Without traveling beyond their states borders, West Virginias professional and volunteer community leaders can improve their skills and work toward national certification at the Community Development Institute East Sept. 25-30 at the Embassy Suites, Charleston.
CDI East provides municipal and county officials, business owners, community volunteers and educators an opportunity to learn the skills needed to help advance a communitys economic and social growth. In its fourth year, the institute is sponsored by West Virginia University Extension Service and the West Virginia Development Office.
Before CDI East opened in West Virginia, community leaders in this region had to travel to CDI sessions in Arkansas, Idaho or Texas.
The goal of the three-year program is to develop an individuals ability to identify community problems, set goals, encourage liaisons with outside agencies, stimulate community interaction, and bring groups together to support competitive economic development, human resource development and quality of life issues.
CDI East is endorsed by the International Community Development Council (ICDC), a professional certification organization. CDI Easts integrated curriculum allows students to move toward becoming Certified Community Developers (CCD) or Certified Community Development Partners (CCDP) through ICDC .
Students progress through the CDI East program by participating in a one-week training seminar for three years. Each year, students participate in a new set of classes. Those seeking certification generally take the ICDC exam at the end of their third year of study.
Anyone may enroll in the institute. The certification process is optional. Those seeking CCD or CCDP status must register and pay an additional fee for the test through ICDC . Participants also can make arrangements to receive Continuing Education Units and college credit.
Year-one courses include principles and processes of community development, team building, diversity skills, personal leadership style and other vital leadership classes.
Year-two classes include trends and issues in community development, partnership building, community development challenges and the heritage park project.
In the third year, the classes elevate and integrate concepts from the previous two years. Classes in year three build participantsskills for tackling environmental issues, lobbying and working in the political arena, and employing economic modeling.
CDI East welcomed its first students in 2002 and celebrated its first graduating class of 20 students in 2004. Participants in the program have traveled from 29 counties in West Virginia and from communities in five other states.
For West Virginia residents, a limited number of tuition or lodging waivers are available. Completed applications must be received by Aug. 5.
The CDI East registration deadline is Sept. 1.
Tuition and lodging waiver applications, institute registration forms, certification information and other details are available on the CDI East Web site atwww.ext.wvu.edu/cdi-east/
For more information about the classes, contact Michael Dougherty, CDI East course director and WVU Extension specialist, 304-293-6131, or by e-mail michael.dougherty@mail.wvu.edu