Communique #3 - 8 April 2024

Hi Circle of Friends,

Welcome to Communique #3

Thank you for your continuing interest in establishing an Institute to strengthen and sustain the practice of Community Development.

In this communique, we share the year’s planning highlights and foreshadow a Decision-Making Forum to be held this November 2024.

Focused Strategic Engagement

March – June 2024

CDII’s work will concentrate on supporting and consolidating our relationships with interested individuals, both in Queensland and other states, organisations and sectors e.g. peak bodies, arts, health, environment, and education. This work intends to support gatherings of people interested in holding the practice of community development.

We want to hear what is important to you, and your thoughts on how an institute could be structured to support us all. Where possible a member of the Steering Committee will attend focused gatherings in person and/or online.

Decision-Making Forum

November 2024

From July to October, we will work towards developing a responsive structure. We will bring together the guidance you shared, through our engagements with you all. Your input will shape the structure and operation of the Community Development Institute.

The Decision-Making Forum will be held in November. Stay tuned for further information in Communique #4.

Welcome: Natasha Odgers

The CDII Steering Committee welcomes Natasha Odgers. Natasha will work with the CDII’s Strategic Engagement Special Interest Group, for six (6) hours weekly, until the end of June. The purpose is to support the implementation of our engagement strategy for rural and regional Queensland, and for key nodes, organisations and sectors, throughout Australia. Natasha has extensive experience in community development practice, neighbourhood centres, disaster resilience and in the environmental sector.

Validation of an Institute

There is widespread interest in the CDI Initiative. People have expressed their interest and support for CDII through the website and contact with Steering Committee members. If you haven’t already done so, we ask you to indicate your interest in the CDII by completing the form on the website.

We are keen to know the locality and state you live in, why you are interested in this initiative, and how you would like to be involved. Please access the website for the form, and any updates: www.communitydevelopmentinstitute.com.au

Working Draft CDII

VISION and MISSION

Vision

Communities are strong, connected and able to drive societal change grounded in human rights and social justice.

Mission

CDI works to build collective voices and capability to understand and practice community development across all structures, systems and sectors.

Working Primary Objects

1.   To hold the mission for Community Development as a citizen-led practice for social and structural change.

2.   To advance a collective voice of citizens, regions and organisations for policy and systemic change

3.   To form structural alliances with organisations, which align with our vision and mission.

4.   To be systemically accountable to our constituents.

5.   To create a ripple effect of positive change based on ecological and social justice principles.

Warm regards,

The CDI Steering Committee