The 15 members of the 2016 Leadership Magnolia class has selected their annual project: They will install street pole banners in the city and replace trash cans around the square with recycling/trash receptacles.
In early September, the group went to Camp Winnamocka in Arkadelphia for an annual retreat, which is where they brainstormed ideas for their project. "They do that every year to get everyone more oriented. We do a lot of team-building," Crystal Sharp, chairperson of the class, said.
Leadership's goal is to raise $40,000 to procure seasonal, City of Magnolia, and SAU banners, and the recycling/trash containers. Both facets of the project are aimed at beautifying the city while increasing the city's green initiative and awareness of recycling. To that end, fund-raisers will be ongoing, so far including the dunking booth that was at the fall festival downtown and a drawing for a tailgating package.
"Now we're working on the poker tournament, which is coming up in January," Sharp said. The third annual Magnolia Hold'em Poker Tournament will be held at the Magnolia Arts Center on January 23 and is the group's primary fund-raiser. "I just got word today from MK Distributors that they're going to sponsor our event. So, hopefully, that goes well. We've got our place and we've got the food and we've got some beer. Next we have to work on the tickets and publicizing it," she said. "We're excited about it."
The poker tournament will be open to anyone over the age of 21, and tickets will be sold at Farmers Bank, Studio, and Jennifer's. "Last year they had almost 50 poker players. Hopefully we get at least that if not more. We've estimated 50 to 75 players," Sharp said. Leadership is seeking table sponsors and auction items for the event, as well as in-kind donations or sponsors from local community leaders and businesses.
Plans are in the works for a county-wide art contest to come up with designs for some of the banners, as well as an Earth Day event in April to reveal the receptacles around the square. Any recyclable materials collected will benefit Abilities Unlimited, Inc., which operates the recycling center on West University.
Sharp and her family moved to Magnolia in January this year, and she reflected on how Leadership has affected her. "Our class has been great. It's been a good experience for me, just moving here, to meet people and get to know the businesses and different industries around town. I don't work now but if I eventually end up working here I would have a good idea, after visiting all these different businesses, where I would want to work," she said. Being the chairperson of Leadership has been more work than she expected but, she said, "I'm happy to do it, I enjoy it. Just doing something for the community is nice."
Leadership Magnolia was founded in 1995 to promote leadership skills in the city and surrounding communities. Its mission is to improve the quality of life in the area by developing leaders who will recognize, address, and find solutions to critical issues. Participants are sought who have a sense of personal responsibility, willingness to sacrifice for the welfare of others, and courage to accept, understand, and overcome challenges. Anyone who would like to contribute to or learn more about Leadership Magnolia is invited to visit their Facebook page or to contact the Chamber of Commerce.