News & Notes June 2001

PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference Coming to
State College, July 16-18

Conservation partners from across Pennsylvania are cordially invited to join the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. for the first ever Summer PACD/State Conservation Commission Joint Annual Conference.

The conference, July 16-18 at the Toftrees Resort in State College, will feature a number of regular Association business functions, as well as a variety of entertainment activities planned for PACD’s Auxiliary members.

Activities commence on Monday, July 16 with general sessions throughout the afternoon. Topics include: Managing Multiple Funding Sources for Agricultural BMPs and a Panel Discussion on Owning and Operating Conservation District Buildings. That evening a meeting of the District Employees Committee will be held.

The PACD Conservation Awards Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, July 17. Come out and help recognize the outstanding accomplishments of your fellow Pennsylvanians, for going above and beyond to help conserve the Commonwealth’s natural resources. Award winners have previously announced and may be viewed on the PACD website.

Also on July 17 will be a special ceremony to commemorate the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the PACD and Pennsylvania Department of Education. PACD’s Education and Youth Committee has been working on the MOU for the past year. A reception and banquet will be held on the beautiful outdoor patio Tuesday evening, following the signing of the MOU.

A number of general sessions and committee meetings will also be held throughout the day on July 17. General Sessions for the day will focus on the following topics: Opportunities for Surplus Property for Conservation Districts, and PACD’s Technical Assistance Grant. Following the dinner banquet, the District Operations Committee will meet, concluding conference activities for the day.

Conference activities for Wednesday, July 18 begin with the Memorial Breakfast. The PACD Executive Council Meeting will be held following breakfast. Agenda items for council meeting include: approval of the 2001-2002 PACD Budget, 2001 Policy Positions, Bylaw Changes and the Election of PACD Officers. As always, all districts are encouraged to have a voting delegate on hand.

The Joint Annual Conference will conclude with the SCC Luncheon, followed by the SCC Meeting, where Secretary Samuel Hayes will be the featured Speaker. Conservation District Attendance Awards will also be held as part of the SCC Luncheon.

Auxiliary members are invited to attend a luncheon and an “Out and About in State College” excursion, planned for Monday afternoon, July 16. On July 17, the PACD Auxiliary Meeting will be held, proceeded by a group breakfast with an entertaining speaker.

Registration information, and directions to the Toftrees Resort has been mailed out to conservation district staff, directors and Pennsylvania Conservation Partners in late May. The registration forms and additional conference information, may also be found on the PACD website: www.pacd.org. The registration deadline is July 6.

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