Organization for Development; The MIDNY Experience: 1966-68.

A new planning and development approach is emerging in the five county Central New York region, an area having a highly complex, fluid, and ill-coordinated decision making structure. Three regional agencies are active here: the Metropolital Development Association of Syracuse and Onondaga County; the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board; and the experimental MIDNY (Mid-New York) Project. MIDNY, which stresses educational aspects of community development, was founded to explore ways in which Cooperative Extension could be more effective in urbanizing areas. MIDNY has a flexible, pragmatic "unwritten philosophy" expressed in continuously evolving procedures. Its techniques are dissemination of information, concepts, ideas, and timely news by memos to professionals; outreach to the general public through radio and telvision; regional meetings and conferences; program planning in conjunction with county extension offices; and work with other organizations and agencies. Needs in such areas as local program planning, liaison of individuals and organizations, involvement of more diverse groups, community development training for extension agents, "do it yourself" information for new planning boards, and consultative aid to the regional planning board, were noted during the initial period (1966-68). (LY)