Articles by Mike Rhodes

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, IN—The 11th IDEA Conference returned on March 6th with a playful, purposeful nod to Sesame Street, inviting neighborhood leaders to “come and play” while engaging in networking, workshops, and more at Ball State University’s L.A. Pittenger Student Center. Nearly 130 people attended this year’s sessions, which covered a range of topics, from political action and leadership development to project planning and community engagement. In one session, led by the Whitely Neighborhood Association, participants played a new…

CenterPoint Energy Foundation Funds Scholarships for Nonprofit Professionals By Arrick Garringer—   MUNCIE, IN — Shafer Leadership Academy is expanding access to its signature leadership program, Emergence: Personal Foundations of Effective Leadership, by offering scholarships to nonprofit professionals and organizations across the region. Recognizing the critical role nonprofit leaders play in strengthening communities, Shafer Leadership Academy is committed to making high-quality leadership development more accessible to those working in mission-driven organizations. Emergence is a five-week, highly interactive program designed to…

By Emmalene Jones and Aakash Kambham, robotics team members—  MATTHEWS, IN—East Central Indiana FIRST Robotics Team 1720, The PhyXTGears, a community-based, high school level team, competed at the FIN Columbus Regional Event on March 21st and 22nd. The event took place at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Indiana.  This year’s FIRST™ Robotics game is called REBUILT™. It is a fast-paced, defense-heavy game in which robots must collect and shoot medium-sized yellow balls, called fuel, into a hub. Many say…

By Jud Fisher, President/CEO, Ball Brothers Foundation— MUNCIE, IN — For more than three decades, Cardinal Greenways has connected communities across East Central Indiana. Stretching across five counties and weaving through cities, towns, and rural landscapes, Cardinal Greenways is Indiana’s longest rail-trail—and a defining regional asset. The trail is owned and maintained by Cardinal Greenways, a nonprofit organization, rather than by a state or local government. That means every mile of trail, every trailhead, and every improvement is made possible through…