Regional Futures Institute
The Regional Futures Institute (RFI) is a service directed by NARC and established with the support and oversight of its Board of Directors. RFI conducts and disseminates applied research that is focused on changes in federal and state policies, programs, laws and regulations intended to make regional councils and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) more effective.
RFI offers seminars and forums to regional councils and MPOs through plenary sessions at NARC conferences. Recent topics discussed at conferences include:
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The Urban/Rural Continuum;
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Regional Leadership in the 21st Century;
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Demographic Trends and Their Impact on Regions; and,
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Regional Strategies and Policies for Emergency Response.
RFI is staffed by Dr. David Soule, Ph.D., Associate Director, Center for Urban and Regional Policy, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts. Prior to joining the Center at Northeastern University, Dr. Soule was affiliated with several regional councils, most recently as the Director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council that serves the Boston metropolitan area.
The NARC Board of Directors has established a standing committee comprised of 20 representatives, five each from members of the NARC Board, the Executive Directors Committee, the former Institute for the Regional Community and organizations interested in regionalism that support regional councils and metropolitan planning organizations. The President of NARC or his/her designee from the Board of Directors serves as Chair of the RFI Steering Committee. Members of the steering committee include:
Judy Mikels, former NARC Senior Vice President; Member of Southern California Association of Governments
James Townsend, Region VII Representative-NARC Board of Directors; Webster County Judge/Executive, Kentucky; Member of Green River Area Development District
Patrick Heath, At-Large Representative-NARC Board of Directors; Mayor, City of Boerne, Texas; Member of Alamo Area Council of Governments.
Richard L. (Ike) Stage, Region IX Representative-NARC Board of Directors; Chair, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, Ohio.
Ron Thomas, Region VI Representative-Executive Directors’ Committee; Executive Director of the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission
Al Notzon, Region X Representative-Executive Directors’ Committee; Executive Director of Alamo Area Council of Governments, Texas.
Sandeep Dey, Region IX Representative-Executive Directors’ Committee; Executive Director of West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission.
Charles (Chick) Krautler, Alternate At-Large Representative-Executive Directors’ Committee; Executive Director of the Atlanta Regional Commission, Georgia
Ken Sweet, Past Chair of the Executive Directors’ Committee; Executive Director of Northern Arizona Council of Governments
Tim Brennan, Region I Representative-Executive Directors’ Committee; Executive Director of Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Massachusetts
Lyle Wray, At-Large Representative-Executive Directors’ Committee; Executive Director of Capitol Region Council of Governments, Connecticut.
Walter Diggles, Executive Director of Deep East Texas Council of Governments.
John Parr, Executive Director of the Alliance for Regional Stewardship.