News & Notes November 2004

A Closer Look at PACD's Mission

What is PACD's mission statement? If you said, "The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts is a nonprofit organization that supports, enhances and promotes Pennsylvania's Conservation Districts and their programs," you are correct. Now that you know the mission statement, do you know how PACD is fulfilling its mission?

In fulfilling its mission, PACD supports Conservation Districts and their programs by:

• Seeking increased funding and program support through government relations and lobbying at both state and national levels
  
• Developing and maintaining working relationships with partner agencies and organizations
  
• Providing grants for district programs relating to nonpoint source pollution and improving the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay
  
• Providing engineering technical assistance at no cost to districts
  
• Supplying districts with educational materials such as exhibits and brochures

PACD enhances Conservation Districts and their programs by:

• Establishing partnerships with other organizations and agencies to provide training such as agriculture conservation technical training (bootcamp)
  
• Offering free use of communication tools such as email and listserves
  
• Maintaining an information filled, up-to-date website
  
• Participating in the continuing effort to enhance leadership among its members

PACD promotes Conservation Districts and their programs by:

• Making the public more aware though radio ads
  
• Working with other agencies
  
• Displaying the Conservation District exhibit and brochures at meetings and conferences such as PSATS and Project Grass
  
• Hosting an annual awards program for districts and their constituents
  
• Publishing News & Notes to keep members informed on issues concerning districts and PACD activities
  
• Supporting the PEACCE Program to promote environmentally safe agricultural practices among livestock producers

These are just some of the ways your state association is working on behalf of districts according to the PACD Strategic Plan. For more information on PACD activities visit www.pacd.org.

Bylaws Committee Holds First Meeting

The PACD Bylaws Committee held its first meeting October 19 at the PACD office. The Committee discussed what bylaws are, what Pennsylvania law requires and what should and should not be included in bylaws. Next, the Committee took comments submitted by members and started the review process.

Larry Kehl, Bylaws Committee Chairman, provided an update on the Committee's progress at the PACD Fall Meeting. Proposed improvements to PACD include increasing the size of the Executive Board and re-vamping PACD's standing committees.

The Committee's work is ongoing. Written comments are still being accepted. Comments can be submitted by mail to: PACD, c/o Susan Marquart, 25 N. Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17101 by email, susan-marquart@pacd.org.

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