SRDI says goodbye after 16 years

[Calvin]

February 10, 2009
Dear Friend:

It is with deep sadness that we are writing to let you to know that the Southern Rural Development Initiative (SRDI) will be shutting its doors on February 20, 2009.

Though prompted by the current economic crisis and the uncertain funding climate, we know that this is the time to end our formal work as an organization.

For the past fifteen years, we have stood fast with rural leaders advocating for racial and economic justice. We have supported their cause, strived to increase resources for their work, provided vital information and research, and learned with them about creating positive change in our region.

Our partnerships have produced much over the years, and we are proud to have contributed in some way to building:

a powerful sense of the possibility of a prosperous and racially just rural South;
more equal partnerships between philanthropy and federal funding with those local leaders building the new rural economy in the South;
a new definition and analysis of rural community philanthropy that is inclusive and leads toward fundamental social and economic change;
the power of grassroots organizations to effect social and economic change through expanded internal organizational capacity ;
an ongoing space where rural leaders can learn together as peers, making decisions that transcend their community borders; and,
a national voice injecting rural consciousness into mainstream discourse.

It is our greatest hope that you, our partners, and all allies to rural people continue these efforts and make deeper connections, stronger impact, and long-term change for the rural South.

We also thank the many people who helped us learn. Through courage, critique, and candor, so many people helped us rethink, grow, adapt, and re-organize our work to truly live up to our values. Achievement requires authentic relationship, and we appreciate those who thought enough of our mission, our organization, and our people to make our work better.

In the same spirit of our founders, the current staff has carried the mission and challenges of SRDI into new practices that echo the original intent of our founders. We appreciate Alan, Calvin, Omisade, Jason, Jamilla, Tina, and Thomas’ tremendous skill, their integrity in the face of a difficult year, and their demonstrated commitment to the work of SRDI and its partners. Please keep them in mind as job or consulting opportunities arise to provide them a soft place to land on February 21st. This crew has brought tremendous skill to SRDI in facilitation, organizational development, training, organizing, entrepreneurship, financial management, and policy research.

Also, be sure to check out our list of partners and the other SRDI resources on our website www.srdi.org, and continue to interact with other rural leaders and allies through www.RuralInnovationNetwork.com.

Lastly, as this board of directors turns the page on this chapter of SRDI, we want to express what an honor it has been to be entrusted with this organization and to see our founders’ legacy blossom in local communities. This decision, though difficult, is tempered with the knowledge that our partners will continue to support rural leaders and communities to succeed, even through these difficult days.

In partnership,


The Board of the

Southern Rural Development Initiative

Roland Anglin
Joe Brooks
Paul Castelloe

Alvin Dollar
Andrew Foster
Tracey Greene-Dorsett
Savi Horne
Felecia Jones

John Littles

Tim Marema

Justin Maxson

Sandra Mikush

Ines Polonius

Karl Stauber

Ray Williams

[Kate Davy]

Sorry, I have been so busy lately I have not checked the site for some time. I am very sad to hear of the dissolution of SRDI. Possibly it is time to revamp and regroup for the larger economic needs battering the country?
Thank you all for the great contributions you gave to us, the training, conferences and organizing. You gave us the strength to go out on our own and for that we thank and bless you; Thomas, Calvin, Omisaade (please excuse the spelling mistake) and I am forgetting the name of the girl who took special interest in our African American Task Force Coalition of East TN. We have our 501c3 status and our one of the most powerful groups in the area. Thanks again and may you all be blessed in your pursuits.
Kate Davy