NACEDA wants to let Congress and the President know what budget items are top priorities for community development professionals. After all, YOU are the ones using these programs every day. YOU see the effect on communities. YOUR OPINION should be heard.

We have prepared a short online survey to gather the thoughts and priorities of community developers, supporters, and advocates around the country. As a national membership association striving every day to represent you, we need to know what you think.

Please take a few to complete this survey and submit your answers by Friday, March 22. Click here to access the survey.

I hosted a meet-and-greet recently for first-time candidate Lynette McElhaney, who was newly elected to the City of Oakland City Council from District 3 in November 2012. I live in District 3. It is the heart of Oakland, it encompasses downtown, the Port of Oakland, Old Oakland, Jack London Square, and Lake Merritt. She took office this January amidst great opportunity and tremendous challenges facing the City of Oakland.

In a crowded field of candidates, some with large campaign bank accounts and others with the blessings of the political establishment, Lynette won a hard-fought campaign. She stood out for many reasons but the most important one is that she was the most experienced candidate, having spent years working in community development, most recently and still, as the executive director of Neighborhood Housing Services of the East Bay, a NeighborWorks America affiliate headquartered in Richmond, California.

  NACEDA Takes the Annual Summit on the Road! 

October 2-4, 2013