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Welcome Directors!!!

Welcome Directors!!!. Spring 2004 Hull-York Lakeland RC&D Director Training. National RC&D Vision. People helping people help themselves to develop and enhance the quality of life in their communities Providing local benefits vital to the health and well-being of the community

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Welcome Directors!!!

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  1. Welcome Directors!!! Spring 2004 Hull-York Lakeland RC&D Director Training

  2. National RC&D Vision • People helping people help themselves to develop and enhance the quality of life in their communities • Providing local benefits vital to the health and well-being of the community • Develop productive working relationships to balance natural resource conservation and development • To share knowledge and experience with others in the same geographic area

  3. RC&D Federal Program Mission • To make available the total resources of USDA and other public and private partnerships to build relationships, create financial leverage, and increase the ability of communities to meet their regionally identified resource conservation and development needs

  4. The RC&D Council • Success of the RC&D program is directly related to the effectiveness and interest of the council directors • Responsible for all decisions and activities of the nonprofit organization • Responsible for financial and business management • Makes all financial decisions • As a USDA partner must comply with Civil Rights Requirements

  5. HYL Council Makeup Directors • 4 Representatives from each county • Nominated by SCD’s • Two-year appointments (eligible for reappointment) • Upon resignations or removal, new directors appointed by same process

  6. HYL Officers • Council is governed by a board of directors: • President • Vice-President • Secretary/Treasurer • Elected by directors • Serve two-year terms • Eligible for re-election • Referred to as “Executive Committee” • Full Council Meeting twice/year • Executive Committee Meets Quarterly or as needed

  7. USDA Partnersip • As a partner in the National RC&D mission, USDA, through NRCS provides: • A full-time Coordinator • A part-time, or full time Office Assistant • Office space, utilities, computer eqpt., vehicles • Level of support varies from one RC&D area to another

  8. Role of the Coordinator • Coordinator is a federal employee (USDA-NRCS) • Motivator – Encourage and Improve the capabilities of people in the RC&D Area to plan, develop, and carry out their program • Innovator – Developing feasible and practical ideas and methods to achieve Council goals and objectives • Facilitator – Helping the council organize and successfully implement RC&D projects by seeking assistance within USDA or other government and non-government sources

  9. Role of the Coordinator, cont. • Advisor – Assisting the council in carrying out its vision, mission, objectives and goals by providing guidance and advice to the council • Capacity Builder – Encouraging and helping Council members to improve their knowledge and skills and in developing local leadership so they can carry out the RC&D program

  10. Role of the Office Asst. (OA) • OA is a Federal Employee (USDA-NRCS) • Provides clerical and administrative support for the RC&D office • Assists the Council and Coordinator in carrying out the vision, mission, objectives and goals of the Area Plan • Assists the Coordinator, Council and committees with project tasks

  11. Federal Employees May NOT: • Directly manage human and financial resources of an RC&D Council • Lobby any form of govt. on behalf of the Council • Commit the Council to any action or agreement regardless of the intent of the Council • Engage in fundraising on behalf of the Council • Be the primary manager for financial records • Speak for, or represent the Council

  12. HYL MissionStatement • To protect, develop and manage the area’s natural resources, improve educational and community programs and facilities, expand job opportunities and promote human welfare.

  13. HYL By Laws • The executive committee shall be the governing body of the RC&D association • Any officer or director that fails to serve in the best interest of the Association, or be inactive for a one-year period shall be removed from membership by the executive committee • The Association shall hold two meetings per year • Executive Committee shall meet quarterly, or as needed

  14. HYL By Laws (continued) • The Association shall utilize standing or special committees as needed • No committee or group shall take action under the name of Hull-York Lakeland RC&D that is not in accord with the Area Plan or Plan of Work • An Association budget shall be prepared annually and approved at the first meeting of the Executive Committee each year • By Laws may be amended by two-thirds vote of the entire membership

  15. Food for Thought • Do you feel motivated and energized about our organization and program such that you would consider making a personal contribution to Hull-York Lakeland RC&D? • If not, why not? If our own directors do not have the confidence in our organization and program to be willing to make a contribution, how can we expect any funders to contribute to our organization?

  16. This question was not intended to solicit contributions • Please take a minute and think, or discuss what kind of organization we would need to be in order for you to WANT to contribute. Or to incite others to contribute. What kind of organization should we be so that funders will want to partner with us on projects, or even be motivated to compete with other funders to partner with us?

  17. 2nd Question: • Is our organization meeting the needs of your communities and making a real contribution to improving the quality of life for the residents of your community? • Yes? – Great! No? Why not, and where do we need to go so the answer will be a yes?

  18. The Blueprint for Our Activities Looks Like This: Area Plan – Identifies: • Mission and Vision • Needs and Opportunities • Goals and Objectives • Strategies for addressing needs • Time frame to accomplish the above • Should NOT be a projection of current operations

  19. Annual Plan of Work • Is the operational and management tool for implementing the Area Plan • An annual schedule of work toward projects that address objectives outlined in the area plan • New projects may emerge that require reconsideration of the objectives in the Annual Plan of Work • Should be both Aggressive and Realistic • Can be a three-year plan, but should be reviewed and revised, if necessary, annually

  20. Area Plan Annual Plan of Work Projects

  21. Area Plans Must Include One or More of the Following: • Land Conservation Element with the purpose of controlling erosion and sedimentation • Water Management that includes improvement of water quality or conservation and use • Community Development • Land Management that addresses energy conservation, ag land protection, farmland protection, and/or protection of fish and wildlife habitats

  22. Minimum Plan Requirements • Mission and Vision • Needs and Opportunities • Goals and Ojectives • Strategies for addressing needs, including partnerships with USDA and others • Time frame to accomplish the above

  23. Area Plan Objectives Should Be SMART • S=Specific • M=Measureable • A=Attainable • R=Results Oriented • T=Timely

  24. Area Plan • With this in mind let’s review our area plan and determine if this plan adequately addresses our communities’ needs. Here are some considerations: • The area plan is our blueprint for developing our annual plan of work • If it’s not in the area plan, we should not be doing it • If we should be doing it, it needs to be in the area plan • Does our plan need to be revised? • How do we revise our area plan?

  25. With Public Involvement • From Community Leaders • Various local, state and federal agencies • Residents of represented communities through public meetings, questionnaires • Other regional planning organizations such as the Upper Cumberland Development District

  26. We currently have two methods for public input: • Questionnaire on Web Site • Hard Copy Questionnaire

  27. Annual Plan of Work • Now let’s review our annual plan of work • Does it lead toward projects that address the objectives outlined in the Area Plan? • Is it aggressive and realistic? • New projects can emerge that require reconsideration of the objectives of the Annual Plan of Work • Time frame for projects can be 1-3 years

  28. Area Plan Annual Plan of Work Projects

  29. Project Process Director identifies a local need that meets the objective of the area plan Director meets with potential partners Project request form is completed and submitted at directors meeting, or to office staff for the next Executive Committee meeting Project is discussed and approved or rejected If approved, office staff begins working with project partners

  30. Director Project Involvement • A director should be involved in every project adopted by the council • A project proposal should be presented to the executive council by a director • Play a key role in linking with key groups needed to carry out projects • Directors must be willing to accept responsibility and function as a team member • Be willing to serve on committees as needed • Most importantly, directors need to be passionate about the vision and mission of the council and committed to work toward the goals and objectives

  31. Past and Present Project Problems • Getting Council involved late in the planning process • Not utilizing a systematic planning process • Using the council to “get money” • Not providing specific information, such as accurate project costs • The grant process takes months, and sometimes as long as a year, some projects are proposed to the council when they are ready to begin construction

  32. Recent HYL Area-wide Projects • Tree Planter – Goal is watershed restoration through re-establishment of riparian forest buffers, although it can be rented for any tree planting purpose

  33. Three point hitch • Minimum 16hp tractor • Can plant in sod or cultivated soil • Adjustable furrow width and depth to accommodate planting up to a three foot tree • Five-foot and eight-foot spacers available for tree or shrub spacings of 5, 8 or 10 feet • Easily towed with 4’X8’ utility trailer which is included

  34. Project Highlights • Covers entire Hull-York Lakeland Area • Addresses water quality regionally • Potential impact for all residents of HYL Counties

  35. Master Fire Plan Project • Pilot Project • Three Counties Involved – DeKalb, Fentress and Overton • Primary Purpose is to reduce ISO Ratings from 9/10 to 5/6 • Will remove economic barrier to development by reducing residential and commercial/industrial insurance rates • Comprehensive Assessment of All Volunteer Fire Departments in the County • Plan alone will result in increased potential for fire grants through Homeland Security • Affects ALL county residents and businesses • Regional Impact

  36. Project Considerations • HYL is largest RC&D area in the state • Staff is limited in its abilities to cover such a large area • Should HYL focus be on fewer projects with regional impacts, or localized projects which may affect only one, or a few communities?

  37. Next Steps • Are you motivated to serve in your current position in order to make a difference in your community and the HYL area? • After today’s discussion, should the HYL Area Plan be revised? • Are you willing to serve on a committee to review/revise the Area Plan?

  38. Thank You for Coming!!! • Please continue to review what we have discussed today, and send any comments or suggestions you might have to your officers, Dimple Geesling, or Jeff Sanders • dimple.geesling@tn.usda.gov • jeff.sanders@tn.usda.gov • 931-528-6472 extension 4 • www.hylrcd.org

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