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~by Michael Wilcox
Assistant Director and Program Leader for Community Development/Purdue Extension
Associate Director/North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD)
Every year we use the last Purdue Extension Community Development newsletter as an opportunity to reflect on the year and look forward to the new one. The following represents the reflections of our Extension team members as they prepare for a well-deserved holiday break. From our Purdue Extension Community Development family to yours, we wish everyone peace and joy during this season of celebration and throughout the new year.
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“2022…Busy, busy, busy, but good because a lot of connections were made, and I look forward to expanding on those connections in 2023.” ~ Gina Anderson
“Closing out 2022 and heading into 2023 with much excitement and eagerness. I am very grateful to be part of the CD team and am looking forward to a year full of learning and professional growth! I look forward to all the relationships and connections I will make in 2023 to further develop the CD program in Porter Co.” ~Gina Avila
“As we near the close of 2022, I can’t help but reflect on how resilient our people & our communities have been coming out of the pandemic. I am very thankful to be able to enter a new year with great hope for all that is in store for our Community Development team & the communities we serve!” ~Cindy Barber
“For me, 2022 has included challenges, changes, opportunities, and blessings. The perspective, intentionality, gratitude, and hope that I’ve held onto and surrounded myself with, have consistently been the silver linings through it all. I look forward to carrying those same tools—perspective and intentionality—with me into the new year, while I strive to identify and address complex problems around me; offer gratitude for the support I have in my family, friends, and Extension colleagues; and express hope for what’s yet to come in the new year. May each of us find and acknowledge the blessings around us, and be committed to helping others do the same on this journey into the new year.” ~Tara Beckman
Twenty-twenty-two, as I reflect on you,
it hardly seems time to bid you adieu.
Your entrance was grand in my little world,
but oh, quickly, your days unfurled.
The light of hope that shone brightly day one,
brought opportunity, challenges, and a whole lot of fun.
We made great strides, but there’s always more.
I can’t wait to see what the next year has in store. ~Cheri Brown
“During my first year in community development, I’ve had the great opportunity to see people in action, watch them overcome challenges and create opportunities, and to help them both celebrate and enhance their communities. I’m looking forward to seeing what the next year brings.” ~Dallas Evans
“As I reflect on 2022, I am grateful for the opportunity to join Purdue Extension Community Development. I love being part of a team that is passionate and sincere. I look forward to bringing Community Development programs to Allen County.” ~Ashlee Fiandaca
“I am grateful for another trip around the sun realizing it was only grace that has kept me. I am thankful for my family whom I love with all I am. I am blessed to have a job I love to come to and to work with kind and generous coworkers. My heart overflows just because I’m here. We’ve all made it through another year that so many did not. That alone gives me a feeling of hopefulness for the coming year with new and promising surprises around every corner. Look for the good, it’s there…just hiding sometimes. Happiest of Holidays and I look forward to seeing you all in 2023!!!” ~Rita Jacquie Gillis
“2022 was full of learning and projects as our communities examined ways to further develop capacity to address pressing issues associated with workforce development, leadership development, childcare, and organizational needs. I’m looking forward to recharging a little bit this winter and then pressing forward in 2023 at a more sustainable pace. My hope for 2023 is stability in the midst of striving to do better. The past two years have been filled with many pendulum swings within our economy and community connectedness/trust. Let’s work together to make our communities one that we are proud to call “home”!” ~Tanya Hall
“It was great to have the opportunity in 2022 to return to most of our traditional in-person program offerings and staff development opportunities but also to continue many of the alternative and virtual formats implemented during COVID that have remained successful. I look forward to continuing to offer programming opportunities in 2023 utilizing a variety of formats to best reach our diverse clientele.” ~Nick Held
“2022 was a year of change both personally and professionally for me. I am very thankful for the fresh start in my new county which included a new role in community development. I look forward to seeing what 2023 holds.” ~Jeff Hermesch
“This year I am thankful for everyone on our amazing team for working together and dedicating their time and talents to hosting the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals Conference in Indiana last June. It was an honor to showcase Indiana and Purdue Extension Community Development’s work and to be able to gather in person and learn from our colleagues across the land grant university system again. Looking forward to continued team work and collaboration in 2023!” ~Tamara Ogle
“This past year has been a welcoming return to some great in-person programming and a super 2022 NACDEP conference in Indy! It’s been wonderful to have many new teammates who are jumping into to existing programs and new opportunities. I also love being able to work together with trusted colleagues to move towards even deeper community impact as we shift and grow as professionals and a program area.” ~Kris Parker
“I hope that everyone has a great holiday season and time to reflect on what impact they have had on others this past year. In addition, I hope for miracles and happiness for all in 2023.” ~Jeff Pell
“In 2023, I am looking forward to building deeper connections with community members, leaders, and my team members. I plan to spend time before the end of the year reflecting on successes and what I have learned from things that could have gone better this past year. I am grateful for my Community Development team for all of their support and encouragement. I look forward to celebrating the accomplishment of our goals together in 2023!” ~Krista Pullen
“I am hopeful that 2023 will bring exciting new accomplishments for our CD team. It is a pleasure to work with such a talented group of people.” ~Kara Salazar
“Reflecting on the past year is always a mixed-feelings type of activity….. I remember the good (including the marriage of our daughter!) but lament the misfortunes experienced by so many… I look forward optimistically to what 2023 can bring and appreciate the ongoing opportunities that will open up for us all!” ~Jose (Lupe) Valtierra
“As I reflect on last year I feel encouraged by the amount of change I’ve been able to adapt to, learn from, and grow with in my career with Extension. It keeps things fresh and interesting and it looks like 2023 will offer lots of exciting opportunities as well! I’m looking forward to meeting and getting to know and work with all the new cd educators! I love our team!” ~Kristi Whitacre
“My first year at extension has flown by! I am grateful for a lot of things in my life and the many new adventures I encountered this year. I am looking forward to a new beginning and the many opportunities ahead in 2023.” ~Reba Wicker
“For me, this year can be summed up by one word – transition. Our Purdue Extension Community Development team has bid farewell to several retiring team members and welcomed new ones with open arms. This coming year we are looking forward to moving from a transition phase to a strategic implementation phase by carrying on with our impactful current programming and launching exciting new initiatives.” ~Michael Wilcox
“This year has at times been dizzying with too many things coming down the pipe at once, however I am extremely grateful to work with our Community Development team and am excited about the deep, impactful work we are doing in our communities. Here’s to another year of moving the needle in Indiana.” ~Elisa Worland
“Helping to plan and watch the NACDEP Conference through completion was the highlight of the year for me. I’m looking forward to developing more relevant content with my fellow educators in the coming year.” ~Kayla Wright
“My hope for 2023 is that Indiana’s communities discover even greater value in the programming we deliver.” ~Steve Yoder
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A Pledge for the New Year
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~by Steve Yoder, Community Development Regional Educator, Purdue Extension
A standard best practice in recruiting members to any community board is to provide them with a written role description to give them a good understanding of what that volunteer position will entail. Topics covered in the description usually range from developing policies to evaluating the Executive Director annually.
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Beginners Guide to Grant Writing
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~Dr. Larry DeBoer
November 29, 2022
The holidays are here. Time for good cheer and happy thoughts, even if candy canes and sugar plums cost 7.8 percent more this year than last.
That’s the 12-month inflation rate as of October 2022. The Consumer Price Index for all items shows prices 7.8 percent higher than in October 2021. This year has seen the highest inflation since the early 1980s.
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February 2 and March 2, 2023 - Vigo County
