Whereas, since the earliest discussions about addressing the broad needs of rural Virginians it has been understood that both education and advocacy work should be done hand-in-hand; and
Whereas, in a Commonwealth undergoing rapid demographic change, the accelerated pace of issues along the rural/urban interface often draws our collective attention away from the fundamental problems deep within our struggling rural communities; and
Whereas, operating as two separate entities, each representing itself as the voice of rural Virginia, does not accomplish a consensus driven, fully supported, concise and clear message may diminish this goal; and
Whereas, the two separate entities are supported through two separate funding streams, derived from different public funding sources where each seek corporate support to do something for rural Virginia, and
Whereas, a collaboration between the limited pool of motivated advocates will more effectively accomplish this goal; and
Whereas, moving forward along separate, but parallel paths may diminish the efforts of both entities,
Therefore, the Center for Rural Virginia, hereafter called the “Center” and the Council for Rural Virginia, hereafter called the “Council” shall form a partnership that will merge their separate efforts where appropriate, which will allow both entities to successfully accomplish their common goal of improving the quality of life in the Commonwealth’s rural areas and ensure that the citizens of Virginia will be better served.
In consideration of their common goal, the Center and the Council hereby covenant to work in a collaborative fashion.
1. Where appropriate the Center and the Council shall develop initiatives that support common and specific goals.
2. The Council shall continue to function and exist as an autonomous entity and shall serve as an advisory board to the Center.
3. The Council and the Center shall consider a contract between the Center and Council for staffing and support operations.
This Joint Resolution has been approved by both the Center for Rural Virginia Board
of Trustees (June 10, 2005) and the Council for Rural Virginia Board of Directors
(June 16, 2005).
Signed July 30, 2005 by Rebecca Davis, Chair, Council for Rural Virginia Board of Directors and Frank Ruff, Chair, Center for Rural Virginia Board of Trustees.
