Organizations Realizing Importance of Community Development in New Economy
Never before
has the practice of community development been more important than it
is today. As the world grows smaller through the increased use of global
communications, communities are finding their boundaries are expanding
and their fortunes are directly tied to events and forces beyond their
city limits. This increases the pressure on communities to focus globally
and yet prepare locally. The community development process has emerged
as a key factor in this local preparation and has resulted in a dramatic
increase in the number of individuals and organizations involved in community
development.
Individuals are now choosing community development as their vocation of
choice. Utilities and other private sector companies have recognized the
importance of strong communities to their bottom line and are devoting
staff to the practice of community development. Organizations such as
chambers of commerce are allocating staff to community development activities
resulting in a healthier community so that dollars invested in business
recruitment and infrastructure may be fully realized.
With the increase in demand for qualified community development professionals,
the need for continuing education and a certification process has emerged.
In the late 1980s the Community Development Institute in Conway, Arkansas
began offering a multi-year training program for anyone involved in community
development and has seen sister institutes formed in Texas, Idaho and
West Virginia.
In 1995, the Community Development Council (CDC) was incorporated
to provide the next level of qualification through a Certified Community
Developer (CCD) program designed to advance the standards of competence
among community development professionals. The certification program now called Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED) involves
the identification of core competencies required for effective community
development, integrating these competencies into professional development
opportunities, certification study materials, testing of knowledge and
demonstration of applied learning, and a method for re-certification beyond
the initial three-year period. The certification program is intended for
paid professionals currently involved in the practice of community development
who may have a career need for professional credentials. CDC encourages
community development volunteers to increase their skills through available
training programs, and has developed a certification program designed
especially for volunteers.
The CDC oversees the certification process through its board of trustees
and works collaboratively with the Community Development Institutes to
deliver the full range of services leading to certification. The 16-member
board is comprised of representatives from private industry, government,
educational institutions, and non-profits. SEDC serves as the administrative
home for CDC.