The Community Leaders Network (CLN), a group of stakeholders interested and experienced in technology development issues, held its third workshop March 8-10, 1994 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The group participates in workshops focusing on public involvement issues related to technology development, and in particular, Integrated Demonstrations and Integrated Programs for DOE's Environmental Management program. The March workshop was held in conjunction with the Office of Technology Development's (OTD) mid-year review for their Offices of Research, Development, Demonstration, Testing, and Evaluation. The concurrent meetings marked the first significant participation of stakeholders in the internal review process.
CLN participants talked with OTD Deputy Assistant Secretary, Clyde Frank during a reception for the group. Frank also spoke to the group Thursday during their workshop and shared his views on the role of the network. He asked members to help OTD build an awareness with the program managers that technology development is now a holistic issue. He told participants that stakeholders are vital in the OTD organization because they represent a group which holds answers on how to get the job done.
During the workshop, the members received an update on OTD's new management approach from Acting Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary, Gerald Boyd and the status of the site specific advisory boards (SSABs) from Don Beck, program manager, office of technology integration and environmental education and development. They discussed the role the group could play in OTD's management approach and the structure of the network. During the next six months, they agreed to work on creating a communication strategy for interacting with other groups such as the SSABs and drafting guiding principles that include cultural, ethical, and social components for consideration by OTD in evaluating technology. The fourth workshop is tentatively planned for late June in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
