“Insight Team” Provides Affiliate Focus Keep America Beautiful strives to be a learning organization, constantly seeking guidance from its State Leaders Council and local affiliate directors. Early in 2010, KAB surveyed its affiliate network on a variety of topics; a byproduct of the survey was the formation of an “Insight Team” of affiliate leaders as a way for KAB to receive additional input from the network. The goals of the Insight Team are to establish a mechanism for an ongoing conversation with affiliates; gain broad feedback; and identify ways that the national organization can learn from its affiliates’ experiences. In short, the Insight Team is serving as an internal KAB “focus group,” helping KAB provide well-designed, peer-reviewed programs.
The Insight Team facilitators Esther Anderson, Keep Terre Haute Beautiful (IN) Betty Barnhardt, Keep Sherwood Beautiful (AR) Lesa Bellin, Keep Guntersville Beautiful, Inc. (AL) Sherrie Cochran, Keep Tupelo Beautiful (MS) Lori Gummow, Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful (IL) Debbie Homer, Farmington Clean & Beautiful (NM) Connie Librenjak, Keep Riverside Clean & Beautiful (CA) Carol Morton, Keep Athens Beautiful (TX)
Waste in Place To make educational materials more relevant for a present-day audience, KAB formed a “Next Generation” team consisting of experts in academia as well as representatives from youth organizations, federal agencies and KAB affiliates. The Next Generation team began a process to update the “Waste in Place” environmental activities for pre-K to 6th graders, and to modify other materials relating to youth programs and education. Waste in Place features interactive lessons and activities designed to develop awareness and knowledge about litter prevention, beautification and community greening, waste reduction and recycling. In addition to a new look, all of the newly-developed content will include more background information for each learning activity as well as how much time each activity takes to complete. All activities now feature technology-related supplements, and enrichment activities have been expanded to include relevant topics such as sustainable packaging and wetlands.
Jane Polson, Keep Nebraska Beautiful (NE) Elizabeth Reed, Keep Sevier Beautiful (TN) Susan Russell, Keep Mandeville Beautiful (LA) Bill Sanders, Keep Pinellas Beautiful, Inc. (FL) Sara Ann Swida, Keep Liberty Beautiful (GA) Karen West, Keep Genesee County Beautiful (MI) Michael Woodruff, Keep Milliken Beautiful (CO)
In addition, a Parent Guide with “Big Idea” sheets is being designed that provides activities and reminders that can reinforce key concepts. New books, games, posters, songs and story cards are also in development with underwriting from The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company Foundation.
Keep America Beautiful, Inc.
2010 Annual Review