NEDA - About NEDA

Introduction
The Nebraska Industrial Developers Association (NIDA) was officially formed in January, 1973. The members of the association changed the name of the association to the Nebraska Economic Developers Association (NEDA) in 1992. Today, NEDA has over 200 members representing a wide variety of organizations. Members from government, chambers of commerce, railroads, financial institutions, construction, advertising, and utilities bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the organization.

The majority of the membership is professionally employed in economic development as was required in the original by-laws. Amendments, however, have provided for "Associate Members" who are interested in economic development of Nebraska but are not professionally employed in this activity. These "Associates" are entitled to all the rights and privileges of the association except the right to vote and hold office.

The purposes of NEDA as set forth in our constitution are fourfold:

To foster economic development in Nebraska.
To encourage the advancement of the expertise of its members.
To foster cooperation among economic development professionals in Nebraska.
To afford professional economic developers a vehicle for assembly and collective expression.

During the formative years of NEDA, major activities centered around the two conferences held annually which were primarily concerned with continuing education. In recent years, however, the programs and activities of NEDA have been broadened to include projects such as a program of legislative review to inform members of proposed legislation affecting economic development, the establishment of a scholarship for advanced study in the economic development field, sponsorship of economic development workshops for local community leaders, the co-sponsorship of an annual team prospecting trip, and a Governor's luncheon in a major city.

The Nebraska Economic Development Association has made much progress since its inception in 1973, and the future of the organization looks bright. The members of NEDA are dedicated to promoting the steady and balanced growth of Nebraska's economy. They are ready and able to assist anyone who would like to know more about the economic potential of Nebraska.

Certified Economic Developers (CEcD)
The designation, Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) is a registered name of the International Economic Development Council. The designation is awarded to those who have the successfully passed an examination that combines:

Experience as a practitioner
Professional development at practitioner based training events
Recognition of other distinctions/certifications that can be related to the competencies of economic development.

Core competencies for a Certified Economic Developer include such areas as:

Business Retention and Expansion
Strategic Planning
Marketing/Attraction
Real Estate Development and Reuse
Economic Development Finance
Workforce Development
Community Development
Management

For further information about the CEcD process please vist the International Economic Development Council Web site.

Nebraska is very fortunate to have many people who have achieved the CEcD designation. This is an indication of the high level of professionalism among the Nebraska Economic developers. Please feel free to contact any of the following individuals for further information.

Richard Baier	Dr. Donis Petersan
RJ Baker	Dr. Phil Phillips
Cheryl Brandenburgh	Roberta Pinkerton
Roger Christianson	Mary Plettner
Jason Esser	Mary Simmons
Dennis Hall	Robert Shively
Devin Meisinger	Jason Smith
Rick Nelsen	Kevin Wilkins
John O'Connor	Duane Vicary

Constitution and By-Laws of
Nebraska Economic Developers Association

ARTICLE I - NAME
Section 1.	The name of this organization shall be Nebraska Economic Developers Association (NEDA) and shall be used on all official stationery.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSES
Section 1.	NEDA is a voluntary group of professional economic development personnel affiliated for the purposes of: Fostering economic development in the state of Nebraska; Encouraging the advancement of the expertise of its members; Fostering cooperation among economic development professionals in the state of Nebraska; and Affording professional economic developers a vehicle for assembly and collective expression.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.	Classification of Members. There shall be four classes of membership, which shall be as follows: Those individuals professionally employed in economic development whose activities, totally or in part, are in the State of Nebraska shall be termed "Active Members". They shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of the association including, but not limited to, the right to hold office. "Professionally employed" economic developers shall be those individuals who are responsible for conducting or supervising an economic development program at the community, area-wide or statewide level; or who are employed full-time as an economic developer. Certified Economic Developers with current certification shall be termed "Active Members" even though not currently employed in economic development. Those individuals who are interested in the economic development of the state of Nebraska, but who are not professionally employed in economic activity in the state of Nebraska shall be termed an "Associate Member" and shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges of the association except the right to vote and to hold office. Those individuals not directly engaged in economic development, but who espouse the overall cause of economic development and have made an outstanding contribution to Nebraska's economic growth may be designated "Honorary Member". Any NEDA member or associate member in good standing may nominate an individual for honorary membership by submitting a letter of nomination to the board of directors outlining the reasons for the nomination. The board of directors will determine the merit of the nomination and, if approved, will direct the president to present the award at the next annual meeting. The recipient will not pay dues or be eligible to vote or hold office. The designation of "Honorary Member" is the highest recognition the organization can make to a nonprofessional developer and should not be lightly bestowed. Those individuals who are "Active Members" as defined in section (a) at the time of retirement shall be granted a "Lifetime Membership". They will pay no dues and may not hold office. A "Lifetime Member" may serve as a NEDA committee chairman or representative, at the discretion of the President.
Section 2.	Membership Applications. The application for membership (Active Member or Associate Member) shall be made on the standard form provided by the association and together with the required dues, fees, and/or assessments shall be sent directly to the Secretary or Membership Services Chairman. The application must carry the signature of at least one "Active Member" in good standing with the Association as a sponsor. All applications for membership are to be approved by majority vote of the board of directors. The board of directors shall be the final judge of a person's eligibility for membership and shall determine member classification. Immediately following the Board of Director's decision, the Secretary or Membership Services Chairman will notify the applicant of their acceptance as a member and classification or denial of membership by the Board of Directors.
Section 3.	Dues, Fees, and/or Assessments. A requirement for membership in the association shall be the payment of dues, fees, and/or assessments as required by the board of directors. The amount, frequency, and calendar dates of payment of such dues, fees, and/or assessments shall be determined by resolution of the board of directors. Membership dues shall be determined annually by the board of directors at its first meeting of the year.
Section 4.	Resignation of Members. Members may resign by giving notice to that effect to the Secretary or Membership Services Chairman.
Section 5.	Voting Privileges. All "Active Members" in good standing shall be entitled to one vote on every matter submitted to a vote of the membership.
Section 6.	Transfer of Membership. A membership may not be transferred.
Section 7.	Removal from Membership. Membership may be terminated by the board of directors for non-payment of dues, fees, and/or assessments after (90) days from the date of billing. (Second sentence needs to be omitted on web site) Removal from membership for any cause other than non-payment of dues, fees, and/or assessments must be made by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the membership.
ARTICLE IV - GOVERNMENT
Section 1.	The affairs of the association shall be managed by a nine (9) member board of directors who in that capacity shall have one (1) vote each. The directors shall be elected by and from the membership at the annual meeting as follows: The members shall elect the directors and from among themselves they shall elect a president, a vice president, a secretary, and a treasurer. Terms of eight (8) elected directors shall be for two (2) years. Directors are to be elected for staggered terms so that four (4) are elected each year. No director shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms. Members are eligible for reelection to the board after one (1) year of absence from the board. The immediate past president shall be a voting ex-officio member of the board of directors. The director of the Business Recruitment Division or the employee most responsible for overseeing the business recruitment or development activities of the State of Nebraska Department of Economic Development shall be a non-voting ex-officio member of the board of directors unless elected for a specific office by due election process. No action of the board of directors shall be considered valid unless approved by a majority of the quorum present at the Board of Directors' Meeting where the item was discussed.
Section 2.	The selection of a member to fill any vacancy created on the board of directors during the year shall be made by a majority of the remaining board members.
Section 3.	The President shall appoint a nominating committee not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the annual meeting. The nominating committee's slate shall be presented at the annual meeting, and its selections may be supplemented by nominations from the floor. Candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected to the board of directors.
ARTICLE V - MEETINGS
Section 1.	The annual General Membership meeting shall be held in September, October, or November with the time and place to be determined by the board of directors and announced by the President at least thirty (30) days in advance. Said announcement of the annual meeting shall be given to all members in written form including, e-mail, facsimile or mail. No action of the membership shall be considered valid unless approved by a majority of the "Active Members" present where the item was discussed.
Section 2.	Such other General Membership meetings shall be held, within thirty (30) days, upon the call of the President, two (2) officers, or any three (3) voting members in good standing. Notice of said meeting shall be given by the President to all members in written form including e-mail, facsimile or mail no less than ten (10) working days prior to the meeting. No action of the membership shall be considered valid unless approved by a majority of the "Active Members" present where the item was discussed.
Section 3.	Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held within thirty (30) days, upon the call of the President or two (2) officers, or any three (3) voting members in good standing. Notice of said meeting shall be given by the President of the Board of Directors in written form including e-mail, facsimile or mail no less than ten (10) working days prior to the meeting. The presence of a majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting business, this includes telephone conference call. In rare cases and from time to time it may be necessary for the Board of Directors to transact business via e-mail. Action taken by the Board of Directors via e-mail should be limited to no more than three (3) items and shall include a complete description of each item together with a ballot system for voting purposes.
ARTICLE VI - AMENDEMENTS
	These by-laws may be amended at any annual meeting (omit "or special meeting") of the membership of the association. These by-laws my also be amended at any special meeting of the membership of the association provided that said special meeting notice describes the nature of the amendment being considered.
ARTICLE VII - DISSOLUTION
	No dividend shall be paid and no part of the funds of the association shall be distributed to its members, directors, or officers except as provided by law. Upon dissolution of the association, the assets remaining after payment of all its obligations shall be distributed to a succeeding organization, an organization having similar objectives or to any worthy charity or charities.