OCCD Summer Meeting

The Ohio Conference of Community Development is celebrating our organization’s 60th year! The planning committee for the anniversary decided the occasion calls for gifting swag at the summer meeting. I remember it was in January when we were meeting on what these items may look like because it was around the time of the inauguration of President Trump which took place on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The occasion provided inspiration for what will be included on the summer swag, a specific quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “What affects one directly affects all indirectly”. I’ve also had the quote written on the white board in my office ever since. As a community development professional, the quote reminds me how a single project can result in many meaningful changes and that our work impacts lives. Community development is about taking steps forward to improve the future for residents in our communities. Our careers are special because we have the opportunity to influence the future of Ohio. I hope that OCCD’s summer meeting is an occasion to give ourselves kudos. I am immensely grateful for the careers of every OCCD member, past, present and future. The people who have made up the OCCD membership for the last 60 years have taken effective actions to contribute to betterment of countless wonderful places throughout Ohio.

I think you’ll find that the agenda for the summer meeting is exciting. I’m looking forward to many presentations by practitioners from all over Ohio. Communities sharing during our summer meeting include the City of Columbus, the City of Mount Vernon, the City of Marion, the City of Springfield, Montgomery County, the City of Westerville, the City of Delaware, Hocking County, Athens County and Perry County. We’ll also have the opportunity to hear from Tony Core, Principal, Squire Patton Boggs LLP, who will provide a Statehouse legislative update.

Additionally, we’ll have an incredible keynote speaker during lunch on Wednesday. Katy Crosby, Chief of Community Engagement and Institutional Accountability for the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, will offer awesome insight and inspiration during her talk on developing partnerships with families and community stakeholders, highlighting how expanded access to programs offers key vehicles of empowerments.

I am looking forward to seeing you all later this month. It’s always a pleasure to learn with you.

Lucie McMahon, OCCD Vice President