You – the volunteer Board Member – are the head and heart of the
RC&D organization. Your service and passion to the mission of the
organization is what makes it strong. As a board member, you have a right
to be informed - and trained - to help you carry out your personal and
corporate responsibilities in your RC&D governing body.
The purpose of the National Association of RC&D Councils' Training
Program is to provide the guidance and information you need to become an
exceptionally prepared Board member.
The old saying "If you don’t know where you are going, any road will
do" rings true in RC&D. High performance RC&D Councils do not
passively and contentedly take one day at a time in their work in the
community. Successful RC&D organizations share common
characteristics.
They are dynamic organizations whose focus is on achieving their
mission, meeting real human needs and sustaining a quality environment
for everyone.
- Take careful and calculated risks, have high energy and are
committed to their mission.
- Have board and staff relations with good chemistry, common vision,
clear communication and mutual respect.
- Do not encounter roadblocks, only detours.
It takes courage, passion, finesse and strategy to attain success...
and a lot of hard work. But few things are more satisfying than being part
of a successful RC&D team making great things happen in a
community.
Training classes are now available free of
charge for state and regional association meetings from the National
Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils. Our
training programs listed below are funded though a cooperative
agreement with the NRCS:
Area Planning:
Putting together the pieces- Securing your $’s PART 1
Planning and
implementation are the central functions of an RC&D Council. This
material will provide information to the council members and staff
on the process which enables the integration of local RC&D Goals
with new National Goals and Priorities to ensure your council
maintains its’ funding. Minimum one hour
Area Plan Part II:
Making SMART Decisions.
RC&D area plans are now required to have SMART goals (Specific,
Measureable, Attainable, Results Oriented and Timely). This
program will help you to understand the process of creating smart
goals and to have the ability to produce them easily. Minimum one
hour
Director’s
Training: The Who What When (new edition) You, the
volunteer Board Member, are the heart and head of the RC&D
organization. As a Board Member, you have the right to be informed
and trained to help carry out your personal and corporate
responsibilities in your RC&D governing body. This session will
help to provide guidance and information on the RC&D program and
non-profit management for both the new and the experienced Board
Member. Minimum one hour
Circle of
Diamonds: Standards of Excellence
Membership in NARC&DC’s Circle of Diamonds shows the honesty,
integrity and strong commitment of Councils to the RC&D mission, and
to public accountability. This brief presentation will discuss the
program and simplicity of the application process. Minimum 25
minutes
Two Cents Worth: Fiduciary Responsibilities of a Board for Project
Planning and Administration
While planning and administrating your projects you need to consider
your fiduciary oversight, which includes program, financial, legal
and organizational responsibilities. Spend time in this session
understanding basic terminology and best practices. Minimum one
hour.
Two Cents Sense:
Have It or Lose It Spend time in this session discussing legal expectations for
projects and grants, risk management, pass throughs and ways to
avoid trouble. Minimum one hour.
Achieving a Sense of Community: Outreach to Volunteers
This program will help your council address the issue of recruiting
volunteers from all populations within your RC&D Area. If you are
in need of volunteers or just new ways to look at your community and
its population, this program will help to address the issues.
Minimum one hour.
Sustainable RC&D Councils Part 1: Survival Tactics
Making your RC&D Council a sustainable and viable vehicle for the
future of your community takes knowledge. This class will look at
the different ways that a council can increase its sustainability;
including basic fundraising tactics. Minimum 90 minutes.
Sustainable Councils Part 2: External Communications: Use It or Lose
It How is your RC&D Council perceived? Are your publications read
and valued? How easy is it to navigate your website? Do you take
exciting photos? This session will discuss strategies to identify
your key messages and ways to present them to your public. Minimum
one hour for basic class—3 hours for workshop.
Sustainable Councils Part 3: Contract Basics: Know Your Rights and
Risks Class title says it all. This is the basic information class on
contracts. Minimum one hour.
Sustainable Councils Part 4: Hiring 101: The Rules Have Changed This program will help to bring awareness of the new rules that
you will need as you grow and begin to hire or add to your
workforce. Looking to hire employees, this class is designed for
you. Minimum one hour
Working with Tribes: First Step
A first step in working with a different culture is to recognize
and accept differences in cultures. This program will begin to help
RC&D Councils to understand the forces affecting each person and
organizations represented within the many tribes in our Nation.
Minimum one hour
For Further Information, please contact:
Donna Hunter, Director of Education
dhunter@sso.org
202-434-4780
RC&D Making Things Happen
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