By Michelle Kinsey—
MUNCIE, IN—The 10th annual Neighborhood IDEA Conference will be March 8, 2025, on Ball State University’s campus.
The free event will include a look back at some of the most popular sessions over the last decade and new presentations and panel discussions on local political action, projects, and the first “graduating class” of CenterPoint Scholars, a neighborhood leadership academy.
“We know that our resident leaders look forward to this gathering every year and we want to continue to make it an informative and fun event for everyone,” said Heather Williams, Associate Director for Community Engagement and Program Manager for Building Better Neighborhoods at Ball State, and Muncie Action Plan (MAP) president. “I’m proud when I hear people talk about attending the conference and what they learned while they were there. It’s rewarding to know that the lessons learned are being put into action in our community.”
The Intentional Development and Education for Association (IDEA) Conference brings together more than 100 leaders representing Muncie’s neighborhoods to develop and strengthen community-building skills. CenterPoint Scholars is a year-long academy for future resident leaders who are passionate about enhancing the quality of life in their neighborhoods. The program follows a structured curriculum that encompasses listening, learning, implementing, and celebrating the progress made. The first cohort of 10 Scholars will share their experiences in the academy, designed to equip participants with essential skills for advocacy, resident engagement, and project management.
Frank Scott, who will be one of the presenters at this year’s conference, attended his first IDEA in 2016, right after he was named president of his neighborhood association.
He has not missed one since. “This conference provides seminars and speakers as well as opportunities for questions and discussions that help our neighborhoods grow and develop,” he said. “It exposes us to agencies and opportunities and ideas that we may have never known about otherwise. It acknowledges and celebrates some of the excellent work that is happening and recognizes some of the wonderful people in our community. It also helps us to get to know one another and encourages us to appreciate and support each other.”
Scott said that the great participation at this gathering of neighborhood leaders each year says a lot about our community.
“It says that our community not only values and appreciates our neighborhoods but is also willing to invest in its leaders and create a spirit of unity and collaboration between a variety of cultures,” he said. “It says we are a community that wants to grow and thrive together. It says we are a community that realizes that we are stronger when we not only come together, but also work together toward a common goal.”
The conference will close with an awards ceremony. It’s Williams’ favorite part.
“I love giving out the annual awards,” she said. “It’s always fun for me to make the trash trophies and celebrate neighborhoods who bring residents together to pick up the most trash. I also love recognizing our leaders and their programs. These folks are volunteers, and they give their time because they truly care about their community. Everyone deserves to be recognized for this work and I hope that everyone who attends IDEA feels appreciated.”
And if you’ve never been to an IDEA conference, please consider this your invitation.
“This conference is the best opportunity to meet folks who are passionate about making their piece of Muncie the very best it can be,” Williams said. “We always welcome folks who are new to the work. You don’t have to be a seasoned neighborhood leader to attend. We hope that the conference leaves everyone excited and the work and feeling energized for the year ahead.”
The conference will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. in the second-floor ballroom of the L.A. Pittenger Student Center at Ball State.
To register for the event, or for more information, go to http://www.muncieneighborhoods.org/news-events-2/events/idea/.
The event is hosted by Building Better Neighborhoods, Muncie Action Plan and Shafer Leadership Academy. Contributing sponsors include Ball State’s Office of Community Engagement, City of Muncie, Woof Boom Radio , Ball Brothers Foundation, The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County, HOPE, and the Muncie Sanitary District.
A Decade of Great IDEAs – 2025 Tracks & Breakout Sessions (subject to change)
9-9:30 AM Check-in and Continental Breakfast
9:30-9:50 AM Welcome and Introductions
10-10:50 AM Session Block One – Growing the Population (John West, Presenter), Dignity Across Divides (Melinda Messineo, Presenter), Creative Space Action Plan (Seth Beckman, Kallie Sulanke, Laura Williamson, Presenters), CenterPoint Scholars Projects for Muncie (2024 CenterPoint Scholars, Presenters)
11-11:50 AM Session Block Two – Update on Community Policing (Andy Payne, Moderator; Jeff Stanley, John Foster, Arin Phillips, Jeff Hansard, Panelists), Understanding Local Government Structure and Finance (Chip Taylor, Presenter), Land Banking (Nate Howard, Brad King, Jeb Reece, Presenters), Whitely MAASTS – Mapping and Storytelling System (Frank Scott, Presenter)
12-12:50 PM Lunch
1-1:55 PM Session Block Three – Neighborhoods and Political Participation (Linda Hanson, Presenter), Code Enforcement Panel (Dustin Clark, Moderator; Jason Donati, Tom Fouch, Jeremy Pettigrew, Panelists), Grant Writing 101 (Donna Browne, Presenter), Assessing Educational Needs (Joe Misiewicz, Presenter)
2-3 PM TBA
3-3:30 PM Announcements
