MSDL News

--------July 2007--------

MSDI News

http://www.msdi.org/news

Regionalism as a Response to Globalization...Plan Well


Image:  Craighead County MSDL residents welcomed fellow class members to Jonesboro (L-R) Cynthia Miller, Jerry Smith, MSDL Arkansas Coordinator; Jennifer Simmons; and, Harold Dotson.

MSDL participants examined the economic, political and social features of globalization; the nature and impacts, both positive and negative on local communities of global economic restructuring; and, the political economy of regionalism. Organizations from Northeast Arkansas joined the group and provided different perspectives, ranging from a small family-owned business to a global corporation.

"The speakers informed the participants about the importance of globalization to the Delta region and a 'flattening world,' and motivated them to support efforts to make the most of these opportunities in their communities," commented Jerry Smith, MSDL Arkansas Coordinator.

Rick Rorex, Riceland Foods, discussed globalization from the view of the land and international trade. Ana Arias, Hytrol Conveyor Company, focused on Hytrol’s international business. Emma Agnew, Beacons & Bridges, discussed their efforts in creating economic development opportunities for minority entrepreneurs. Henry Torres, with Rural Sourcing, an organization providing high quality IT services and skills to local, national and international companies, shared, "Our 'domestic sourcing' offers the best of both worlds. We combine experienced onsite professionals with remote development teams located in rural communities across America."

Other speakers included Dr. Glen Jones, Arkansas State University; Bill and Joe Dickens, Cache Beauty Supply; Les Lane, Accelerate Arkansas and, Alan McVey, international trade and Accelerate Arkansas.

A class member from Monroe, Louisiana stated, "Globalization is a hot topic, but it’s hard to get a handle on! The speakers provided concrete examples of real-life experiences which made a difficult topic easier to understand."

MSDL is funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation/Mid-South Delta Initiative through Delta State University, serving as the lead partner; Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas and Grambling State University in Louisiana.

For more information, visit the MSDL website at www.msdi.org/leadership or contact Christy Montesi, MSDL Tri-State Director, at 662-846-4336 or by email at cmontesi@deltastate.edu.
 

--------June 2007--------

Jonesboro, AR
Leaders from Three States to Address Globalization and the Delta in Jonesboro
 

June 7, 2007 08:53 AM CDT

JONESBORO, AR - Participants in the Mid-South Delta Leaders program will meet in Jonesboro June beginning today at the Holiday Inn for training and discussions on how globalization impacts the lower Mississippi Delta.

Speakers include representatives from Hytrol, Riceland Foods, Rural Sourcing, Accelerate Arkansas, Cache Beauty Supply, Beacons and Bridges, and the ASU Delta Center for Economic Development.

The MDSL is an 18-month community leadership development program aimed at increasing the intellectual capital in the tri-state Delta region of Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana.

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--------May 2007--------

Our next MSDL retreat is June 7-9 in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and we have a great retreat planned!  We will explore Regionalism as a Response to Globalization…Plan Well.  It will be held at the Holiday Inn in Jonesboro, Arkansas, 3006 South Caraway Road, located on the US 63 Bypass (1-870-935-2030).  On June 7, registration will be from 2:00-2:45, and we will begin promptly at 3:00.  Tabb’s Tardy Tax will continue, so please be on time to avoid the tax!  The attire for the retreat is casual.  We will conclude no later than 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 9. 

On Thursday night, our Arkansas class members will host a mystery movie night…And, they will be starring in the production! 

We look forward to seeing you soon!

--------January 2007--------

Third Class of Mid-South Delta Leaders Program Begins

The Mid-South Delta Leaders (MSDL) journey continues.  Forty-two participants were recently selected to participate in Class III of MSDL, a tri-state community leadership development program operating in the 55 Delta counties/parishes of Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Class members of MSDL are chosen because of their interest in creating positive change and because of their expressed commitment to the region.  “We have an impressive group of men and women of diverse backgrounds with the desire to work collectively for the benefit of the entire tri-state Delta,” commented Dr. Myrtis Tabb, MSDL Tri-State Leader. 

Schlander Johnson, Class III member from Clarksdale, Mississippi, is excited about being selected for the program.  When asked why she applied, she shared, “I would like to leave with a broader perspective of issues facing the Delta our strengths, weaknesses, challenges and successes. I would also like to gain life relationships with people who are committed to improving this region in other areas of influence.  I hope to complete MSDL with an understanding of what role I can play in becoming a more effective leader in the Delta.”

MSDL class members establish valuable networks and deepen their understandings of the regional, national and global opportunities and challenges.  Participants range in age from 23-79 and represent a wide variety of employment sectors; including higher education, K-12 education, government, non-profit, for-profit businesses, self-employment, faith-based organizations and community volunteers.  Obadiah Simmons, MSDL Louisiana Coordinator, commented, “MSDL is unique because of its tri-state focus.  This program has a tri-state regional mission that brings together a diverse group of citizens to enhance the quality of life through human resource development, community development and economic development.”   

MSDL enables these leaders to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the Delta’s socioeconomic and cultural realities and offers techniques to bring about change in their communities.  The program also helps participants gain a better understanding of national and global trends in terms of how these trends influence the quality of life and economic and community development in the tri-state Delta.  Class activities include four, three-day learning retreats, study travel tours to each of the three state capitals; a tri-state Delta Road Trip Study Tour; and, dialogue groups.  The 18-month MSDL curriculum has long-term effects that extend far beyond the structured program.

When asked why Duane Dutka, Class III member from Piggott, Arkansas, joined MSDL, he stated, “I would like to strengthen my leadership abilities in my current involvement in government and community organizations. I would also like to broaden the scope of my involvement in my community as well as my state and the Mid-South region.”

MSDL is funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation/Mid South Delta Initiative throug a partnership between Delta State University in Mississippi, serving as the lead partner; Arkansas State University; and, Grambling State University in Louisiana.

Photo Caption:  (L-R) Dr. Myrtis Tabb, Tri-State Leader, Schlander Johnson, Class III member and resident of Clarksdale, and Christy Montesi, MSDL Tri-State Director.