1. Welcome New Members Thank you for the investment in your professional development. We are pleased that you’ve made application for membership in the National Rural Economic Developers Association (NREDA). We want to personally welcome you to the Association.

2. What is NREDA? Mission: The National Rural Economic Developers Association is a member organization dedicated to the advancement of rural economic development through providing education and networking opportunities. Purpose: * To promote the exchange of ideas and information between association members. * To provide members educational opportunities to encourage professional advancement. * To further the movement of growing and revitalizing rural America through economic enhancement Vision: NREDA is the leading professional development resource for rural America.

3. NREDA Membership

4. National Rural Economic Developer Association History The National Rural Economic Developer Association was formed to promote rural development opportunities through electric and telephone cooperatives. Members, at the time of the Rural Electrification Administration (REA), cooperatives had been a long time advocate of marketing rural locations as a competitive and low cost alternative for business investment. The creation of a national organization, structured to coordinate recruitment resources would provide all members a greater presence to corporate America. During 1988 a handful of cooperative members responsible for economic development met in Platt City, MO to evaluate this idea and its many benefits. In the spring of 1989 NREDA was formally organized, and later that year held the first member meeting in Washington, DC. The next year, Nashville, TN served as the conference city for the first annual meeting, attracting over 300 attendees. From that small beginning NREDA had matured into a professional organization providing members valuable assistance with their economic development, key account management, community development, infrastructure development, or other rural development programs. Submitted 2/6/02 Mark Woodson, CED,CKAE Associated Electric Co-op, Inc.

5. NREDA Services and Benefits Rural Focus – No other organization matches NREDA’s focus on rural economic development, needs examination, resources identification, and communication of what works. Membership Mentoring – NREDA has a program to match members with seasoned professionals in specific areas of expertise – ED411 Membership Directory – Members utilize the online directory with listings of NREDA member contact information, cross-referenced by state, organization, and areas of expertise. Personal and Professional Development – Leadership, participation, and recognition opportunities on committees, at the Annual Meeting, and on the Board of Directors. NREDA Educational Seminars – Participate in the Annual Conference, monthly webinars and other educational seminars providing you emerging and thought provoking ideas on rural economic development. (NREDA Annual Conference offers CEcD and CKAE approved credits.) NREDANews – Members receive a bi-monthly electronic newsletter that brings a wealth of information about issues, events, and resources to help them do their jobs. Website – Secure “Members Only” section with search feature by members/state/ expertise, current issues and events, links to industry-related web sites, job postings, and archived copies of the NREDANews. Inexpensive Dues – First time members can join for $200 or there is a regional membership for $500 or $1,000. Select the Individual Membership for only $350, or the “Quantity” Membership for two or more individuals from the same organization for $275/person. Ask a colleague to join with you!

6. NREDA Publications The NREDA News Brief – Published twice monthly as an electronic publication – Editor ‐ Shawnna Silvius, eVentures Marketing – shawnna@eventuresmarketing.com or (402) 209-0559.shawnna@eventuresmarketing.com Website: www.nreda.org Login/Passwords: Members set their own; go to Members Only page. 1. Go to Find Me first (will ask four questions) and if they are a member, their record will appear. 2. Create Account is for member who are logging in for the first time or NON ‐ members who want to register for an event. 3. If they have forgotten their password, direct them to Reset Password. Staff can go into 4. Website tied to database – staff can also re-set login/password.

7. How can you get involved? –NREDA COMMITTEES –Annual Conference Awards Development & Sponsorship –Bylaws & Parliamentarian –Professional Development –Finance & Audit –Grassroots Advocacy –Membership –Nominations –Publications/Website/Communications –Strategic Alliances http://www.nreda.org/web/2008/02/committees.aspx

8. Calendar of Events July 15-17, 2015 NREDA 2015 Annual Conference The Warwick Hotel, Denver, CO November 2-4, 2016 2016 NREDA Conference Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina Mount Pleasant, SC www.charlestonharborresort.com

9. NREDA Contact Information National Rural Economic Developers Association 1255 SW Prairie Trail Parkway Ankeny, Iowa 50023 (515) 284-1421 (office) (515) 334-1067 (direct) (515) 334-1167 (fax) Web Site: www.nreda.orgwww.nreda.org NREDA Staff: Lynn Harkin, CAE - Executive Director Email: director@nreda.orgdirector@nreda.org Denise Hoffman – Meeting Planner Email: meetings@nreda.orgmeetings@nreda.org Donna Donovan - CFO Email: ddonovan@accounting.aml.orgddonovan@accounting.aml.org Darcy Watson – IT Director Email: dwatson@aml.orgdwatson@aml.org Kelly Kipping – Administrative Director Email: kkipping@aml.orgkkipping@aml.org