Thank you for sending me a copy of the proposal for a non-credit

Dear Mark,

professional certificate in Community Economic Development. As you

know, I have always taken particular interest in the work of the Centre, and

believe that your programs provide a valuable and important way for the

University to reach into the community to benefit the communities

themselves as well as our students. It is clear that this program will

respond to growing demands in the evolving B. C. economy, and provide

tangible benefits to communities around the province

The Centre continues the tradition of interdisciplinary programs that have

been an ongoing characteristic of the University and the Faculty of Arts. I

agree that the Centre has reached a point in its development where the

establishment of this non-credit certificate represents a natural extension

of the work of the Centre, and thus I fully support

this

proposal. It has

always been clear that the Centre has a mandate that includes applied as

well as purely academic programming, and this professional certificate will

add an important capacity to teach in applied areas.

This

capacity, in

turn, will enhance the resources available to core academic programs of the

Centre as well, and should have recruiting value by providing a path into

the Centre's credit programs.

Yo-a

rs

John T. Pierce

Dean of Arts

A.

COMMUNITY

ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY, BURNABY, BC, CANADA V5A

Mark Roseland, Ph.D., Director

rosthind@sfu.ca

(604) 291-4161

Penny Simpson, Program Assistant

psimpson@sfu.ca

(604) 291-5850

Christina Lai Secretary ?

chrLthzi@sfu.ca

(604) 291.5849

Website: http:/Iwww.sfr.ca/cedc/

Fax: (604) 291-5473

March 6, 2000

Dr. Cohn Yerbury

Dean of Continuing Studies

Simon Fraser University

Dear Cohn,

I am pleased to be enclosing a copy of the CED Centre's proposal for a Professional Program in CED

leading to a non-credit certificate.

As you know, this program has been in development for some time. We have grounded it in the

experience of the Centre in offering courses, research, and technical assistance in communities over

• ?

the past 10 years. We have also worked hard to ensure that it reflects the interests and concerns of

the CED sector.

This program proposal has been endorsed by the CED Centre's Steering Committee, which is

presently comprised of Steve Duguid, Chair, Humanities Department; Alison Gill, Chair, Geography;

Judy Oberlander, Director, The City Program; Jery Zaslove, Director, Institute for the Humanities; and

myself. John Munro is also on the Steering Committee but was away when we discussed this

proposal.

This version of the proposal incorporates a few clarifications in response to suggestions made at the

Senate Committee on Continuing Studies meeting on February 16. We understand that you will now

forward it to SCAP for consideration and finally on to Senate.

Thanks to you and your staff once again for your encouragement and assistance in developing this

program. We look forward to working with you closely over the coming months.

Sincerely,

oseland

' Director, Community Economic Development Centre

Associate Professor, Department of Geography

enclosures

Sustaining

Communities through Cooperation and Partnerthps

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Investing in People

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to write a letter in support of your proposal for a professional program in

Community Economic

Development, Such a program is both timely and necessary. The

economy of the provrnce of British Columbia is going through restructuring

that has left many

communities wondering how they should adapt. Increasingly,

they

are turning to community-

based strategies to ensure the preservation of their

economic

base in a manner that also takes into

account the social and environmental dimensions Of their comnaünity.

Naturally, the success of these communities in reinventing their economies is wholly dependent

on the capacity of the people who are engaged in the process. A Simon Fraser University

professional program in CED will support these people in developing the insight arid skills. they

need to accomplish their objectives.

As a community-based, democratic financial institution, VanCity Credit Union also supports

CED. Our credit union makes graritsand loans to non-profit organizaons, co-operatives and

businesses that are engaged in CED. Recently, VanCity created a

new

subsidiary, VanCity

Capital Corporation, to provide growth capital to CED initiatives.

We can óniy grant our financial support to initiatives that are led by people who have what it

takes to succeed. By providing CED training to professionals, SFTJ will help to increase the flow

of capital to the communities that can use it well. SFU will also assist VanCity and its

subsidiaries to build a portfolio of projects that provide returns to their communities as well as to

our credit union.

The number of highly

interesting and successful projects that CEDC graduates have undertaken is

evidence that the education delivered by the Centre is of high quality. I am completely confident

that the proposed program would set the same high standard and I would be honoured to serve on

its Advisory Committee.

Senate Committee on Continuing Studies

A PROPOSAL FOR A

PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM IN COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

leading to a non-credit certificate

Prepared by:

The Centre for Community Economic Development

Background............................................................................................1

February, 2000

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Community Economic Development Centre at SFU .................................1

How the Professional Program in CED is Unique ..........................................2

Benefits for Simon Fraser University ............................................................3

TargetAudience

......................................................................................3

Faculty/Instructional Staff ...........................................................................4

TheCurriculum .........................................................................................4

Instructional Methods

...............................................................................6

DeliveryMode ..........................................................................................6

Evaluation...............................................................................................6

CredentialGranted ...................................................................................7

Admission to the Program .........................................................................7

Tuition....................................................................................................7

Location in the University ...........................................................................7

AdvisoryGroup

.......................................................................................8

PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM IN COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

BACKGROUND

Community Economic Development (CED) is a community-based and community-directed

process that explicitly combines social and economic development and fosters the economic,

social, environmental and cultural well-being of communities and regions. CED activities are

planned and implemented in a variety of public, private and "third sector" sites including

economic development organizations, credit unions and non-profit societies and foundations.

As we begin the new century, we expect CED activity to expand. The need for strategies to

build resilient communities continues to increase. There is unprecedented support by federal

and provincial governments for CED initiatives. In October, 1999, the new BC Ministry of

Community Development, Co-operatives and Volunteers announced a $10 million program for

community enterprise and co-operative development. As well, the federal Human Resources

and Development Canada department is providing funding for CED research, pilot projects and

information and learning networks. As a result, the demand for effective training and

professional development education will increase.

While the CED field in British Columbia is rich in experience, there are no structures in place for

systematic training and professional development. Neither are there provincial or professional

standards for CED practice. Depending on the workplace, practitioners possess a range of

. ?

skills that can be applied to their CED work. They acquire new skills and knowledge on-the-job

and in an ad hoc manner through conference attendance, professional association events and

participation in specialized training opportunities, often out-of-province. Informal mentoring also

assists in developing skills. Where CED is a new focus for an organization or community, it is

often difficult for inexperienced practitioners to obtain the skills they need to develop a

successful project.

Current research underway with economic development professionals in BC indicates a great

deal of interest in training and professional development that recognizes existing skills and

experience but increases individual expertise. Participants in the study described a wide range

of training needs including: knowledge about CEO models and best practice; tools to increase

their skills in organizational management; tools for business and financing. A training program

offered in an intensive, short-term format is an attractive and practical alternative to an

academic program for working professionals.

There is also interest in training at a more basic level to build capacity for CED among new

practitioners, especially in the non-profit sector.

THE CEb CENTRE AT SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

The CEO Centre is the ideal initiator of the Professional Program in CED.

The Centre was established in 1989 out of the active support of fifty faculty members across

many departments, as well as community organizations outside the university. The Centre's

goal is to provide research, training and advisory services to the CED sector in British Columbia

through a team of associates drawn from the university and the CED field.

The Centre offers a 30-credit post-baccalaureate CED Diploma Program, a 19-credit

undergraduate CED certificate and graduate student supervision and administers an

internationally-acclaimed website. The Centre has an international reputation for effective

and innovative education, training and research in CED, drawing students from Canada and

throughout the world. All of the Centre's credit courses are offered at Harbour Centre and

through Distance Education.

The CED Diploma

By combining courses from a number of different disciplines with a specially designed core

program of study and opportunities for guided practice, the program provides unique

perspectives on issues of economic, social, and cultural development within communities. To

complete the Diploma, students do a practicum in which they work with an organization on

solving a problem in CED. Projects have included developing affordable housing and

establishing a farmers' market, employment training with immigrant communities, co-operative

and non-profit business enterprises and various kinds of social entrepreneurship.

The CED Certificate

Launched in 1999, the undergraduate program is designed for those who may not already

have a university degree, and/or for those who may wish a more compact, less costly credential.

It consists of four CED courses and one elective.

Graduate Study in CED

Although the Centre does not yet offer a formal graduate program, graduate students are

associated with the Centre either through existing University Departments such as Geography,

or more directly through Special Arrangements. Graduate study is an important component of

the Centre's research program.

Professional Program in CED

The proposed non-credit Professional Program will add an important component to the

Centre's activities because it provides access for CED practitioners who seek knowledge

and skills, but do not necessarily desire an academic credential. The courses are shorter

than the academic offerings and are oriented to practice. The proposed program will also be

attractive to credit students because it will offer educational opportunities not available in full-

semester courses.

HOW THE PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM IN CEb IS UNIQUE

Several institutions across Canada offer professional development programs that are relevant

for CED practitioners. Some programs focus on the community development aspect of CED,

such as the one-week summer Institute at Concordia University or the Community Development

Institute presented annually in British Columbia. On the other hand, the University of Waterloo

offers a Certificate and Diploma in Economic Development that emphasizes the business

aspect of CED.

The proposed Professional Program in CED is unique because it is comprehensive and

inclusive of different perspectives. Participants will acquire knowledge and skills relating to the

full range of CED whatever the context of their work. The CED sector members of the Advisory

Group will ensure that the program maintains its inclusive framework.

In addition to providing job-oriented training, the program will play a significant role in building

cohesiveness in the CED sector.

BENEFITS FOR SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

As a complement to the Centre's academic program, the offering of the proposed non-credit

Program will accomplish an important part of the Centre's mandate to create opportunities for

professional development. The support we have received from the CED sector is a significant

factor in the success we anticipate for the Professional Development Program in CED.

As the leading academic CED unit in Western Canada, the Centre has amassed expertise and

experience that is not available at any other BC educational institution. We expect some

students in the proposed new program to use it as a stepping stone to the Centre's academic

degree programs or others at the university. We have designed the core courses and electives

. ?

to support such a transition.

TARGET AUDIENCE.

The Professional Program in CED has been designed for participants who have some personal

frame of reference and/or career experience related to CEO. Some of the anticipated

participants will include individuals who are:

• staff or volunteers in economic development organizations such as Community Futures

Corporations, Economic Development Associations, Aboriginal Economic Development

Corporations;

employees in the corporate sector where there is interest in community participation and

corporate social responsibility;

staff or volunteers in non-profit sector organizations with a CEO focus such as credit

union foundations, anti-poverty organizations and housing societies; and

employees in government departments with an interest in CED such as industrial

adjustment, re-training and social welfare.

In some cases, participants may be sponsored by their employer or a government agency. The

Centre intends to establish a bursary fund for those participants who require a financial subsidy

for tuition or for travel and accommodation.

The

FACULTY/INSTRUCTIONAL

program will draw on the expertise

STAFF

of faculty

and instructors associated with the CED

Centre who are experienced in a broad range of CED subjects. The program will also establish

instructional liaisons with scholars and practitioners in the field who have relevant expertise and

experience.

THE CURRICULUM

Candidates for the Professional Program in CED will complete a minimum of 120 contact hours

which will be offered in a variety of formats including:

Friday-Saturday courses (16 hours)

Weeknight courses over a period of 4-5 weeks (16 hours)

Saturday courses over 2 weeks (16 hours)

One-day courses (8 hours)

Participants will combine core courses with the elective courses that suit their professional

development needs.

A course materials package will be included in the fee for the course.

Core Courses (64 hours)

The four core courses will provide a context for CED for practitioners in the field as well as for

less experienced participants.

Introduction to CED: Local Development and the Global Economy

The course provides an overview of CED. Topics include: history of CED internationally

and in Canada; strategies for community control and revenue generation within a context

of increasing economic globalization; CED models in communities of geographic and

other interest; roles of government, business and the non-profit sector in CED.

This course must be taken before the other core courses or electives.

Fundamental Skills for CED Practice

The course provides practitioners with a working knowledge of the skills required in

community capacity-building for CED. Topics include: mapping material, environmental

and human resources; establishing community participation processes; strategic

planning; establishing indicators for success; evaluation.

Best Practices in CED

This course presents a range of urban and rural CED models and the elements of their

success. Topics include: community development corporations; small business

10.

incubators; green business; non-profit enterprise; co-operatives; community forestry;

housing.

Social Entrepreneurship and Financing CED

This course examines the business development process of CED in the context of social

entrepreneurship. Topics include: management; markets; earnings; business plan

evaluation; the different methods of financing CED ventures, such as mainstream and

alternative sources of debt and equity.

Elective Courses

The elective courses allow participants to create a program that matches their professional

needs and interests. Additional electives will be developed based on demand in particular

areas and as the needs of the sector change.

Building Effective CED Partnerships

Duration: 8 hours

This course examines methods for establishing, maintaining and expanding effective

partnerships. Topics include: criteria for partnering; roles for partners; financial

relationships; decision-making; evaluating partnerships; revising agreements.

CED in Aboriginal Communities

This course presents a range of aboriginal CED case studies and examines the

elements of their success. Topics include: community development corporations; craft

co-operatives; credit unions; employment and training; self-government.

CED Models for Non-Profits

This course examines the practice of CED in non-profit organizations. Topics include:

setting objectives; building board capacity; business planning; legal considerations;

revenue-generation and fund-raising; staff training; monitoring; evaluation.

CED in Resource-Based Communities

This course presents a range of case studies and examines the elements of their

success. Topics include: community asset mapping; community-based resource

management (e.g., community forestry, fisheries co-management); agriculture

marketing; tourism; role of labour.

Current Issues in CED

Duration: 8 hours

This course will explore a topical issue each year such as: communications, technology

and CED; social auditing; housing and community sustainability; international CED.

I'.

Environmental Sustainability and CED

provides an overview of environmental sustainability and applications in

CED. Topics include: defining environmental sustainability; green business, industrial

ecology; rural and urban sustainable CED activity; community participation in

sustainable CED; socio-economic policies and programs that support environmental

sustainability.

Government Policy and CED

Duration: 8 hours

This course explores current federal, provincial, regional and municipal policies that are

relevant to CED. Topics include: Community Futures; economic development

commissions and agencies; labour adjustment programs; social welfare programs;

companies and co-operative acts and regulations; zoning.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS

Learning opportunities will combine face-to-face instruction, small group discussions, field visits

and workshops. Students will be encouraged to integrate their workplace experience with their

learning through assignments and presentations.

A public lecture component of the program (associated with the current issues elective course)

will provide a forum for exploration of current CED issues as well as an opportunity for potential

students to experience the program.

DELIVERY MODE ?

The Professional Program in CED will be delivered initially at the Harbour Centre Campus of

Simon Fraser University. Following the first year of operation, the core courses and electives

will also be adapted for delivery through Distance Education.

In the future, students may be able to access courses off-campus at the University of Victoria

through its non-credit Certificate in Co-operatives program (pending) and through community

colleges throughout the province.

Also in the future, cohort model programs may be designed for specific organizations and

offered on- or off-campus depending on the needs of the participating organization.

EVALUATION

Student Assessment

A number of assessment methods will be used to measure the extent to which participants have

mastered the objectives of the program including: essays, case studies, individual and group

projects. Assessment methods will take into account cultural considerations and participant

learning objectives. Assignments and other materials produced for evaluation purposes will be

linked to participants' professional responsibilities.

I)..

A pass/fail system will be used for grading assignments.

Program Assessment

The program will be evaluated after each offering by students. At the end of the first full offering

a comprehensive evaluation will be conducted with sponsoring institutions to assess the extent

to which the program has met individual and sector needs. With the assistance of the Advisory

Committee and the Centre's extensive network of practitioners, CED organizations and

professional associations, we will evaluate the Professional Program on a continuing basis.

CREDENTIAL GRANTED

Successful completion of the program leads to a Certificate in Community Economic

Development granted by Simon Fraser University.

ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM

Admission to the program is determined by an assessment of the candidate's academic

qualifications, work experience and interest in the CED field. Participants who wish to take

individual courses will be admitted on a space-available basis.

General entry requirements

The Professional Program in CED is open to individuals with an undergraduate degree or the

equivalent in any subject from a recognized university and to those with professional or

volunteer experience in a CED setting.

Candidates who can demonstrate substantial practical experience and who do not have degree

level qualifications may be considered for admission.

Candidates with degree level qualifications who lack practical experience but are interested in

working in the field of CED will also be considered for admission.

TUITION

The program will operate on a cost recovery basis and will not draw on university resources.

Sponsorships for a bursary fund will be sought to ensure accessibility for participants with

limited resources.

LOCATION

IN THE UNIVERSITY

The proposed program will be located in the CED Centre. Continuing Studies will assume

responsibility for its administration. Working in partnership with Continuing Studies, faculty from

the CED Centre will oversee the development of the proposed program through representation

on the Advisory Committee.

'3.

ADVISORY

COMMITTEE

The Advisory Committee will:

• oversee the 'development of the Professional Program in CED;

• ensure that it continues to meet the needs of the field; and

• assist in marketing the program to potential participants.

Simon Fraser University CEO Centre

Dr. Stephen Ameyaw, Associate

Melanie Conn, MSW, Associate

Dr. Steve Duguid, Associate Director

Dr. Mark Roseland, Director

Continuing Studies at Simon Fraser University

Nancy Petersen

Director, Professional Programs

CEO

Representatives

Sector

of a range of CED sector organizations will participate in the Committee, such

as:

Richard de Beck

Human Resources and Development Canada

Pieter van Gus

VanCity Capital Corporation

John McBride

Institute for Indigenous Government

John Restakis

Canadian Co-operative Association of BC

Ron Trepanier

Community Futures Association of BC

Judy Perkins

Economic Development Association of BC

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Mark Roseland, Ph.D., Director

Community Economic Development Centre