Community Development Institute

CDI is designed to train community development professionals and volunteers in the techniques of modern leadership and management of community development efforts. Since the program's inception, hundreds of community leaders from throughout the country, many from Texas, have participated in the program.

The comprehensive program curriculum is designed to meet the increasing challenges facing community developers in today's changing society and is applicable for community leaders from towns and cities of all sizes. CDI approaches community development as both a process and a program. It seeks to develop an individual's ability to identify community problems, set goals, encourage liaison with outside agencies, stimulate community interaction, and bring groups together to support competitive economic development, human resource development and quality of life issues.

Who Should Attend?
Organizations, community officials and volunteers associated with city, county and state government, chambers of commerce, private and public sector economic development organizations, utility companies, and financial institutions will find the institute a valuable learning tool for the development of individual and community leadership skills.

2012 Texas Community Development Institute

Advanced CDI

Advanced CDI is designed for individuals who have completed all three years of CDI as well as for those working in the field who want to stay on top and ahead of current trends. Making Good Decisions on Incentives will be the focus this year presented by Jerry Walker and Paul Scheuren of Impact DataSource. This Austin-based economic consulting and analysis firm has conducted more than 2,500 economic studies for clients in 26 states and developed computer models for clients to perform their own impact analyses. Participants will learn how to use economic impact analysis to fashion incentive packages through case studies, panel discussions, demonstrations of tools used to determine appropriate incentives and much more. Completion of Advanced CDI is recognized by the CDC for education requirements, training, work experience and eligibility criteria for re-certification.

CDI's Across the Nation

Community Development Council (CDC) is a national nonprofit organization with the mission of improving professional training and practice in community development. The CDC oversees a national network of Community Development Institutes, including sites in Arkansas, Idaho, Illinois, and West Virginia. For more information about the CDC and CDI site locations visit www.cdcouncil.com.

PCED Certification

Enhance your career by becoming a Certified Professional Community and Economic Developer. The CDC certifies individuals who demonstrate their experience, knowledge, and abilities as community development professionals. In order to earn the PCED certification, you must first qualify to take the examination through a point process earned through job experience and relevant education and training. Texas CDI will be offering the PCED exam on Thursday, March 8 from 2 – 4 p.m. Applications are available at http://www.cdcouncil.com/ccd.htm and must be submitted along with the applicable fees a minimum of 30 days prior to the scheduled examination date.

Accomodations

The Drury Inn & Suites Houston The Woodlands will be the host hotel for Texas CDI, with a discounted rate of $99 per night plus tax. To make a reservation, please call 1.800.325.0720 and refer to the Texas CDI group number of 2128176. For more information on the Drury Inn & Suites, please visit www.druryhotels.com.

Curriculum

Year One

• Principles and Processes of Community Development
• Community Assessments
• Infrastructure Development
• The Basics of Economic Development
• Developing Community Profiles
• Identifying and Working with Stakeholders/Volunteers/Leaders
• Visioning and Strategic Planning
• Teambuilding
• Workforce Training
• Tax Incentives
• Understanding Diversity
• Class Project - New Town

Year Two

• Trends and Issues in Public Policy
• Financial Resources for Community Development
• Community Entrepreneurship
• Basics of Land Use Planning
• Designing Communities
• Community Asset Mapping
• Benchmarking
• Business Retention and Expansion
• Financial Resources for Development
• Global Business Environment
• Site Selection/Target Markets
• Class Project - Heritage Park

Year Three

• Economic Modeling
• Workforce Development
• Working with the Media
• Managing Change
• Ethics in Community Development
• Community Healthcare
• Tourism
• Conflict Resolution
• Class Project - Best Practices