NACEDA Board Members and staff met
Aug. 5-6. 2008 in Minneapolis, MN for a strategy session and board retreat.
The board members participated in engaging discussions on the future of
the industry, the future of NACEDA and policy priorities. The board also
created recommendations to HUD for regulations regarding distribution of
the CDBG funds for Neighborhood Stabilization found in the Housing Relief
bill (H.R. 3221). NACEDA delivered these recommendations to HUD in a meeting
on August. 7.
NACEDA-LISC Messaging Workshop. State
Policy Director of the Association of Oregon Community Economic Development
Directors Michael Anderson led NACEDA Board members in a four-hour program
in message framing. Anderson, a "values-based" communications expert who
trained under George Laykoff at Berkley, worked with the board on framing
messages for greater advocacy for community development. Paul Williams,
Senior VP for Field Strategies and Development at LISC, noted that LISC
is changing its focus from exclusively capacity building to a more holistic
community building approach with objectives in five areas: housing and
building assets, building family income and wealth, economic development
including neighborhood commercial corridors, education, and healthy lifestyles
including green development.
Another highlight of the board retreat was
an affordable housing/community development tour of the East Franklin Avenue
area of Minneapolis. Presentations were delivered by several CDCs who have
turned the neighborhood from a dangerous area full of drug dealers and
prostitution to an up-and-coming community with quality affordable housing
and successful businesses representing the diverse minority population
including Native American, African American, Latino and Somali immigrants.
The day ended with a reception at the Global Marketplace, a community development
project that features stores and restaurants owned by members of the community.
NACEDA would like to thank the Minneapolis Consortium of Community Developers for
helping to organize this informative tour!
Finally here is a PowerPoint Presentation given during the retreat: Communications
Strategy Session for Advocacy, Philanthropy and Membership: by Michael
Anderson, State Policy Director, Community Development Network, Portland,
Oregon.
