VIDEO: 2018 IDEA Conference

Each year the IDEA conference has brought together over a hundred leaders representing Muncie’s neighborhoods to develop and strengthen community-building skills. Take a look at this year’s conference.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihkKWvCmeqE&feature=youtu.be

Gatewood Neighborhood Gates Restoration Project

Gatewood has completed the neighborhood-sponsored leveling, cleaning, tuck-pointing and restoration of their historic Gate Pillars installed almost 100 years ago in 1927.  Here are some before and after photos of the Gate Pillars at University And Forest Avenues.

 

Neighborhood Learning Opportunities

Several great opportunities to improve your neighborhood are coming your way starting this summer! All sessions will occur at the Innovation Connector, 1208 W. White River Blvd.  Tickets will be available on Eventbrite and offered through the Muncie Action Plan Facebook event page, so like and follow them for sign-up info!  Food will be provided.   See below for a list of what’s in store!

INTERACTING WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT

City Government: Citizen Access to Our City Government

Monday, August 6, 2018 (5:30 – 7:00 PM)
This session will cover the basic structure, offices, and activities of your city government.
Participants will understand the various responsibilities of the departments, with a special
emphasis on services.
Presented By: Bowen Center for Public Affairs, Ball State University

County Government: Citizen Access to Our County Government

Monday, September 3, 2018 (5:30 – 7:00 PM)
This session will cover the basic structure, offices, and activities of your county
government. Participants will understand the various responsibilities of the departments,
with a special emphasis on services.
Presented By: Bowen Center for Public Affairs, Ball State University

State Government: Citizen Access to Our State Government

Monday, October 1, 2018 (5:30 – 7:00 PM)
This session will cover the basic structure, offices, and activities of your state government.
Participants will understand the various responsibilities of the departments, with a special
emphasis on services.
Presented By: Bowen Center for Public Affairs, Ball State University

FUNDING

Crowdfunding Basics for Your Neighborhood

Monday, November 5, 2018 (5:30 – 7:00 PM)
Crowdfunding platforms such as Go Fund Me, Kickstarter, and Patroncity offer unique
opportunities to raise funds for your neighborhood. In this session we will review the
basics of these platforms along with fundamental strategies for implementation.
Presented By: Mitch Isaacs (Shafer Leadership Academy), Aimee Fant (Muncie Action Plan), Heather
Williams (Building Better Neighborhoods)

Dues Collection Strategies

Monday, January 7, 2019 (5:30 – 7:00 PM)
Several local neighborhood association use “dues” to fund their efforts. Join us for this
panel discussion where panelists will share their strategies for due collection.
Presented By: panel of local associations

Engaging Local Businesses

Monday, February 4, 2019 (5:30 – 7:00 PM)
The businesses in your neighborhood can be great assets. In this session we will discuss the
methods for making local businesses partners in your neighborhood. Business engagement
goes beyond fundraising and incorporates various strategies for including business in
decision making, planning, and implementation.
Presented by: panel of local associations


Presented in Partnership:

Shafer Leadership Academy Logo    Building Better Neighborhoods logo

Funding Provided by: 

Vectren Foundation Logo

Reber Woods

Reber woods is a diverse, wetland area that was recently acquired by Muncie-based Non-profit Organization Red Tail Land Conservancy. With the help of nine Ball State Students, Red Tail and students a part of the sustainability immersive learning course are working together to create a nature preserve on the property to ensure the healthy development of the ecosystems that are located there. Ideas for a –net-zero energy, sustainable structure –that would serve as a headquarters for the organization have been mapped out by architect and urban planning students. Nature trails and educational material about the wildlife on the land are being considered by biology students. Additionally, community outreach programs hosted by the marketing and journalism students are also underway. These parts are coming together to create a space for the Muncie Community to learn about sustainability, wetlands, various tree species, and several types of wildlife that are native to the area.


Faculty Mentor: Kevin Kenyon
Department: Sustainability Minor Program
Community Partner: Red Tail Land Conservancy
Students: Holly Biller, Tyler Freudenthal, April Hart, Breanna Heath, Andrea McDermott, Paul Nicholas, Noah Porter, Ki Shirey, Lena Spotts

Professional Practice for the Visual Artist

This immersive learning project covered professional practices for the visual artist from administration through creative production and final presentation involving 3 components: arts management, production and exhibition, and a professional toolkit. An interdisciplinary group of students worked with the Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MACC) to develop 3 projects: PlySpace Artist Residency, a new NEA funded artist in residence program; That One Film Festival, a 2-day event featuring experimental film from around the world, and the production of a a community engaged public artwork.


Faculty Mentors: Brent Cole, Maura Jasper
Department: School of Art
Community Partner: Muncie Arts and Culture Council
Students: Alexis Brooks, Danielle Campbell, Mallory Creekmur, Veronica DeBone, Mike Dorsey, Mikey Higgins, Megan Lange, James Lupkin, Rowan Mayo, Summer Moore, Megan Sutton

Philosophy for High School Students

Philosophy encourages students to ask questions, look at familiar things in new ways, listen to one another, and examine personal beliefs and positions. It is a fantastic way for high school students to learn about themselves and the world around them. It also helps them prepare for their futures in a complex, ever-changing world. Students in this immersive learning class explored best practices in philosophy education for high school students, ran a high school philosophy club at Muncie Central, and finally, planned and hosted an innovative, state-wide, high school philosophy conference at Ball State.


Spring 2019

Faculty Mentor: Sarah Vitale
Department: Philosophy and Religious Studies
Community Partner: Muncie Central High School
Students: Mendim Akiti, Hannah Bartholf, Kasey Brandenburg, Grace Dudas, Daniel Klinestiver, Zoe Lawson, Abigail Meus, John Rash, Cameron Surdyk, Dusti Troyer, Alexis Wood


Spring 2018

Faculty Mentor: Sarah Vitale
Department: Philosophy and Religious Studies
Community Partner: Muncie Central High School
Students: Justin Archer, Hannah Bartholf, Elizabeth Bolinger, Daniel Klinestiver, Zoe Lawson, Michael Mares, Owen Miller, Luke Owens, Gabriel Shetterley, Lexi Wood