Civic Arkansas is the Institute’s collaborative initiative to improve Arkansas’s civic health, with a focus on building pathways for connectedness and strengthening local communities. The program flourishes through a dynamic network of civic leaders known as Civic Activators, who unite communities across the state to address local challenges through collaborative problem solving.
Background and Involvement with Civic Arkansas
Van Buren County Judge Dale James has served his county since January 2019 and is currently in his second term. Lindsey French from the Association of Arkansas Counties invited him to represent the counties in Civic Arkansas.
Before the first Civic Arkansas Summit in February 2024, Lindsey French from the Association of Arkansas Counties invited James to represent the organization during the program. He eagerly accepted, saying he would love to take on this opportunity.
At the summit, James discovered a deep passion for the initiative and eagerly embraced the opportunity to become more involved, eventually becoming an Activator.
First Listening Session and Community Feedback
His passion for Civic Arkansas led Van Buren County to host the first community listening session. 20 community members attended the session, which aimed to identify community themes such as deficiencies, the status of civic spaces, and the news media in the area.
James asked Shanna Chaplin, chief program officer at the Institute, to excuse him from the room so attendees would feel comfortable giving honest and unfiltered feedback.
“I wanted them to speak about me,” he said. “Is your county judge listening to you? Is your county judge an active part of your community?”
Transformational Experience and Opposing Views
James continues volunteering to be a part of Civic Arkansas because of its transformative nature.
“It’s been really good to be in the same room as people with whom I haven’t had the same mindset,” he said, adding that hearing opposing views allows him to make better decisions, empathize with those views, and continue trying to improve community relations.
“When people start to bash their county judge on social media, I try to put myself truly into their position to see why they feel the way they do,” James continued. “Not just get on the defensive and say, ‘Oh, that’s not the way it is,’ and bow up and get angry as many do. I’m trying to empathize with the opposing views and see what I can change to make things better, and that part of it has been truly transformational.”
Role in Civic Arkansas and Community Engagement
James’s role in Civic Arkansas includes community outreach and advocacy, with some involvement in education.
He has adapted educational activities for younger grades and even presented at the state’s Future Business Leaders of America conference.
During the activities, James explained the role of a county judge in the quorum court and how tax dollars are collected and used. He strived to make the topic fun and interactive, ensuring everyone stayed engaged and better understood the processes.
Van Buren County also hosts “Get to Know Your Government” sessions at the local library. During the first session, James informed the community about the county judge’s role, emphasizing that these positions answer directly to the people, not other elected officials.
This session was well-attended. 60 community members filled the room, showing a strong interest in learning about government roles. Former Secretary of State John Thurston also spoke to the community about his role.
James believes these sessions are powerful educational opportunities that have emerged from his involvement with Civic Arkansas.
“Everything about Civic Arkansas passes the rotary four-way test,” he said. “Being a county judge and a part of the County Judges’ Association of Arkansas aligns well with Civic Arkansas.”
The county judge encourages people and organizations interested in becoming activators or getting involved with Civic Arkansas, saying, “Let’s get you signed up. It will change the way you think about and view things.”
He also said, “It doesn’t make you more liberal or conservative; it just makes you more aware, a better listener, and a more thoughtful responder to the circumstances around you.”
Community Superpower
At first, James humorously said that if he could have any superpower, it would be a magic wand that would instantly make all his problems disappear.
“So many of our issues come down to funding, but when it comes to what we’re doing for Civic Arkansas, being more civically aware and engaged is far more important than the funding,” James said.
The county judge also said that if he could have any superpower, it would be to add more hours to the day so he could be more effective, as time always feels so scarce.