Collective Impact is working with faculty members of the University of Tennessee Knoxville, Center for Sustainable Business and Development, Department of Political Science, and Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management to conduct a research project to better understand Appalachian tourism and identify opportunities to grow tourism activities and encourage business development throughout the region. The project is funded through a competitive grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) - a federal economic development agency. The project is the largest and most comprehensive study of tourism ever conducted by the commission, which covers 205,000 square miles across 420 counties in 13 states. Results of the study will help us better understand the state of tourism of the region, new growth areas for tourism in Appalachian communities, and best practices and successful strategies to help the communities succeed. The project will use research, surveys, site visits, and focus groups as part of the research method. The project also will identify communities to use as case studies to illustrate local tourism success stories and best practices for tourism business development.
Collective Impact worked with the West Virginia Nonprofit Association and United Way of Southern West Virginia to develop and deliver training workshop services. The training workshop Building Bridges for Community Impact was provided in four regions through the state for a variety of nonprofit organizations and community groups. The workshop engaged participants in interactive learning experiences to increase understanding, capacity, and action around regional/local collaboration. Participants learned about the importance of collaboration in general and specifically leveraging new partnerships to reach common desired outcomes and gain support from funders. The session addressed the "nuts and bolts" of collaboration and community-level work, the importance of working together in a rapidly changing environment, the "collective impact" approach, and engaging in collaborative team work for greater impact and results.
"The City of Shinnston was awarded a Flex-E Grant to increase our community capacity through leadership training. We once again called upon Bruce Decker and Collective Impact to facilitate sessions on visioning, team building, motivation, cultural competence, and leadership. The exercises designed for these sessions were challenging, thought-provoking, and highly effective. I have also personally been through other training sessions led by Bruce at conferences put on by Create West Virginia and the WV Community Development Hub. I've never been disappointed; Bruce always delivers results." ~ Debra Herndon - City Manager, City of Shinnston, WV
