Clinton Executive Director Council launches to strengthen collaboration among community organizations.
Special to The Clinton Courier
Leaders representing organizations from across Clinton came together Sept. 3 for the first meeting of the newly created Clinton Executive Director Council, an effort designed to improve communication, strengthen relationships and create new opportunities for collaboration throughout the community.
State Rep. Clay Mansell organized the council after recognizing that many of Clinton’s organizations regularly work toward similar goals but rarely have an opportunity to gather in the same room and hear directly from one another.
The council includes leaders from local government, economic development, business, nonprofit, civic and community organizations. During the inaugural meeting, representatives were given an opportunity to provide brief updates about their organizations, current projects and upcoming plans.
Mansell said the updates are important, but the larger goal is to create connections that continue well beyond the meetings.
“Clinton has a lot of great organizations and a lot of people working every day to make our community better, but there really wasn’t a time when all of those people came together in one room,” Mansell said. “That is why I created the Clinton Executive Director Council. My hope is that someone hears what another organization is working on and realizes there is an opportunity to partner, share resources or help connect them with someone they need. The real success of this group will be what happens between the meetings.”
The council is expected to meet twice each year, allowing participating organizations to provide updates while giving leaders an opportunity to develop stronger working relationships.
Mississippi College President Dr. Blake Thompson said bringing community leaders together can strengthen both individual organizations and Clinton as a whole.
“Mississippi College is proud to be part of a community where so many organizations are committed to making Clinton an even better place to live, learn, work and serve,” Thompson said. “Creating opportunities for leaders to communicate and collaborate helps all of us better understand the work taking place across our community and identify ways we can support one another.”
The Clinton Chamber of Commerce was among the organizations represented at the first meeting. Chamber Executive Director Nate Jarnagin said increased communication among community organizations can lead to stronger partnerships.
“One of Clinton’s greatest strengths has always been the people and organizations willing to work together for the good of the community,” Jarnagin said. “The Clinton Executive Director Council gives us another opportunity to stay connected, learn what others are working on and look for ways our organizations can partner. Those relationships can make a real difference for our businesses, residents and the entire Clinton community.”
Mansell said the idea grew from seeing successful partnerships already taking place among some Clinton organizations and wanting to encourage more of those relationships.
Rather than establishing another organization with its own programs or projects, the council is intended to serve as a forum where existing organizations can communicate about the work they are already doing and identify areas where their efforts may overlap.
“If two organizations leave a meeting and end up working together on something that might not have happened otherwise, then we accomplished what we set out to do,” Mansell said.
Additional information about the Clinton Executive Director Council, including participating organizations and members, is expected to be released as the council continues to develop.
