Viewpoint

Aliceann Wolhbruck, Executive Director, NADO Research Foundation

"Americans of all ages, all conditions and all dispositions, constantly form associations."
- Alexis de Tocqueville

Since de Tocqueville made this observation in 1831 Americans have continued to form, support and participate in associations. Today there are more than 147,000 associations in the US and nine out of 10 adult Americans belong to one association.

There is one type of association -- those that represent public officials -- that pursues both the interests of their members and the public interest. NADO is one of those associations traditionally referred to as Public Interest Groups or PIGS.

“Public official associations are all those organizations whose primary membership consists of practicing public officials, elected or careerist, and whose purpose is the advancement of the professional interest of the membership and the general public interest. Why are public official associations important? The answer is simple; they play a role no one else plays in the operation of the American political system. Without them, there would be a serious gap. A necessary set of linkages -- political with administrative officials, subnational with national elected officials, professionals and their peers in other jurisdictions -- would be missing.”
- David S. Arnold and Jeremy F. Plant, Public Official Associations and State and Local Government

NADO members are public regional development organizations known as Economic Development Districts, Local Development Districts, Councils of Government, Planning and Development Districts, Areas Development Districts and dozens of other names. The elected officials who serve on the boards and professional staff of these organizations are the individuals who participate in NADO. Since the founding of NADO in 1967 by executive directors of Economic Development Districts our members and staff have worked to strengthen the linkages among our members and with state and federal officials.

Until 1978 NADO was staffed by volunteers and consultants. When I was hired as the first executive director in 1979 the members decided to expand the focus of the association beyond the Economic Development Administration (EDA). The NADO Research Foundation was created in 1988 to provide research and training capacity. Today, NADO and the NADO Research Foundation provide information, training and representation on a multitude of issues including transportation, the environment, development finance, rural development, federal-state regional commissions, telecommunications and homeland security.

The 2003 annual training conference September 13-16 in Minneapolis will mark another milestone for NADO. I will retire on September 30 and Deputy Executive Director Matt Chase will become executive director on October 1 providing new leadership for the association. I have had an exciting and rewarding 24 years with NADO. By working together NADO members and staff have made many significant accomplishments that are helping create jobs and build communities in small metropolitan America. Thanks to each of you who has contributed to NADO’s success.

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