Working for Northwest Arkansas in Washington D.C.

While most of us were tending to day to day tasks in Northwest Arkansas this October, a dedicated group representing our community visited Washington D.C. to advocate a number of issues on our behalf.

Mayors and chamber of commerce leaders representing the five largest cities in Northwest Arkansas - Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, Siloam Springs and Springdale - visited the nation's Capitol to oppose stricter phosphorus levels as well as ongoing transportation needs.

The group met with Congressional leaders (Senators Pryor, Lincoln and four Congressmen) regarding regional infrastructure issues as well as the Federal Highway Administration and representatives from the Secretary of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Martine Downs Pollard, senior vice president of government affairs for the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, posted updates on the trip via Twitter:

- Boarding flight to DC for NWA Regional Leaders Fly-In, meetings scheduled w Congressional leaders, EPA & FHWA 11:32 AM Oct 7th from mobile web

- Great business dinner at B Smiths @ Union Station, DC One last briefing for tomorrow's mtgs It's going to be a fast and furious day tmrw! 7:48 PM Oct 7th from web

- Just wrapped up meeting with NWA mayors and chambers execs with reps from Fed Highway and Sec. of Trans. in DC 9:24 AM Oct 8th from mobile web

- Finished Arkansas Cong Luncheon with Cong Boozman, Cong Ross & Cong Berry and staff in Cannon bldg...now off to meet with EPA staff 11:33 AM Oct 8th from mobile web

- What a productive day in DC. Good mtgs & reception from EPA, FHWA & OMB. I'm cautiously optmstc @ our asks. Even saw Obamas mtrcde up close 5:35 PM Oct 8th from mobile web

Additional press coverage on the NWA Mayors & Chamber Execs trip to DC:

http://tinyurl.com/yjs8ev3

http://tinyurl.com/yfso6jb

http://tinyurl.com/yf3zwle

http://tinyurl.com/yh5tx3h

To keep up with government affairs activities in real-time, follow Martine: http://twitter.com/Martine1 or learn more and contact her directly regarding monthly government affairs committee meetings, legislative and candidate forums, efforts by NWA Emerging Leaders related to political and government affairs or to subscribe to email updates.

More information and contact information: http://www.rogerslowell.com/GovtAffairs/.

Have an opinion? Don't keep it to yourself!

We mentioned leadership programs in an earlier post (http://rogerslowellchamber.blogspot.com/2009/07/ready-to-lead.html), but it seems appropriate to revisit the topic given the comments from the two mayors who met with one of our NWA Emerging Leaders (www.NWALead.com) workgroups a week ago. They said the obvious: their council chambers (and mailboxes) are full when people are opposed to something, but empty when they are for it.

It brings up a critical problem that every community faces: awareness and engagement in community planning, political and government affairs and business issues. Both mayors implored our emerging leaders to get involved, even if it meant taking turns attending city council and community meetings and reporting to others.

Once in a while, issues arise for city council or mayoral consideration that seem like "no-brainers." As such, no one shows up to support them, and one lone detractor (or a group of disgruntled individuals who look at the short-term rather than long-term outcomes) can derail issues that are of benefit to the greater community. As Mayor Womack put it: "if you emerging leaders will attend city council meetings, for example, you can assess issues where your city leadership might encounter some whitewater and use a grassroots effort to inform and engage your peers and the community. That can make all the difference."

We see it locally with bond issues and school millage elections, nationally with candidates for office and a million places in between. Another point raised by the mayors counteracts the statement we all hear often that "there are no good politicians." Most people do not run for political office with anything but the best of intentions. Admittedly, some lose their path. But by all means, do not complain about the process, the politicians or the problem if you're not willing to participate.

It's one of the reasons we still get excited about the political process at the Chamber - each and every individual can affect it personally. The idea that your feedback, your ideas or your vote don't matter is antiquated, and certainly not characteristic of the future. Don't assume that "good" ideas will pass, or that the "right" candidate will be elected. It's not your position or your opinion that matters to us - it is your participation.

Ready to lead?

There are so many ways to get engaged and make a difference as a leader in your community, and to positively impact the place where you live, work and play. Sometimes, though, it is easy to mark leadership development as a life goal, but never take any real action toward it. If personal, professional or even political leadership development is on your life list, move it to an action item. Here are two avenues:

Leadership Benton County is a program offered in partnership by the Bentonville/Bella Vista, Rogers-Lowell and Siloam Springs chambers of commerce. Intended to serve as training ground for future leaders, it's an excellent way to develop skills, connections and community knowledge. Participants commit to one Thursday per month during the nine month program (August - May) along with a couple of in-state overnight trips. Applications and information on the class of 2009-2010 are currently available at www.LeadershipBentonCounty.com, and aps are due by Friday, July 10. If it isn't a fit for you or you've already participated, share the link with a team member, friend or other rising star and encourage them to apply!

NWA Emerging Leaders is a relatively new program envisioned as a substantive program for dedicated professionals who wish to be actively engaged in the Northwest Arkansas community, and serves as an ideal springboard for graduates of Leadership Benton County looking to plug in (LBC participation is not required). NWAEL consists of quarterly programs with active workgroups tackling issues and projects of importance to members. The program is intended to create legacy through succession planning, develop candidates for public and private boards and commissions and groom individuals to serve and lead our dynamic communities. While it is an initiative of the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, chamber membership is not required for participation. Find more information or apply at www.NWALead.com, or follow the group at www.Twitter.com/NWALead.

Case in point:

This morning, one of the Emerging Leaders workgroups met with Rogers Mayor Steve Womack and Bentonville Mayor Bob McCaslin. The ensuing dialogue on existing and planned recycling and sustainability initiatives in both communities as well as opportunities for bright talent and emerging leaders to plug in was exciting to observe. Best of all, both Mayors captured the essence of the program: the opportunity to share their enthusiasm for service and leadership as well as their tips on success and a few battle wounds with eager young professionals. These emerging leaders can not only support their current leaders and engage others, they will be groomed in the process to serve or run for office themselves. It's exhillerating to watch a concept or idea being executed: here was a group of ready, willing and able new talent who were as anxious to listen and learn from these established community leaders as they were to slowly, respectfully begin the process of preparing themselves and their peers to take the helm.

Jump in, learn, serve and lead!