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News & Notes November 2003

Fall Meeting Wrap-up

The PACD fall meeting, held October 29-31 at the Nittany Lion Inn in State College, was full of activity. On Wednesday, the Conservation Issues Forum and several PACD committee meetings were held. Gary Mast, President of the National Association of Conservation Districts was the guest speaker at the luncheon.

NACD President Gary Mast

On Thursday, the Executive Council meeting, SCC meeting and PACD Soil and Water Committee meetings were held. Kathleen McGinty, DEP Secretary, was the guest speaker for the luncheon. The main item of business during the PACD Executive Council meeting was the approval of the PACD strategic planning goals. These goals were a result of the PACD's strategic planning effort. A team of PACD members met at PACD on October 9 and developed the goals (below) from information gathered from members at the PACD fall region meetings. The next step in the strategic planning process is for PACD to develop and implement an action plan.

The PACD Education Forum was held Friday. Check the December issue of News & Notes for the results of the Forum.

Concurrently with the PACD meeting, the Watershed Specialists meeting was held. Sixty-two Watershed Specialists attended. Training and discussion ensued on everything from non-point source education for municipal officials to water sampling basics. The fall meeting supplied plenty of opportunity for interaction and networking among PACD staff, DEP personnel, district directors, managers, watershed specialists and other district staff members.

Watershed Specialists Meeting

Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc.
2003 Strategic Goals

Cooperation

• PACD will endeavor to make the conservation districts the focus of the Conservation Partnership.

Funding

• PACD will seek dedicated funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for core conservation district functions.

• PACD will continue to pursue additional funding increases for other conservation district programs and initiatives.

Lobbying

• PACD will provide strong, effective lobbying for the Association's goals.

Communication & Outreach

• PACD will continue and improve its communication with members.

• By June 30, 2005, PACD will increase usage of website by 20%.

• By June 30, 2005, PACD will prepare a 'canned' presentation and outreach materials explaining conservation districts and their programs.

• By June 30, 2004, PACD will prepare a 'canned' presentation explaining PACD and how the Association operates.

Operations

• By July 2004, PACD will finance it's strategic goals through a fiscally balanced operational plan which will include increased dues.

• By December 31, 2003, PACD will establish a committee to review its Bylaws, committees, meetings, and policy development process, and recommend revisions.

Training

• The PACD Executive Director will continue to be an active participant on the Leadership Development Committee.

• PACD will continue to provide it's meeting venues for Leadership Development training.

Technical Training

• By June 30, 2004, PACD will facilitate the establishment of a Technical Training Coordinating Committee.

Products and Services

• By December 31, 2003, PACD will provide a list of possible group insurance plans that conservation districts could participate in.

• By December 31, 2003, PACD will inquire if conservation district staff could become eligible to join the state employee insurance group.

• By January 31, 2004, PACD will establish a task force to investigate the possible expansion of the PACD Engineering Assistance program.

105 Program

• By December 31, 2003, PACD will request that DEP conduct an evaluation and overhaul of the Chapter 105 program.

Conservation Education

Goal to follow from PACD Conservation Education Forum October 31, 2003.

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© 2003 Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc.