National Rural Development Partnership

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.

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)
 

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.

"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:

Clinch-Powell Enterprise Community
Washburn, Tennessee

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.

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.

Tulare County Champion Community
Tulare County, California
People Doing Community Development Work  

 Hands Across the Mountain Champion Community
Coalmont, Tennessee
People Doing Community Development Work

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.

Coming Soon

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