Community Development AoE Meeting

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Harrison, Michigan

 

 

The Community Development AoE meeting was called to order at 10:05 am with the throw of a dead noisy monkey (curious – come to the next AoE meeting) by co-chair Elaine Bush. Members present were: Phil Alexander, Betty Blasé, Mona Ellard, Tom Emling, Jan Hartough, Dave Ivan, Ed Kerr, Scott Loveridge, Steve Nelson, Warren Rauhe (campus co-chair), George Rowan (CARRS), Michelle Walk, Jim Wiesing, Wynn Wright (CARRS), and Bonnie Witchner-Zoia, guest:  Mavin Cato (CARRS).

 

Dave Ivan provided an update on the AoE’s account balance. As of October, 2006, the AoE operating account had a budget of $6,753.69 and the successful competitive grant for developing further community development modules (Nelson grant) had a balance of $5,000.

 

Old Business

            Bonnie provided an update on the county profiles.  The AoE has had 36 counties contract with the AoE for the county profiles, at $200 each. The feedback, to date, has been very positive. Customization is not possible due to the template used for the profiles and the desire to hold down costs. Counties have until January 31st to order the profiles. The cost per profile is approximately $27, plus the initial contractual fee, netting approximately $950 for the AoE.

 

            George shared with the group that a new resource available for individuals looking for directions to campus is www.spartylive.com.

 

            Mona and Michelle provided an update for the March 22nd AARP in-service (modules 5 (Data for Decision Making) & 6 (Evaluation)). The program will run from 10 am to 2 pm. AoE members are encouraged to attend if their schedule is permitting to assist with the computer exercises. The session will take place at the Lansing Community College M-Tech facility, in Lansing.

 

            Since some individuals may be attending the session that did not participate in the previous modules (1-4), a brief group of introductory slides will be prepared by Bonnie and Phil.

 

            Mona provided an update on the AoE’s website. Although Pearl Goodmoot has left the Ionia Economic Development Alliance, she will continue to work on the AoE website from her home. Mona asked for another individual to coordinate the website development with Pearl. Dave Ivan will work with Pearl to coordinate its further development. Warren will also assist with graphics and potential web design. As part of their responsibilities, the off-campus co-chair elect will also serve as the AoE webmaster. The website address is web1.msue.msu.edu/comdevaoe.

 

            Phil provided an update on the AoEs three in-services on the modules: May 2nd (Modules 5 & 6 at the Kettunen Center), June 20th (Modules 1 & 2) and July 10th (Modules 3 & 4). The in-services are available for registration. There is no cost to participate in the in-services. Elaine will direct AoE marketing at the May inservice, and Bonnie will coordinate for the June in-service. The AoE will be working with Kathy Forester in professional development to assist in promoting the in-services. Steve Nelson will prepare some specific marketing pieces (Save the Date) to promote the upcoming sessions. Lead individuals for the modules are Module 1: Bonnie; Module 2: Steve Nelson; Module 3: Jim Wiesing; Module 4: Michelle; Module 5: Mona; Module 6: Michelle;

 

            The AoE needs to identify individuals to work with Lela Vandenberg in developing module 7 (Engagement process for community development) and module 8 (Nonprofit Community Organization/Boardsmanship). George will look at potential individuals within CARRS for the non-profit module. Marvin Cato volunteered to assist with the development of Module 8.

 

            Jim Wiesing provided an update on the AoE annual retreat. Jim proposed a session in Traverse City June 7-8 (Thursday & Friday). Content may include learning about the development efforts with the Native American tribe that has been done in Grand Traverse County (Building Strong Sovereign Nations), poverty reduction program, community design initiative, Old Mission Peninsula (First PDR program), and universal design home being constructed near the Grand Traverse Hotel.

 

            Bonnie distributed a CNRDA membership form. Memberships are due 2/15/07. Also, she shared information on facilitation training through LeadNet on May 22-24, for external audiences. The cost is $600, which includes lodging and meals.

           

New Business

            Elaine provided a review of AoE business activities.  A criteria sheet has been developed for evaluating AoE performance by MSUE. Additionally, the 2007 MSUE AoE calendar was reviewed, including the funding and competitive grant processes. Bush also reviewed the AoE annual report for 2006, and the budget submitted by Bonnie for 06-07. She also shared a few announcements, including the 07 revised MSU mileage reimbursement rate ($.48/mile) and the NACDEP early registration deadline of 1/15/07.

 

            Scott suggested that the AoE may wish to consider exhibiting at state community development conferences to promote programs, such as the state affordable housing conference (MSHDA), CEDAM, MEDA, and other community-based professional groups within Michigan. It may be appropriate to use some of the funds identified for professional development for conference fee expenses.

 

Updates/Reports

            Scott provided a coaches update. The rural development study group in Ireland (June 22-July 2) will be accepting new participants for the study group. Application deadline is March 1, however early applications will receive early consideration. Estimated cost is $1,800. Scott asked if there was interest in an Economic and Community Development faculty resource day. There was interest in the event. A new state leader, Pat Brown, has been named for Natural Resources. There is increased attention to reporting from the new associate director of programs.

 

            Warren shared with the group his availability to offer assistance in working with campus resources. Secondly, he shared the results from a research project entitled “Effective Community Participation” that was funded through the MSU Community Vitality program, is available to the AoE. There was interest among the AoE for a presentation on the project.

 

            Jan provided an update on the Kettering Foundation meetings she attended. Kettering is interested in conducting research, and bringing citizens together in a deliberate manner to discuss community issues. The CANR is very interested in this type of interaction to engage our communities, as well as the community on campus. Jan mentioned that the meetings included discussions with the Dean and Provost. Kellogg is also potentially interested in the project. Kettering has submitted a proposal for consideration involving MSU, and possibly the Kellogg Foundation.

 

            Bonnie and Steve provided an update on the Foundations of Practice NCRDC in-service training, in Kansas City. The training is focused on enhancing the competencies solely of internal Extension audiences within the north central region. The training focused on three tracks: Public Participation, Facilitation, and Participatory Planning. The participatory planning focused on appreciative inquiry as a method to strategic and community planning, as well as various techniques to survey groups to create provocative propositions within communities. (NOTE: a possible future competitive grant discussion that surfaced was a statewide conference on community development). The participatory planning session included a number of interesting tools/techniques, including an intro exercise to draw yourself, and the group would then pull a drawing to see if the audience could identify the participant; every hour the group switched tables, and identifying majority & minority groups (bean exercise).

 

            Phil gave an update on the boardsmanship program given to a statewide librarian meeting. Phil and Ann Chastain presented to the group on “working with boards and effective meetings.” A resource identified by Phil is a book entitled “Doing Good Better” by Stoesz and Raber. Phil agreed to purchase books for the AoE as a resource.

 

            George shared with the group his experiences in working on long-term care issues, including no national system of care, prescription drug costs, care facilities, coordinated health needs, and use of technology to hold medical information (smart cards).

 

            Wynn Wright, as a new faculty member, shared with the group her past experiences. A rural sociologists by training, Dr. Wright has a 3-way appointment in Extension, Research and Teaching. Previous work has focused on food systems localization on how it builds sustainability communities; developing participatory approaches to food systems development; and the bio-economy and its intersection with the community.

 

            Marvin shared with the group his potential interest in working with the AoE given his past experiences in community development. Mr. Cato serves as a state program leader for health promotion in FCS.

 

            Tom Emling shared with the group a quick update on the poverty reduction initiative in a five county region in NW Michigan. 

 

            Dave updated the group on the ED AoE community entrepreneurship initiative.

                       

             There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:10 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Dave Ivan

Recording Secretary