiative by President Obama to promote and assist business creation and growth in America. The results of the forums will be used to formulate additional federal policy initiatives.

To find out more: Small Business Development Center

During May 2011, the State Botanical Garden’s research team, under the leadership of Jim Affolter, was awarded a federal Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Conservation Project Support grant of $135,000 to undertake “Restoring Native Plant Species Diversity on the Floodplain at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia”. This was one of just five IMLS grants awarded in 2011 for Conservation Project Support.

To find out more: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

In May 2011, Marine Extension Service-Advisory Services in Brunswick, Georgia, completed a survey to locate and identify residential septic tanks and drinking water wells near state water bodies in Bryan, Effingham, Liberty and Long counties. The project provided a computerized inventory database, maps, and analysis of relevant septic systems and drinking water wells in those counties. The information will assist county health departments with planning for future needs in growing communities.

To find out more: Marine Extension Service

In May 2011, UGA College of Environment and Design students neared completion of an inventory of existing downtown retail space. Utilizing state of the art data base technology, this project will allow potential businesses to quickly scan available properties and refine their search to those that meet their needs.

To find out more: Archway Partnership

On April 26-28, 2011, the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc., State Convention was held at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education. The Botanical Garden hosted an afternoon garden tour on April 26.

To find out more: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

Archway Professional Kim Jackson assembled an Issue Work Group to work on Asset Mapping. The group met for the first time on February 21. This group will help implement the work of Dr. Michelle Carney, UGA School of Social Work, and graduate students from the Institute for Nonprofit Organizations.

To find out more: Archway Partnership