By Eugene T. Lowe
March 29, 2004

The Department of Housing and Urban Development Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development Roy Bernardi, has issued a "Declaration of National Community Development Week" as cities, counties and states continue their preparation for National Community Development Week, April 12 - 18. Over the next several weeks, mayors and county executive will do virtually the same as Bernardi. The issuance of proclamations, declarations, and resolutions are typical for the week long celebration that calls attention to the outstanding achievements of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

The structure of the proclamation is simple and straightforward, citing a brief history of the program, followed with a more detailed description of CDBG's impact that is city or jurisdiction specific. Key facts include the program's inception ( signed into law by President Gerald Ford in 1974), and brief mention of the CDBG's goals and purposes ( meeting the needs of low - and moderate income persons, addressing neighborhood and human service needs, etc.).

For sample proclamations, resolutions, and a sample press release, please see the National Community Development Association's (NCDA) Guidebook for this year's celebration. In addition to the issuance of proclamations, declarations, and resolutions, NCDA suggests many specific activities to celebrate CD Week. These are a few of the suggestions:

• Plan Congressional tours, breakfasts or receptions with agency and community leaders.
• Encourage each of your CDBG assisted subrecipients to put together at least one event.
• Hold at least one large public event, such as a rally.
• Hold a "Best Practices" awards ceremony for your subrecipients and get your congressional representative or Senator to present the awards.
• Proclamations by local governing bodies, local chief executive officers, or state legislators for CDBG Week should be arranged. These proclamations can be bought to the attention of your local media. Ask your Congressional delegation to attend a reading of the proclamation.
• Secure a spot on a local TV or radio talk show, and make use of public service announcements.
• Have CDBG displays with posters, photographs, and/or other visual tools in city halls, bank lobbies, libraries, etc.
• Organize mailings of CDBG postcards to members of your congressional delegation.

Copies of the National Community Development Association guidebook can be obtained by: phone 202-293-7587; fax 202-887-5546; or from the website ncdaonline.org