If you registered for the OFN Conference, you are one of over 1,400 attendees reviewing the 60 high-impact sessions available to choose from. I am looking at the options for Monday afternoon, and already I am overwhelmed. How can I choose between any of the dozen or so options offered, not to mention the tours, when I want to experience all of them? Do I focus on cross sector coalitions or Civil Rights history? Organizational health or Equitable Food Oriented Development? Rural drug addiction or succession planning? 

As I read these descriptions, I am struck by the breadth and depth of the work we do as an industry. We truly do embody the theme “Lending Where It Counts.” A group of people driven to find under-served communities that can prove their potential if given the chance. Our work spans different areas – urban, suburban, rural – and offers solutions to a wide variety of needs including affordable housing, economic development, education, health, food and agriculture, and environmental issues.  

Looking at this agenda reminds me of the passion and dedication I saw at last year’s conference. In my entire career I have never encountered a group that is more active and involved than the professionals in the CDFI industry. Having been to two OFN conferences more than a decade apart, I am stunned by the significant growth in participants and session topics. This year there were roughly 150 session proposals submitted, which is over 2.5 times the capacity of the conference. It shows that if we could spare the time, we could spend over a week sharing our stories and experiences, all with the aim to further develop our communities. 

So as you decide which sessions to attend at the 2019 conference, enjoy the variety of options that are available and see it for what it is – a sign that the CDFI industry is strong, healthy, and continually finding ways to achieve its mission. See you all at the conference!

 

Craftsman Technology Group is an OFN Ally. We support OFN’s mission to lead CDFIs and their partners to ensure that low-income, low-wealth, and other underserved people and communities have access to affordable, responsible financial products and services. Find out more about OFN’s efforts at: https://ofn.org.