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2024 Annual Conference - Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Missouri Community Betterment Celebrates 60th Annual Conference and Honors 2024
Award Recipients
October 22, 2024 – The Missouri Community Betterment (MCB) Program proudly celebrated its 60th annual conference, marking six decades of service to rural communities across Missouri.
As the oldest organization in the state dedicated to rural community improvement, MCB’s
mission focuses on youth leadership, community development, and local innovation.
This year’s conference, attended by over 100 participants, featured a dynamic lineup of
keynote speakers, including:
● Ashley Beard-Fosnow, Executive Director, Missouri Humanities Council
● Dr. Sean Siebert
● Jacob King, Former Missouri FFA Vice President
● Jaclyn Rowe, Motivational Speaker
● Andrew Dial, Preservation Planner & Grants Manager, Dept. of Natural Resources
Special entertainment was provided by Jacob King & Matthew Huchteman. MCB extends a special thank you to Missouri Farm Bureau for generously hosting the event at their facility.
MCB President Brett Dinkins remarked, “This milestone represents decades of dedication from our communities, volunteers, and leaders. We look forward to continuing our work in improving rural Missouri for many years to come.”
Participating Communities:
Leeton, Chamois-Morrison, Hopkins, Versailles, Bevier, Cainsville, Linn, Mayview, Urich,
Ridgeway, Berkeley, and Graham.
Long-Time Participating Communities:
Steelville (32 years), Salem (31 years), Louisiana (50 years), Houston (43 years), Lamar (58
years), Caledonia (60 years).
Youth Group Participants:
Caledonia, Lamar, and Houston were recognized with commemorative 2024 quarter-dollar coins in celebration of MCB’s 60th anniversary.
Leadership Awards
● Youth Leadership: Makayla Madison, Lamar
● Adult Leadership: Karen Wegener, Lamar; Pat Sims, Caledonia
Outstanding Project Awards
● Lamar Youth:
○ Best Youth-Led Project: Barton County Memorial Park Landscaping
○ Most Unique Community Activity: Truman Health Care Farm Days
● Houston Youth:
○ Best Youth-Led Project: Easter Egg Hunt
○ Most Heartfelt Project: Fostering by Faith
● Linn:
○ Best Community Event: Artisans and Farmers’ Market
● Houston:
○ Best Use of Volunteers: Fantastic Reasons to Walk and Ride
○ Most Engaged Community: Imagination Library
○ Best Project on a Budget: Fostering by Faith
○ Best Use of Community Assets: Houston Community Foundation
○ Most Heartfelt Project: Texas County Library
● Lamar:
○ Best Planning Process: Wyatt Earp Park
○ Most Creative Funding Effort: Barco Outdoor Movie Screen
Special Awards
● 2024 J.C. Smith Youth of the Year: Houston
● 2024 Gene Speichinger Community of the Year: Lamar
This year’s awardees exemplified MCB’s core values through their leadership, innovation, and commitment to improving the quality of life in rural Missouri.
MCB also wishes to thank the silent auction sponsors for their contributions: Andrew McCrea, Brett Dinkins, Berry Farm, Big Piney Environmental, Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain, Caledonia, Camco Farms, Campbell Consulting, Cece Spinks, Chase Park Plaza, Community Betterment Houston, Darla Hauge, Kansas City Chiefs, Lamar Community Betterment, Lodge of the Four Seasons, Mark Twain Museum, Missouri Hamilton Quilt Museum, Restorative Justice Center, Salem Community Betterment, Silver Dollar City, Six Shows, Texas County Extension, Twin Rivers Landing, Vickie Jones, Representative Chris Dinkins, Representative Phil Amato, Fireworks City.
A special thank you also goes to the 2023-2024 program sponsors, including: Associated
Electric Cooperative, BTC Bank, Caledonia Awards Committee, Caledonia Community
Foundation, Caledonia Vintage & Gifts (Debra Bay), Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Delbert/Elaine Campbell, Gillian Speichinger, Janie Dunning, John Robinson, III, Kris Richards, McCrea Farms, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Humanities Council, Orscheln Industries, Sydenstricker Nobbe Partners, Brett Dinkins, and the Village of Caledonia.
For more information about the Missouri Community Betterment Program and its ongoing
impact, visit mocommunitybetterment.com.
Contact:
Brett Dinkins
President, Missouri Community Betterment
Speakers
Sean Siebert
Sean Siebert
Sean Siebert
Sean Siebert the creator of "Invent Yourself” LLC. Sean is an excellent, sought-after motivational speaker. His books have a 5-star rating and inspire those going through grief, mental health issues, addictions, and life changes, to get on their feet and keep moving forward. Everyone that attends the conference will receive a FREE copy o
Sean Siebert the creator of "Invent Yourself” LLC. Sean is an excellent, sought-after motivational speaker. His books have a 5-star rating and inspire those going through grief, mental health issues, addictions, and life changes, to get on their feet and keep moving forward. Everyone that attends the conference will receive a FREE copy of his book "Fighting the Good Fight". Dr. Siebert has also worked with schools across the state of Missouri and was awarded the National Association of Development Organization Innovation Award for the work he’s done to fight mental health, poverty, and addiction.
Jaclyn Rowe
Sean Siebert
Sean Siebert
Jaclyn Rowe who is an author, national speaker and entrepreneur, will be speaking to our conference attendees. Jaclyn will be speaking on “The Power of Personalities”. She grew up in a rural community and started her speaking career in her early twenties. Currently, Jaclyn does seminars and keynotes for corporate, student, and Christian women's groups.
Jacob King
Sean Siebert
Jacob King
We are excited to have Jacob King presenting to our youth! Jacob has been heavily involved with Missouri FFA and was a former FFA Vice President. Jacob is a musician and public speaker. Jacob developed his passion for public speaking during his time with FFA. He is a pedal steel guitarist and has a fun and engaging way of connecting with
We are excited to have Jacob King presenting to our youth! Jacob has been heavily involved with Missouri FFA and was a former FFA Vice President. Jacob is a musician and public speaker. Jacob developed his passion for public speaking during his time with FFA. He is a pedal steel guitarist and has a fun and engaging way of connecting with youth using his steel guitar. As a youth leader and former FFA Vice President, Jacob has valuable insights that he can share with youth leaders across our state.