The annual September gathering grew out of a critical need five years ago when many development officials were leaving West Virginia for specialized, high-quality training.

Organized by the West Virginia University Extension Service and the West Virginia Development Office, Community Development Institute East is one of five national institutes endorsed by the Community Development Council. It continues to attract participants from throughout West Virginia and from as far away as Florida.

The annual weeklong seriesgenerally called CDI Eastwill again engage a diverse group of participants when classes run from Sept. 25-29 at the Embassy Suites in Charleston.

CDI East offers a three-year programone week a yearfor anyone interested in community and economic development. Participants have included local development directors, state and federal agency staffers, elected officials and community activists.

Many individuals and private-sector businesses find the institutes training valuable because it provides tools to enhance the leadership and management capabilities of those individuals responsible for developing our communities,said Michael Dougherty, the WVU Extension specialist who oversees the institute in his role as course director.

Each year, more than 30 speakers make presentations during the three-tiered week.

We make minor adjustments to the course listing every year,Dougherty said.That way we can ensure we meet the needs of the attendees while making sure our curriculum is up to the standards set by the Community Development Council.

Among the changes this year are the introduction of theNew Townsimulation in Year I, a revamping of the regional planning simulation in Year II and additional sessions on local revitalization in Year III .

The Year I curriculum includes principles and processes of community development, workforce development, team building, community assessment, facilitation skills, group dynamics, diversity awareness, conflict resolution, community profile development, global trends, personal leadership styles and visioning/strategic planning.

The Year II curriculum includes trends and issues in community development, tourism, conflict management and negotiation, trends and issues in public policy, telecommunication and technology infrastructure, community asset mapping, impact analysis, business retention and expansion, health care and community development, public sector/government funding, regional development and community surveys.

The Year III curriculum offers working with economic modeling, community marketing, e-governance and e-commerce, environmental issues, housing, politics and lobbying, media relations, community development financing, land use planning, new community development corporations, commercial and industrial development, community indicators and the Community Reinvestment Act.

CDI East is one of five institutes held throughout the country. The first started in 1987 in Arkansas. Others are held in Texas, Idaho and Illinois.

CDI Easts featured sponsor is Verizon. Other sponsors include American Electric Power, Chesapeake Energy Corp., BB&T and The State Journal.

Registration for CDI East continues through Sept. 11. The registration fee is $500 through Aug. 28 and $550 thereafter.

For more information, contact Michael Dougherty, WVU Extension specialist, by phone, 304-293-6131 ext. 4215, or e-mail, Michael.Dougherty@mail.wvu.edu . Registration details are also available on the Web,www.ext.wvu.edu/cdi-east/.