PRESIDENT'S CORNER

CDS president, Randy Adams, presently works as a NGO and Small Business Development Specialist for the Peace Corps' Center for Field Assistance and Applied Research. He may be contacted at AdamsRMK@aol.com.

The CDS Board of Directors met Oct 21-22, 2006 at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton, WI, the site of our 2007 annual conference.  We had a chance to tour the conference hotel and a number of off-site attractions and potential venues for receptions as well as meet with some members of the local host committee.  All in all, we are looking forward to an informative, interactive, and entertaining conference with our co-hosts the National Rural Development Partnership (NRDP) bringing together 400 or more participants.

I am pleased to report that CDS has signed a contract with Accent on Management to continue as CDS administrator and conference manager.  We have enjoyed a very professional relationship with AOM over the last few years and welcome continuing to receive the capable assistance of Peggy Blankenship and her staff.  AOM will be using CVENT and its secure, online management software to offer conference registrants online user-friendly registration capability.  Registration will still also be possible through fax or mail.

This year CDS is considering using an online voting service.  The ballot, candidate profile, photo, and any additional information on each candidate will be posted to the website.  We will still allow members the option of requesting a paper ballot.

I am pleased to report the appointment to the CDS Board of Chris Marko, Environmental Specialist with the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) and a Board member of the Partners for Rural America, the umbrella group of the NRDP.  He will fill a one year unexpired Board position.  Chris has volunteered to Co-Chair the Marketing and Membership committee and with his committee members will play an important role in promoting our 2007 and 2008 conferences.

Our 2006 conference apart from being a programmatic success also netted more than $18,000 in profit of which $9,634.50 was retained by CDS.  In addition, the Illinois Institute for Rural Development and the St. Louis University donated their portion of the profits as co-hosts of the 2006 conference to CDS in support of the Journal of the Community Development Society’s transition to a new university base and editor.  We thank them for their generosity and support.

The Board engaged in a number of discussions one of which was a potential collaboration and/or partnership with the Community Development Council (CDC), the organization that governs the Community Development Institutes.  There are five sites around the country that operate Community Development Institutes (CDI), professional training for community and economic development.  Upon completion of all training sessions, participants are eligible to take an exam to receive the Professional Community and Economic Development (PCED) certification.  A cadre of approximately 400 community development practitioners graduates each year.  CDS would welcome the graduates to join CDS to network with like minded community development colleagues and share their experiences and learning.  An ad hoc committee chaired by John Gruidl will explore potential collaboration or partnership opportunities between the two organizations.

Another initiative undertaken by CDS is the promotion of a regional meeting in the “Katrina Zone.”  The CDS has started discussions for a possible joint meeting with the Rural Sociological Society (RSS) and the Southern Rural Development Council (SRDC). With the support of the CDS, Brent Hales, Kay Lynn Tettleton, Laura Zacher have drafted a proposal as a follow up to the SRDC/RSS forum held last year.  Each of our organizations is interested in discussing and putting into action a plan for disaster preparation and mitigation, putting the expertise and experience of our respective organizations in the mix for possible assistance to populations in disaster zones.

The International Association of Community Development will be soliciting candidates for their Board of Directors.  I would like to see CDS members consider offering their candidacy for consideration as a representative of CDS.  Please let me know of your interest.

Of great importance for the financial stability and operational integrity of the CDS the Board voted to raise membership dues for 2007.  The Journal is now a quarterly publication, services have improved, and operational costs have increased.  This raise will balace our budget and continue to enhance the professional development of the Society.

Finally, I encourage all members to send recommendations for CDS Board members and officers to Jane Leonard, Chair of the Nominations committee.  Please consider donating a holiday gift to the CDS Endowment.  And communicate with your Board members and officers on your issues and interests.

In closing I hope your holiday season will be joyous, healthy, and safe.