2024 Staff and Director Training Initiatives are open for registration and include programming for all district personnel and partners.

A three-part webinar series on Understanding Time Management is scheduled for January 31, February 7, and February 14. The series will examine our understanding of time as a resource, strategies, tools for productivity, and the psychology of procrastination.

A workshop titled Emotional Intelligence: Apps for Wellbeing is scheduled at five regional locations in February and March. This half-day interactive training includes a presentation, group discussion, and activities focusing on the fundamentals of emotional intelligence and stress management. Attendees will learn techniques and practices to develop and support emotional intelligence both in and out of the workplace. The workshop will be facilitated by Sarah Colantonio, president and founding partner at Lancaster-based Work Wisdom LLC and previous facilitator for workshops at Building for Tomorrow’s Management Summit and Emerging Leaders Pre-Con.

A workshop on Strategic Board Development is scheduled at six regional host districts in February and March. Strategic Board Development seeks to ensure that district needs are met in the future and present, including assessing board capacity and skill sets, an examination of culture, and a commitment to community outreach. Workshop attendees will discuss factors in assessing board readiness for future challenges, understand SCC procedures for the director nomination process and for the approval of nominating organizations, and identify opportunities to help build and sustain strategic relationships with nominating and other organizations working to make positive impacts in their communities.

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.

 

Winter 2024 Leadership Development programming includes offerings for all district personnel. This year’s Staff Training Initiative includes regional workshops on emotional intelligence and a webinar series on time management.

Regional Director Training workshops will focus on strategic board development and working with nominating organizations.

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.

If your district has video from this year, we want to see and share your work with district and partner personnel from across the state and beyond!

Building for Tomorrow is now accepting submissions for the 4th Annual Conservation District Video Awards, scheduled for Thursday, February 15, 2024, from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Every year, our panel of judges reviews district video entries to recognize excellence in this field and to determine the recipients of the coveted CONDIVA trophy awarded to the highest-scoring videos. The presentation on February 15 will include clips from all entries, as well as some insight from the creative district staff members who produced this content before we find out which districts bring home the trophies (and bragging rights) for 2023. CDVA entries from past years have been featured in statewide Earth Day celebrations and the Summer Joint Annual Conference, and as the profile for the event grows every year, so does our audience.

All districts that produced video content in 2023 should fill out a CDVA Submission Form and return it before December 31, 2023. We’re looking forward to promoting and celebrating your hard work!

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.

 

 

A three-part webinar series on Understanding Time Management is scheduled for Wednesdays, January 31, February 7, and February 14. The series will examine strategies and methods based on three key principles of time management, 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.

The 2024 Staff Training Workshop, Emotional Intelligence: Applications for Wellbeing, is scheduled for five locations across the state. 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. Workshops are scheduled from 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.

2024 Staff Workshop Schedule: Visit Building for Tomorrow to register.

• Tuesday, February 20 – Ramada Conference Center, State College
• Tuesday, February 27 – Fred Rogers Institute at St. Vincent College, Latrobe
• Tuesday, March 12 – Penn State Berks, Reading
• Wednesday, March 20 – Camp Orchard Hill, Dallas
• Wednesday, March 27 – Quality Inn Conference Center, Franklin

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.

 

Districts interested in strategic planning support for the upcoming year should submit a Letter of Intent before Friday, December 29. For more information, please visit the Strategic Planning Grants page at Building for Tomorrow or contact Matt Miller, Leadership Development Manager mmiller@pacd.org.

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 2024 Director Workshop series features six regional meetings focusing on director nomination, nominating organizations, and preparing district boards for the future.

Board development enhances an organization’s ability to achieve its mission by helping directors fulfill their responsibilities effectively. Strategic board development takes a proactive approach to ensure that district needs are met in the future as well as the present by assessing and identifying areas for improvement and growth and addressing gaps in skills and experience on your board.

Workshop attendees will:

• discuss factors in assessing board readiness for future challenges
• understand SCC procedures for the director nomination process and approval of nominating organizations
• review the list of active nominating organizations for their districts
• identify opportunities to help build and sustain strategic relationships with other organizations working to positively impact their communities

All conservation district directors, associate directors, managers, and partner staff are welcome. Workshops are scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and networking with refreshments begins at 9:30 a.m. There is no fee to attend, but registration is required. Lunch and all workshop materials are provided.

2024 Director Workshop Schedule: Visit Building for Tomorrow to register.

• Wednesday, February 21 – Clinton County Conservation District
• Wednesday, February 28 – Westmoreland Conservation District
• Tuesday, March 5 – Berks County Conservation District
• Wednesday, March 13 – Cumberland County Conservation District
• Tuesday, March 19 – Monroe County Conservation District
• Tuesday, March 26 – Warren County Conservation District

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 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.