CBODN: About - History

CBODN History

The Chesapeake Bay OD Network grew out of a 1984 National Organational Development Network conference held in Washington DC. Galvanized by creating the conference, the founders committed to building a network that spans all the communities around the Chesapeake Bay-- including Baltimore, the District of Columbia, and Northern Virginia. The goals of the founding leaders were to provide OD professionals with a place to connect with each other, and help this new field grow in viability and visibility. These goals are embedded in our current mission.

The Network grew quickly, into an association of more than 300 members. It was an exciting, memorable time! ODers created an association culture that centers on inclusion and the use of diversity to share, network, and learn about what is “cutting edge” organizational development practices. As a special resource, the Network draws from more than a dozen higher education graduate study programs, each contributing special expertise and theoretical knowledge of the field. Today, CBODN is one of the largest and most dynamic of the regional OD networks.