Michael Dougherty (L) CDI East Course Director, Extension
Specialist and Calhoun County Extension Agent Curtis Garretson
Calhoun County Extension Agent, Curtis Garretson recently finished the 3rd year of studies at the 2011 Community Development Institute East [CDI East] in Bridgeport, W.Va.
CDI East approaches community development as both a process and a program. It seeks to develop an individual's ability to identify community problems; set goals; encourage liaison with outside agencies; stimulate community interaction; and bring groups together to support competitive economic development, human resource development and quality of life issues.
It does this by expanding an individual's ability to identify community and economic problems, set goals, encourage liaisons with outside agencies, stimulate community interaction, and bring groups together to respond to a wide range of subjects. During the week-long institute, over 30 presenters participated in over 50 class and joint sessions spread across the three years of the curriculum.
The 3rd year curriculum featured downtown revitalization; aligning economic development strategy with new economy opportunities; economic modeling; community indicators; readying for community development; community foundations; evaluating community programs; local government and development issues; communication and public relations; resilient communities; workforce development; community comprehensive planning; ethics; marketing your community; and the community development model. There were also presentations on best practices by the participants themselves.
Common sessions included an opening presentation about creative communities and a closing panel featuring foundations, funding organizations, and service providers.
The institute finished its eighth year and graduated its fifth class. There were a total of 28 students from 18 West Virginia counties as well as Delaware and Texas.
Ten (10) students completed their third and final year of studies, bringing the total number of graduates of the institute to 80. There were also five (5) students in the first year and 13 students in the second year, meaning 215 unique individuals have taken at least one year of instruction at CDI East.
The CDI East is one of five institutes held throughout the country. This series of three week-long training programs was created in 1987. They are designed to enhance the leadership and management capabilities of those individuals responsible for developing our communities.
CDI is endorsed by the Community Development Council (CDC) and is a principal component for the Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED) certification.
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