The Community Development Education (CDE) Initiative Team is a group of educators and specialists located across Wyoming that aim to increase the capacity of communities, enterprises and families to create a sustainable future in which to live, learn, and work. The team’s focus is outlined in the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service’s Strategic Plan. The CDE area is one of five outlined in the Strategic Plan.

This initiative helps develop communities by increasing skills in:

Communication—Creating shared understanding.
Problem Solving—Finding threads of agreement and weaving them together.
Decision Making—Using effective processes and science.
Leadership—Empowering people and communities towards a brighter future.
Goal Achievement—Attaining extraordinary results from ordinary resources.
Financial Management—Increasing stability and confidence.
Networks—Working together to build home and community.

Specific programs include

Extension Volunteer Organization for Leadership Vitality and Enterprise (EVOLVE): The purpose of EVOLVE is to facilitate the creation and implementation of a class that will increase the leadership capacity of individuals and organizations so that the ability to solve community problems will reside within the community.

Family Resource Management: An Internet reference page for improving your financial health.

MoneyTalk: A practical program using a nationally available curriculum that examines the needs of people regarding money, with a special emphasis on women. It explains concepts and strategies relevant to assessing, planning, accumulating, saving, and spending. Exercises provide opportunities to personalize information to each user’s own financial circumstances. Money Talk is often taught through group workshops and classes. The explanations and suggestions are relevant for men, as well. Sections include “Financial Basics,” “Insurance Basics,” “Investing Basics,” “Investing for Retirement,” and “Planning for Future Life Events.”

Board Training: An effective and sustainable organization requires a governing board that understands its responsibilities. UW CES programming in board training is targeted to appointed and non-profit boards. Specific topics include: defining the responsibilities of the board, management and staff, and volunteers; methods to make the most of board members' time and skills; awareness of relevant statutes; and fiduciary accountability.

Enterprising Rural Families: Enterprising Rural Families: Making It Work^TM is an educational program designed to assist families manage their rural enterprises for success. It was conceived by Extension educators in the United States working with collaborators in Queensland Australia and British Columbia Canada. A robust model describes the interlinking and overlap of individual, family, business
systems, and the community surrounding them. At the core is the rural family enterprise.

Originally developed as an online course with supporting electronic monthly newsletter, the team has developed CD-based modules for distribution and presentation in other venues. Strategic Manage-ment focuses on assisting families define and achieve the success they desire. The Resource Inventory course is designed to aid in resource identification and assessment.

Enterprising Rural Families: Making It WorkTM provides hands-on solutions to issues faced by rural enterprise managers everywhere. As such, the course is especially relevant to areas intent
on rural revitalization.

You may access the Enterprising Rural Families website at eRuralFamilies.org to access either CD course, request the monthly newsletter or view its archives, or investigate the on-line course.
Those interested in further information or training in the use of these materials can contact the authors at information@eRuralFamilies.org.

Beef and Sheep Production: A correspondence course that provides management principles needed for ranch management.

Mediation and Facilitation: Mediation is a way of settling disputes, by mutual agreement, using a trained, neutral third party. Mediators are not judges; the proceedings are confidential; civility, understanding, and creativity is encouraged; and the parties have the final say regarding what solutions will be adopted and implemented. The program will provide trained, neutral mediators who can help facilitate the resolution of many different kinds of issues, from minor business and neighborhood disputes to organizational and community conflicts. Facilitators provide assistance with strategic, tactical or operational planning, including goal setting and prioritization, or developing recommendations.

Personal Bankruptcy: A 2 hour seminar that covers basic money management topics. The certificate of completion issued with the class meets debtor education requirements required under bankruptcy law.