The Community Development Academy (CDA) is a participant-centered workshop that engages volunteer teams in the development of community improvement strategies. No prior planing or community development experience is required, just the willingness to invest in community betterment. Interested participants are asked to put together a group of people (a team of five is ideal) from their community to participate in the workshop. During the training, teams will meet one to two days per week over a three week period. Between sessions, they will be given homework. During this three-week experience, community teams will be guided through a process that asks them to:
* Assess their community assets and devise a public engage plan
* Make initial contacts for a community-wide effort
* Devise a draft community development process plan
* Identify needed resources and meet resource providers
After the workshop, participants will have a characterization of their community, a community involvement plan and resources to help them in the process of reaching their goals.
Communities are encouraged to recruit team members who have an active role in housing, community or economic development, or those who will have similar roles in the future. Teams are encouraged to include community leaders and youth participants. For teams of five or more, the training costs $125 per person; for teams of four or few, the cost is $150 per person. This fee covers all materials and meals for the academy.
The CDA is being held in conjunction with a Community Coaching Academy - a training for Extension and economic development professionals. The Coaching Academy will meet with the teams, plus two extra days - Feb. 24 and March 11.
Applications and registratin for the academy session are available online until February 12.
For more information, visit www.k-state.edu/cecd/cda
Communities interested in attending the Community Development Academy (CDA) Feb. 25, March 3 and 4 and March 10 in Independence can register online until Feb. 12.
