The Future of Community Development: The Field and the Society

2022 CDS Virtual Conference | July 17-20, 2022

Amidst an ongoing global pandemic, social uprisings, and a divisive political climate, these past few years have invited us all to reckon with our identities, our work, and our futures. Many are seeing with more clarity the vast inequities and injustices of our governments and economies that impact the financial, physical, and mental wellbeing of our communities. Where do we go with this knowledge? How do we leverage this moment to recommit to racial, economic, and environmental justice?

Community Development is a transdisciplinary field of study and practice – having academic homes in planning, public administration, sociology, macro social work, and more – and practitioners across levels of government, nonprofit CDCs, developers, philanthropy, and social entrepreneurs. While our specializations may be vastly different, we come together around commitments to collaboration, community-driven practice, community sovereignty, dignity within diversity, informed practice, liberation and empowerment, social justice, and sustainability. Together, the work of community development is inherently richer and more inclusive; together, we can lean into all forms of justice that ground our work.

Registration Discount

In an effort to maximize accessibility and participation from students and practitioners working with small nonprofits, CDS is offering a $50 reduction in registration fees for up to 20 students and 20 small nonprofit practitioners (the first to apply and qualify).

Because registration for student Members is only $25, we are limiting this discount to students seeking the conference registration + 1 year CDS Membership bundle (originally $100).

For practitioners, both existing and new Members qualify, so long as the nonprofit organization they work for has an operating budget of less than $500,000 USD.

Register

Unfortunately there is a temporary issue with conference registration that is out of our control. If you have trouble placing your registration order, please email admin@CDSociety.org with your name, the type of registration you are trying to place (regular, retiree, student), your title, and your organization. We will issue you an invoice and manually register you for the conference. We are so sorry for the inconvenience, and thank you for your patience.

Bundle: Conference Registration + 1-year CDS Membership

For non-members, conference registration includes 1 year of CDS membership.

If you are an active CDS Member, please log in to your account and return to this page to view conference-only registration options.

Conference Program

The 2022 conference program centered on two major foci: (1) the future of the field and (2) the future of CDS. There will be plenaries and sessions to explore these two themes. We will have traditional conference concurrent sessions of presentations and discussions as well as several opportunities to learn more about how to get involved in the Society. We will conclude with the Annual Meeting of the Members and small celebration on Wednesday.

 

Monday, July 18, 10am – 5pm Eastern Time (US & Canada)

This day will focus on Community Development as a field, featuring an opening plenary and several concurrent sessions.

10:00a – 12:00n     Opening Plenary: Community Development: Present and Future Directions

Moderated by Paul LaChapelle

Panelists: 

• James Calvin, incoming board member
• Lisa Gilchrist, incoming board member
• Neil Linscheid, incoming board member

Join us for an invigorating and interactive discussion on how the field of community development has stepped up to address the challenges of the last three years, how we can work to be more effective in engaging all voices in creating a prosperous future for all, and what roles might our society play in that process.

12:00n – 1:00p     Concurrent Social and Working Group Hour

1:00 – 2:15     Concurrent Sessions

2:30 – 3:45     Concurrent Sessions

4:00 – 5:00     Concurrent Roundtable Sessions

 

Tuesday, July 19, 10am – 6:30pm Eastern Time (US & Canada)

This day will focus on the Community Development Society, featuring a Society-focused plenary, more concurrent sessions, several participatory planning sessions with CDS working groups, and ways to get involved in the future of the Society.

10:00a – 12:00n     Society-Focused Plenary

Join us for a focused conversation on the future of The Community Development Society. We will explore how the Society can be a space for support and rejuvenation, a space that is open and welcoming to Members and past/prospective Members, and a space that embraces change. Building on previous Member discussions, this Roundtable will seek to strengthen relationships across the Society.

12:00n – 1:00p     Concurrent Chapter Meetings (Student Chapter & International Chapter)

1:00 – 2:15     Concurrent Sessions

2:30 – 3:45     Concurrent Sessions

4:00 – 5:00     New Tools Session

5:00 – 6:30    Poster Session & CDS Working Group Meet and Greets

 

Wednesday, July 20, 10am – 1pm Eastern Time (US & Canada)

This final half day will feature the Annual Meeting of the Members and an address from our 2021-2022 Chair, Ron Hustedde.

10:00a – 12:00n     Annual Meeting of the Members

12:00n – 12:15p    CDS Awards Ceremony

Facilitated by Michael Dougherty 

12:15 – 1:00    Presidential Address

Given by CDS Chair, Dr. Ronald Hustedde