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2004 NRDP Annual Conference
Congratulations and thanks to the Oklahoma Rural Development Council, and all
the people and organizations involved in the 2004 NRDP Annual Conference in
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma August 29th-September 2nd. The event brought together
the leadership of 38 State Rural Development Councils (SRDCs) with rural
development experts from across the nation. Attendees were treated to various workshops and presentations on different rural development issues and initiatives.
They also were treated to several pleasant and interesting sites and
performances from local Oklahoma groups and individuals.
Ranging from music performances, to winery visits, to policy consultations,
to learning stations, to downtown beautification, the conference was a steady parade of interesting and relevant discussion and work on rural development issues. Thanks again to all those involved in making this a fun and memorable conference!
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2004 Ron Schaffer Awards Presented at NRDP
Annual ConferenceSeptember 2004
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In recognition of their excellence in service to rural
America, Dianne McSwain and Dennis Engelke have been honored with one of the
National Rural Development Partnership's most prestigious marks of distinction,
the Ron Schaffer Award. Dennis received his award on August 30th at the
NRDP National Leadership Conference in Oklahoma City, OK. Dianne received hers
September 13 at the NRDC monthly meeting in Washington, DC.
The Ron Schaffer Award was established in 2000 to honor
Professor Ron Schaffer, a founding member and advocate of the National Rural
Development Partnership. It is given to individuals who embody “the values
necessary to build a national and state rural development partnership that meets
the diverse needs of rural America.” The person or council nominated must
meet at least three out of the following six criteria: overcoming barriers,
collaboration and partnership, impact, diversity and inclusion, leadership
development, and well-grounded overall efforts. Winners are chosen by a diverse
panel representing USDA Rural Development, the National Rural Development
Council, the NRDP Executive Board, Partners for Rural America, and the network
of State Rural Development Councils.
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Dennis
Engelke served as Director of Member Services for Texas Electric
Cooperatives for 26 years. His duties included coordinator and instructor of
director and employee training, director for the Government-in-Action Youth Tour
for 25 years, and facilitator of rural community and economic development
activities. In December 2003, Engelke was hired as Director of Member and
Employee Relations at CoServ, an electric cooperative serving six Texas counties
in the North Dallas Metroplex area. In June 2004, he became CoServ’s Director of
Marketing and Communications. Engelke is the immediate past Chair of Texas Rural
Partners, Inc., and serves as President of Partners for Rural America. He has
also been active in leadership positions in the National FFA Alumni Council, Boy
Scouts of America and United Way. Nominators emphasize that “Mr. Engelke is
known for his dedication to rural America, and his ability to bring people
together around a common goal.”
(Click here for Cheryl
Hinckley's speech for Dennis Engelke's Ron Shaffer award)
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Dianne
McSwain brings over 20 years experience in the provision of social services
to her Special Assistant to the Director position with the Office of
Intergovernmental Affairs at U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS). Since it’s
inception, McSwain has represented HHS on the NRDC, the Washington, D.C. arm of
the NRDP. She served as the chairperson of the Council for two years and leads
the Partnership's initiatives to develop a mechanism for rural input to the
federal policy and regulatory process in welfare reform and health care issues.
McSwain has also been instrumental in the formation of the Secretary’s Rural
Task Force, the HHS intradepartmental effort to improve communication and
coordination among HHS programs serving rural America. Nominators define McSwain
as “a champion for diversity and inclusiveness within the NRDP.” She has worked
tirelessly to bring absent partners to the table for discussion and action.
(Click here to
read Mary Randolph's speech for Dianne's Ron Shaffer award)
The 2004 Ron Schaffer Award recipients embody the true spirit of the Award,
and are a living reminders of what the National Rural Development Partnership is
working to achieve.
For more information, please contact Jen Larson at USDA Rural Development
jlarson@ocdx.usda.gov or
202-690-4749.
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"Slice of Life"
Photography Contest
In May 2004, Rural Development’s Community Development Programs introduced
its first “Slice of Life” Photography Contest. EZ/EC, REAP Zones, SRDCs and
Champion Communities were invited to showcase their best community snapshot
based on three categories; People Doing Community Development Work, Before and
After and Innovative Community Development Projects. Winning photographs were sent to the respective communities and were displayed
at the NRDP Annual Conference in Oklahoma City, and are also on permanent
display in the USDA Rural Development National Office. These photographs reflect
the impact that each community has made in rural community work. The winners
are:
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Clinch-Powell
Enterprise Community Washburn, Tennessee |
![](ClinchPowell1.jpg)
![](ClinchPowell2.jpg) |
Before and After
The “Not Barn Yesterday” heritage barn is an example of community pride and a
product of the community’s tourism initiatives. It was designed and painted by
Washburn High School art students. |
![](MottNDR.jpg) |
Southwest Reap Zone
Mott, North Dakota
Innovative Community Development Projects |
The Playhouse Theatre is owned and operated by the Mott Area Chamber of
Commerce. With the help of volunteers, it provides family entertainment for area
residents and nearby towns.
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![](YthbldCA.jpg) |
Tulare County Champion Community
Tulare County, California
People Doing Community Development Work
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Community Services and Employment Training, Inc. is a community action
agency for Tulare County. Since its inception, it has recruited over two
hundred young adults to build 30 affordable homes while completing their
education. |
![](Grundy-SeqCC.jpg) |
Hands
Across the Mountain Champion Community
Coalmont, Tennessee
People Doing Community Development Work
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Three generations of
the Trickler family: Steve, Justin and Ken, work side-by-side to construct a new
office for the community's non-profit, Highland Development, Incorporated. |
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Pictures
from the Conference
Coming Soon
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