A Joint Initiative Between     Heart of Wisconsin     Business & Economic Alliance and     Community Foundation of     South Wood County

About Breaking News Program Dates Feedback Donate Contact Industry Clusters		Breaking News July 21, 2006 - Community Development Society Recognizes Community Progress Initiative at Conference in St. Louis For Immediate Release St. Louis, Missouri - Approximately 300 attendees from 43 different states and five international countries convened June 25-28, 2006 at the Sheraton St. Louis City Center Hotel to attend the 38th Annual International Conference of the Community Development Society (CDS). Highlights of the conference included over 85 educational sessions covering various issues related to community development, eight mobile workshops giving attendees the opportunity to explore the local communities and an annual awards banquet. The CDS is an international association which focuses on providing leadership to professionals and citizens across the spectrum of community development while at the same time, upholding and following the Principles of Good Practice. As part of its annual conference, the Community Development Society honored those individuals and programs which have excelled in the field of community development. The 2006 CDS Innovative Program Award was given to Community Progress Initiative, a joint initiative between Heart of Wisconsin Business and Economic Alliance and Community Foundation of South Wood County. Connie Loden – Executive Director of Heart of Wisconsin Alliance, Kelly Lucas – President of Community Foundation of South Wood County, and David Beurle (an award recipient in 2002) – Managing Director of Innovative Leadership Australia, designed and delivered the programming, which has shown tremendous results in engaging the community to create the vision of what they want to be and take charge of their own future. The CDS Innovative Program Award is given to a program which also utilizes the CDS Principles of Good Practices in an innovative approach. Dr. Cornelia Flora, Director of the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development at Iowa State University, commented on the award recognition, “The Community Progress Initiative uses the principles of good practice and builds on the common aspects of successful community development: inclusivity (including youth and seniors); collaborations (including industry cluster networks); leadership programs; community progress rallies; and youth involvement. The widespread participation and innovative mixture of creating support for entrepreneurs, training for youth, and expanding social and business networks has, in a very short period of time, changed the climate of the community, creating both individual and collective change by improving the community and growing the economy from within.” The Community Progress Initiative’s approach delivers a comprehensive series of programs integrated into an intensive delivery, to create momentum and stimulate a positive shift in community culture that cultivates economic growth and community vitality. The vision of the Community Progress Initiative is to create an innovative, business-friendly culture in a vibrant community with a prosperous local economy. “Because of its holistic approach, the Community Progress Initiative has set a new benchmark of achievement for the civic engagement.” Dr. Flora further commented. This year, the Community Development Society honored seven individuals and programs. Connie Loden, on hand to accept the award, noted, “I accept this award on behalf of the community and the many area citizens that have stepped up to ‘make it happen’ through their Community Progress Initiative involvement. It is through their monumental efforts that the community has seen significant results and evidence of success. Thank you.” Also receiving awards at the Community Development Conference included: Janet Ayres of Purdue University and Stephen Jeanetta of the University of Missouri-Columbia Extension both received Community Development Achievement Awards, an award to those individuals who have made an outstanding contribution in the teaching, programming, administration or other sector in the field of community development. The Outstanding Program Award, an award given to a developed program that utilizes the CDS Principles of Good Practice was given to Mildred Warner of Cornell University for her work with the Linking Child Care and Economic Development Project. The CDS Outstanding Research Award, an award which showcases a person who exemplifies and positively influences community development practice was given to Norman Walzer of Western Illinois University. Lastly, the CDS honored Jack Timmons of Hillsboro, Oregon as this year’s recipient of the Duane L. Gibson Distinguished Service Award for his advancement of the Society and his overall accomplishments in the field of community development.
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