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National CRD Conference held
by Jeff Curnow –
| < L-R: MAJOR Dave Hudson, 2004 Award of Excellence winners Sam Calhoun and Sharon Landers, and Lt. Colonel Kurt Burger at the National CRD Conference. |
More than 600 delegates attended the 2004 National Community Relations and Development Conference, held in Dallas, TX.; over 340 of the delegates participated in one-day pre-conference sessions. During the conference, delegates had a choice of 40 sessions to choose from, covering themes such as: Ethics In The Non-Profit Sector; The Challenges of Integrated Marketing; Media Relations—The Whole Story; and “New Think” for Development. Dr. Marvin Olaskey, editor of WORLD magazine, gave the keynote address. Other noted guests included Sarah Pomish of Young and Rubicam; Peggy Wehmeyer, formerly ABC World Tonight religion editor, now with World Vision Radio; and Brian Gallagher, president and CEO of United Way of America. All spoke in plenary session, with Pomish and Gallagher also presenting in smaller workshops. As president of the United Way, Gallagher faced some tough questions, answering as many as time permitted. The celebration of “best practices in development” included presenting the 2004 Award of Excellence to a recipient from each territory. Sharon Lander, Western territorial planned giving director and Sam Calhoun, Sierra del Mar DHQ, were recognized for their work in planning and implementing the Hope Brigade project. The host Texas Division, headquartered in Dallas, proved the slogan, “Everything’s Bigger in Texas” by treating delegates to a Texas-style barbeque at Camp Hoblitzelle. At over 4,000 acres, the division’s camp is the largest Army facility in the world.