Jeanne Harper Resigns from ED of CEDAPP in Pollock Pines after 5 Years

Paraphrasing Andrew Headdon, pastor of Federated Methodist Church, the community is the crucible of wisdom. Looking up all of the meanings of the word “crucible,” one stands out as relevant to the executive director of an economic development organization such as CEDAPP.

According to the Encarta Dictionary, a crucible is a place or set of circumstances where people or things are subjected to forces that test them and often make them change. If you buy into the concept that a community is comprised of the dynamic status of ever-changing circumstances and that out of those changes, wisdom begins to percolate (as opposed to death by failure to respond to change), every community should become healthy, on many different levels.

For the past five years, it has been my endeavor, through CEDAPP, to create programs and systems of communication in and around Pollock Pines that are designed to maximize the potential of every resident, business, and organization towards the goal of a healthy community.

Started five years ago in the living room of one of our most respected community leaders, Cindy Stetler, then a school board member of significant years, seven local, concerned individuals representing business, schools, and residents, met to begin an organization whose sole desire it was to support and promote Pollock Pines. The idea was to increase spending in our community in order to help give back to our businesses without taking from the businesses.

Part of that goal was to help increase our declining school population, as well. Having just retired from my position as the principal at Sierra Ridge Middle School, it was not my intention to become involved in a leadership role, much less take on anymore responsibility. It quickly became clear that my desire for anonymity and a relaxing retirement was going to the back burner for awhile.

Five years later, the crucible of CEDAPP has grown to 14 focus areas, between 14-20 events a year, an ever-expanding membership all committed to promoting our businesses, schools, and community integrity, as has our reputation as a clean, upstanding 501 (c) 3 charitable organization.

Many CEDAPP leaders have joined other community and county organizations to keep the “direct connect” and still yet others work year-round to ensure that the community of Pollock Pines is kept abreast of events within Pollock Pines and events or situations that can affect Pollock Pines.

At the end of this fifth year, I can say that I have met the “wisdom” of our community in many ways and have come to appreciate the integration of influences within our pristine Nature’s Wonderland.

I am beyond proud when I review the successes of CEDAPP and pleased to have been a small part of a large commitment by so many. However, the winds of change are ever-blowing, thus the importance of the crucible of wisdom theory. Change is the inevitable passage of time, events, and persons, in this case, my own.

I have submitted my letter of resignation to the CEDAPP Board and it has been accepted, effective Jan. 1, 2013. In a closed session, the Board also drafted a list of potential successors, all of whom will be contacted personally in the next several weeks.

The current Board, with the assistance of the advisory board and all of the “staff” of CEDAPP will be rolling out new programs in the coming year, as well as ensuring that many of the popular and now expected events continue. Members of the community drive the organization’s activities and therefore, the more, the merrier.

For more information about CEDAPP, please go to cedapp.biz, or email me at jmharper2@comcast.biz, or come to an open board meeting, the first Monday of most months (holidays excepted) at Ship Shape USA on Pony Express Trail.

JEANNE HARPER

Pollock Pines