The workshop was introduced by Lyn Conley, President of the District Presidents Association and President of Mid-South District. The history of this committee, starting as conversation at the 1996 GA and evolving to an ad hoc group at the 1998 GA, was recounted by Chris Green, Past President of the District Presidents Association and Past President of Prairie Star District. Also noted was the presence by invitation of the many other stakeholders at the 1999 meeting in Salt Lake City where more than 130 people attended the meeting. The districts vary widely in size and geographic disbursement. Their programs and resources are in constant flux, providing a challenge even in this age of the World Wide Web.
Web site is already two years old.
Its replacement must be identified. Also needed is identifying best practices as well as failures and gaps in services within and among the districts. Another experiment is the regional gathering of small congregations for leadership development. Yet a third is the use of interactive technologies over the Web. Other activities worthy of observation and study are the various approaches to training the trainers, conflict resolution, fundraising, and consultation for compensation and finances.