The 2024 Staff Training Workshop, Emotional Intelligence: Applications for Wellbeing, is scheduled for five locations across the state in February and March. This interactive workshop will include a presentation, group discussion, and activities focusing on concrete applications of emotional intelligence (EI). Workshop attendees will learn techniques and practices to develop and support EI both in and out of the workplace and gain a greater awareness of leadership derailers. EI: Applications for Wellbeing will be facilitated by Sarah Colantonio, founding partner at Lancaster-based Work Wisdom LLC and a previous workshop facilitator at the 2023 Management Summit and Emerging Leaders Pre-Con. Workshops are scheduled for 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. and are open to all conservation district staff. Registration is $35 per attendee, which includes all workshop materials, coffee and beverage service starting at 9:45 a.m., and a lunch buffet from Noon–12:45 p.m. Visit Building for Tomorrow to register.

Our 2024 Winter Webinar Series, Understanding Time Management, is scheduled for three Wednesdays, January 31, February 7, and February 14. This three-part series will examine strategies and methods based on three key time management principles, demonstrate the purpose and value of common time management tools, and uncover the causes of procrastination and ways to eliminate it. Click here to register.

Reminder: Mark your calendars for the 4th Annual Conservation District Video Awards! Tune in on Thursday, February 15, as we screen video entries from across the state, speak with some of the staff who created them, and learn which district will bring home the coveted CONDIVA trophy for 2023. All districts that produced video content this year are encouraged to submit an entry form for 2024.

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.

 

Video and slides for the first two sessions of the 2023 Fall Leadership Series are posted at Building for Tomorrow. The final webinar in our 2023 Fall series is scheduled for Wednesday, December 13, and will focus on identifying gaps in insurance coverage. Click here to register.

All districts that produced video content this year are encouraged to submit their entries for the 4^th Annual Conservation District Video Awards, scheduled for February 15. The deadline for entries is December 29, 2023.

Strategic Planning Grants are available for 2024. Districts considering strategic planning in the coming year can visit Building for Tomorrow or contact Matt Miller, LD Program Manager mmiller@pacd.org for more information.

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.

The 4^th Annual Conservation District Video Awards presentation is scheduled for Thursday, February 15, 2024, from Noon – 1:00 p.m. Deadline for entries is Friday, December 29. Visit Building for Tomorrow for information on submitting your video.

Last week’s Financial Issues webinar included information on grant management, internal controls, and SCC policy on donations and fundraisers. Session video and materials are posted at Building for Tomorrow. There’s still time to register for the remaining two sessions in the 2023 Fall Leadership Series. A Tech Roundtable Meeting on Website Accessibility is scheduled for November 29, and a session on Identifying Gaps in Insurance Coverage is planned for December 13. Visit Building for Tomorrow to register.

Friday, December 22, is the deadline for districts to submit a Letter of Intent for the 2023-24 Strategic Planning Grants program. Interested districts can find more information and review the program requirements at Building for Tomorrow or contact Leadership Development Program Manager Matt Miller.

Stay tuned for big announcements on 2024 Staff Training and Director Training Workshops!

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.

All district personnel and partners are invited to participate in the 2023 Fall Leadership Webinar Series. This year’s series includes sessions on financial issues, website accessibility, and insurance gaps. Sessions are scheduled from Noon–1:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, November 15, 29, and December 13. Visit Building for Tomorrow for more information and to register.

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.

This year’s series features include sessions on financial issues, website accessibility, and insurance gaps. All sessions are scheduled for 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m., and all district managers, staff, directors, and partners are welcome to participate.

Financial Issues in Conservation District Management – Wednesday, November 15. 

Following up on the 2023 Management Summit breakout, Kevin Stouffer of SEK will present and answer questions on audits, grant management, and internal controls. DEP, SCC, and PACD staff will also discuss topics such as fundraisers and donations, ACAP requirements, and more.

Tech Roundtable: Website Accessibility – Wednesday, November 29

This session will provide an overview of website accessibility standards, ADA requirements, and potential issues for districts. Group discussion will follow a demonstration of accessibility evaluation tools.

Identifying Gaps in Insurance Coverage – Wednesday December 13

Are there gaps in your district’s property or liability coverage? This session will include insights from insurance professionals, district board members, and management on the process of determining whether all of your district activities are covered under your current policies.

Visit Building for Tomorrow to register.

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.

Reminder to districts considering strategic planning: the Strategic Planning Grants Program is accepting letters of intent for 2024, and planning support is also available for interested districts. Visit Building for Tomorrow for more information.

A brief 2024 Staff Workshop options survey was sent out last week to all district staff listservs. All district staff are requested to complete this survey by Friday, October 13.

All district staff and managers who have yet to participate in the CliftonStrengths for Conservation Districts initiative are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. The CliftonStrengths assessment is an online tool that helps individuals identify, understand, and maximize their strengths. It can empower confidence, improve performance, and support growth and development in all personal and professional life aspects. The CliftonStrengths initiative aims to help district staff discover their talent areas, identify where the greatest potential for building strengths exists, and examine how individual strengths contribute to team performance and organizational culture. Staff interested in beginning their CliftonStrengths learning journey can visit Building for Tomorrow or contact Matt Miller mmiller@pacd.org Leadership Development Program Manager for more information.

Lastly, mark your calendars for the 4^th Annual Conservation District Video Awards at noon on Thursday, February 15, 2024. Tune in to find out which districts will win the coveted CONDIVA trophy for 2023!

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission grant. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.

The 2023 Management Summit was held September 12-14, 2023, at the Wyndham Garden State College Conference Center, Boalsburg, PA.

The Tuesday pre-con was attended by 38 new managers and partner staff. The total Summit attendance was 64. Summit attendees participated in sessions on resilience, burnout, leadership derailers, performance reviews, change management, maximizing total compensation, and financial topics.

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.

Last Chance to Register for Management Summit & Pre-Con

Management staff can still register for the 2023 Management Summit & Pre-Con September 12-14 at the Wyndham Garden State College. The registration deadline is this Friday, September 1. Visit Building for Tomorrow to register.

2024 Strategic Planning Funding and Support Available for Districts

Districts considering updating or creating new strategic plans can apply for a 2024 Strategic Planning Grant. Visit Building for Tomorrow or contact Leadership Development Coordinator Matt Miller at mmiller@pacd.org for more information.

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.

Attention all district management staff – the deadline for making a reservation from the Summit room block is this Friday, August 11. Attendees who plan to reserve a room should contact the Wyndham Garden State College directly at 814-466-2255 and provide Summit group code 091123MAN to receive the discounted rate. The 2023 Summit features a dedicated day for emerging leaders and a varied conference program for all district managers, visit Building for Tomorrow for more information and to register.

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.

Registration is open for the 2023 Management Summit and Pre-Con, September 12-14 at the Wyndham Conference Center State College.  For the third year in a row, the conference features a Tuesday Pre-Con meeting dedicated to new and first-time managers, assistant managers, team leaders and other management-aspiring district staff.  This year’s Pre-Con program for emerging leaders features a morning workshop focusing on executive & supervisory skills and an afternoon workshop focusing on emotional intelligence.  

Wednesday’s Summit keynote, presented by Sarah Colantonio of Lancaster-based Work Wisdom LLC will examine the connections between stress, burnout, and emotional intelligence and their effects on organizational culture and leadership.  The Summit program also features breakouts on financial topics and strengths-based performance reviews, a workshop session on Change Management & Maximizing Total Compensation, partner presentations, and an opportunity to meet the new district management staff and new CDFRs.

Visit Building for Tomorrow for more information and to register.   Please note that the deadline for making a reservation from the Summit room block is August 11 – attendees should contact the Wyndham Garden State College directly at 814-466-2255 and provide Summit group code: 091123MAN

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.