CDS at 40: the past leading to the future

Field: Social Sciences (Social Sciences)

Community Development Society (CDS) started in 1970 in response to a need to provide opportunities for practitioners in the newly emerging community development profession to build their skills and advance professionally. unique vision of the founders was to closely link those involved in researching the discipline with those involved in the practice. strong network with local public officials charged with making the policies within which community development (CD) practitioners operate was a desired outcome. In many, if not most, instances, the CD person in the community shapes the climate within which CD activities are conducted. In Vol 1., No. 1., of the Journal, Duane L. Gibson wrote regarding goals for the emerging CDS: Here I would like to learn of new and tested ideas for improving the quality of community life--explicitly and objectively review so that I can determine whether they might work for me. Explorations of how you staff up, put a team together, organize to do a job. Here I would like to have a chance to examine and debate, with my colleagues, new theories of planned change. I want to be exposed to a wide range of ideas and people, a wider range than we may, perhaps, have at this time. Here I would like to consider new and unique approaches to the training of workers to serve community development ends.... It would include, hopefully, a journal to which we would all contribute ... In the same issue, C.B. Ratchford listed several major conditions in society, at that time, including: rapidity of change; urbanization; specialization and its consequences; large-scale social organization; expanding role of the public sector; creative federalism; and the affluent society. While specific topics and issues have changed in the past 40 years, the commitment of the Society to fostering effective community development has not. principles of good practice, updated several times, remain at the core of the Society's efforts to promote community development and will continue in the future. Adherence to these core values is one reason why the CDS has remained strong. In the past 40 years, the Journal has remained a major force in helping to upgrade the knowledge and capacity of CDS members but has also become a major publishing outlet for CD practitioners all over the world. It covers a broad range of issues pertinent to practitioners and scholars alike. recent survey of CDS members listed the Journal as one of the most valued services received. timeless mission and principles set for the Journal have made the broad core topics addressed consistent over the years. For example, the initial issue of the Journal discussed: The Community Development Profession in Today's Society; The Good Community--What Would It Be?; A Dynamic Approach to Participation in Community Development; and Training in Community Development. articles published in any recent issue of Community Development: Journal of the Community Development Society fit well into these topic areas. CDS in the future On the 40th Anniversary of CDS, the need for research and practice on CD topics is as strong, or perhaps even stronger, than in the 1970s. Advancements in knowledge, understanding, and practice of community development, many of which were fostered by the Society, mean that we can now address critical issues in more informed and successful ways. Subtle differences between business development, economic development, and community development are now recognized. While creating jobs is often among the highest priority issues, successful development practitioners understand and appreciate the need for effective community development. Researchers have made major contributions to our understanding of the importance of private-public partnerships, the role of community and private foundations, ways to bring all groups into development discussions, and the need to educate and motivate groups that in the past have not been part of the decisionmaking process. …