TEN COMMANDMENTS A GUIDE TO EFFECTIVE DEVELOPMENT

Here are my Ten Commandments for an Effective RDA.

Maybe if each of you write or contact your representative and ask them to help us either re-shape SWSDA to conform to these Commandments or create our own RDA with these attributes we can start controlling and directing more effective and efficient development efforts in our communities.

1. Thou shalt not lie to taxpayers.

2. Thou shalt not make decisions in secret.

3. Thou shalt provide every one of your citizens, young and old, with an opportunity to contribute to the identification of the priorities of development in the community.

4. Thou shalt create accountability systems to measure, monitor and report on the activities of the RDA in a timely manner.

5. Thou shalt seek to build consensus and be inclusive in implementing development strategies.

6. Plan for the future and adjust those plans as time progresses in a regular and timely fashion based on evaluations that include qualitative and quantitative measurement of performance and progress.

7. Thou shalt encourage innovation, optimum use of local resources and entrepreneurship.

8. Thou shalt seek constructive and creative leadership that empowers citizens.

9. Seek to optimize effectiveness, efficiency and economy in all your activities.

10. Thou shalt hold staff and elected officials accountable and devise systems that ensure the ethical operation of your development organization.