CDS: Preparing for 2012 and Beyond

Norman WalzerPresident’s Remarks 2010

Current ScenarioNeed for Community Development

• Prolonged Severe Recession– High Unemployment– Businesses Closings and Jobs Lost

• Economic Recovery With Local Decisions As Key• Unprecedented Pace of Technological Advances

– Emerging Industries– Communications– Ability to Reach New Audiences

• Strong Global Involvement• Transition to a New Generation With Modern Skills• Pro Community Engagement Political Climate• Emphasis on Sustainable Regions

Environment for Professional Organizations…..

• Changing Membership Base– Retirements of Long-Term Members– Opportunities for New Areas to Explore; Old Organizations Must Keep Up– New Members Must Receive Valuable Services Conveniently and Affordable

• High Demands on Members’ Time– Busy Schedules– Belong to Several Organizations• Shrinking Financial Support• Membership Dues• Travel and Conference Support

• Competition from Other Professional Venues – Training Events over the Web, Private Vendors– Knowledge is a Major Industry

• Necessity to Be More Entrepreneurial– Deliver Different Services in Different Ways– Address the Most Important Issues

Role of Community in Economic and Disaster Recovery

• CDS as an Organization and a Community– Residents and Local Leaders– Practitioners and Public Officials– Business Investors and Other Interests– Researchers and Teachers– International Participants

• CDS Strengths as a Community– Major Knowledge Base and Wealth of Practical Experiences– Cutting Edge of Research on Promising Practices/Approaches– Interested and Willing to Explore Next Competitive Advantages– Positions of Influence and Authority With Global Access– Mission is to Bring Solutions to Local Issues

Major Decisions

During the Next Two Years…..

• What Can/Will be Our Role(s) in the National/Local Recovery?• What Will We (CDS) Do as a Community?• What Will We Do Individually within CDS to Participate?• How Will We Grow Professionally in the Process?

Lessons from Economic Development• Retention is as Important as Attraction• Build from Within Based on Local Strengths• Empower Members; Don’t Wait for Permission• Think Bold and Enjoy the Journey

• Use Cluster Approaches to Capture Economies• Effectively Use Internet and Technology• Recognize Importance of Global Society• Celebrate Accomplishments and Build on Successes• Focus on Strategies That We Can Do Well• Be Entrepreneurial in Approach• Persevere Until Achieve Objectives

Two Greatest Benefits from CDS*

• Learning About Useful Best Practices 36.0%• Keeping Current with Trends 30.3• Learning/Providing Latest Research (JCDS) 29.2• Networking About Professional Issues 27.0• Learning New CD Tools and Techniques 24.4

*Preliminary results from CDS Member Survey (100 Responses)

Value from CDS Services(Percent Reporting High Value)

% Rating**• Networking with Colleagues 51.6 4.08 • Annual Conference 47.3 4.23• CDS Journal 47.3 4.23• Vanguard Newsletter 20.5 3.47• Training in Professional Dev. (Webinars) 20.0 3.34• CD-Practice Series 15.6 3.26• Web Site 14.1 3.64

*Preliminary results from CDS Member Survey (100 Responses)

** (1= little value; 5 is high value)

Suggestions for Change(Percent Responding)

Increase Connections to Grassroots Org. 44.6%More CD Activities, Networking, Training 42.2Hold Conference in Less Exp Places 34.9Increase International Offerings 26.5Provide More Webinars 27.7Expand Social Networking 19.3

*Preliminary results from CDS Member Survey (100 Responses)

Areas of Emphasis For 2011 Doing Different Things and Differently

• Incorporate Member Survey Results into Active Programming• Make CDS the “Go To” Place for Professional Resources• Identify and Support “Emerging Grass Roots Issues”• Build Stronger and Continued Links With New Participants• Use Social Networking Techniques to Communicate/Deliver Services

– Encourage Interactions Among Focus Groups on Emerging Issues– Promote Promising Practices

• Present Webinars and Training Events Quarterly • Produce Quarterly CD-Practice Series• Publish Special Journal Issue on Conference Topics• Strengthen Ties with International Community

– Document Successful Community Development Approaches– Publish Innovative Practices in Disaster Recovery

• Incorporate Results from Creative Strategies for Community Change• Broaden Interactions with Other Professional Groups (IACD; NACDEP)

CDS in Our Professional Lives

“One of the great things an organization can do is help people give voice to their dreams, and provide the means by which people come together to create something greater than themselves.

It is the gift of leaders to release the aspirations of others.”

James Champy, Leader to Leader,

Summer 2000

Involvement in CDS and Plans for Future*

Current Participation• More Involved in Other Organizations 39.8%• More Involved in CDS than Other Org. 23.7• Same Involvement in CDS as Other Org. 30.1

Future• Expand My Involvement in CDS 19.3%• Continue at Same Level 41.2• Don’t Know 30.3

* Preliminary Results from CDS Member Survey (113 Responses)

Major Decisions

During the Next Two Years…..

• What Can/Will be Our Role(s) in the National/Local Recovery?

• What Will We (CDS) Do as a Community?

• What Will Each of Us Do to Participate?

• How Will We Grow Professionally in the Process?

• How Can We Enjoy the Journey?

Opportunities to ParticipateStanding Committees

Marketing and MembershipCommunications and PublicationsInternationalNominations and Leadership DevelopmentLong-Term FinancesConference Program Planning and Site SelectionAwards and Recognition

New EmphasesSocial Networking ApproachesEmerging Issues InitiativeExpanded Training OptionsCreative Roles for RetireesBroadening Our Connections

What Will We Do In the Next Two Years? (to Make Our CDS Community More Effective)

• Select a Topic or Project of Interest, Then

– Follow and Advocate CDS Principles of Good Practice– Discuss Our Ideas With a Committee Chair– Join a CDS Committee and Actively Participate– Participate in the World Café Discussions– Blog About CD Topics on NING – Launch a CD Discussion on Social Network Media – Write and Submit a CD-Practice or Journal Article– Review and Discuss a CD Book– Recommend a Project as a Promising Practice or Award– Propose, Organize, or Deliver a Webinar– Suggest New Directions or Services for CDS – Build Links with Other Professional Organizations– Mentor a New Member or Student in the Profession – Expand Our Presence in the Pending Recovery!– Other, _________________________________________

One More Opportunity…………….

Enjoy the Rest of Our Conference!!