U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1999 National Community Involvement
Conference/Training
"EPA's Role In Community Involvement"

Tuesday, May 25, 9:00 a.m.

The Honorable Clarence Harmon, Mayor of St. Louis
"Collaborating with State and Federal Agencies to Meet Urban Environmental Challenges"

Mayor Clarence Harmon will discuss collaboration between St. Louis, EPA and state agencies in meeting urban environmental challenges. Since Mayor Harmon took office two years ago, his administration has worked with the EPA on a number of successful, cooperative initiatives important to his mission to revitalize the city. Mayor Harmon will describe how collaboration benefitted specific projects important to his goals for neighborhood revitalization and economic development as well as meeting environmental standards.

Mayor Harmon became St. Louis' second African-American Mayor on April 15, 1997. Prior to being elected Mayor, Harmon was Director of Business Development for United Van Lines. He also served as director of United's Market Research and Analysis Department. He joined United Van Lines, Inc., in December 1995, following a 26-year career with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, including four years as Chief of Police. During his career with the St. Louis Police Department, he was instrumental in developing and implementing a variety of innovative programs focusing on community involvement in supporting law enforcement, including the highly successful "Do The Right Thing" program.

Mayor Harmon holds a Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice Administration and Public Administration from Webster University and a Bachelor of Science from Northeast Missouri State University. He has been a Danforth Foundation fellow to the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Mayor Harmon is married to Janet Kelley Harmon and is the father of four children. He and his family reside in St. Louis.

Wednesday, May 27, 1:00 p.m.

Daniel R. Wildcat, Haskell Indian Nations University
"The Challenge of Involvement: Technology, Community, Culture, and Communication"

This presentation will focus on an American Indian model of community involvement: a model that suggests technology, community, culture, and communication must be integrated for successful community involvement to occur. As we enter the 21^st century, we must examine the ways in which technology is shaped by human beings and the ways in which, in turn, our living environments are shaped by technologies. The challenge for community involvement is to acknowledge the ways in which technology, community, culture, and communication are inextricably connected in human societies. Community participation, in solving a whole range of problems faced today, requires a model of consciously integrating elements of our daily lives that are often falsely opposed to each other, (for example, technology versus community, culture versus communication, etc.) The American Indian model of community involvement successfully integrates these opposing elements.

Mr. Wildcat currently is with Haskell Indian Nations University. In 1996, Wildcat helped plan and organize the American Indian Educational Program to celebrate and coincide with the 25^th anniversary of Earth Day. As a part of the program, Mr. Wildcat moderated a live nationally broadcast dialogue between traditional American Indian elders and American Indian scientists and engineers about the way we must live if we are to ensure that our children will inherit a healthy planet.

In addition to his teaching, lecturing, and administrative responsibilities, Mr. Wildcat's involvement with the Center has revolved around grant writing and activities associated with the goals stated above. He helped plan and design a four-part video series titled "All Things Are Connected: The Circles of Life" (1997), which dealt with land, air, water, and biological issues related to environmental science and policy issues developing tribes—Indian Nations—are facing. Two programs of the series were broadcast live from the Haskell campus and down-linked to tribal colleges across the United States.

All of these activities have given Mr. Wildcat the opportunity to work directly with tribal governments, elders and communities.

Thursday, May 27, 11:45 a.m. (Luncheon)

Ida Wiedel, Personally and Professionally Speaking
"The Image Profile of an Effective Communicator: What's Your PIC?"

Ms. Wiedel will explain the image profile of an effective communicator and describe how it can be used as a model to improve communication skills. Ms. Wiedel will show how participants can identify their PIC (assess their "Image Profile" as an effective communicator) and provide tips for enhancing various skills to be an effective communicator. This presentation concludes with suggestions as to how participants can apply these skills to enhance their personal and professional lives.

Coaching communication is Ms. Wiedel's PROFESSION. Meeting and chatting with people from many cultures, ages, and lifestyles is her PASSION. Helping people communicate effectively, enjoyably, and comfortably is her MISSION.

Ms. Wiedel has coached executives, attorneys, ministers, educators, sales persons, broadcasters, athletes, and others in the art and skills of communication for 20 years. She has been featured on television, radio, and in print as an expert in formal and informal public speaking, voice diction, accent reduction, the art of chit-chatting, grammar/writing and interpersonal communication.