All district personnel and partners are welcome to join us on February 16 for the 3rd Annual Conservation District Video Awards. Tune in via Zoom from Noon – 1:00 p.m. as we celebrate district-produced video content and find out who will win the coveted CONDIVA trophy for 2022.

Attention Eastern PA districts: only a few spaces remain for the February 23 Employment Law Seminar at the Country Inn & Suites Lehighton-Jim Thorpe. Registration closes when the workshop reaches capacity, so any directors, associate directors, and managers interested in attending should register as soon as possible. Registration is also filling up for the Western PA seminar at the Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh/Cranberry on February 21 and the Central PA seminar at the Ramada State College on February 22. Visit Building for Tomorrow to register and for more information.

Staff and managers participating in the CliftonStrengths 2023 Initiative should complete their assessments by February 3, and those planning to attend a team-building workshop should register by February 17. The Western PA workshops are filling up quickly, but there’s still space available. Visit Building for Tomorrow for registration 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.

All district personnel and partners are invited to join us for the 3rd Annual Conservation District Video Awards, streaming via Zoom on Thursday, February 16 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Since 2020 we’ve been recognizing excellence in this medium and celebrating the efforts of district staff who produce and share video content. Our 2022 finalists represent the best of the best from across the state. Tune in on February 16 to find out who will win bragging rights for their district and bring home the coveted CONDIVA trophy.

Leadership Development Reminders

Every district is encouraged to send a representative to attend one of the Employment Law Seminars scheduled for February 21, 22, and 23. Space is limited and filling up quickly – visit Building for Tomorrow to register.

All staff and managers participating in the 2023 CliftonStrengths Initiative should complete their assessments by February 3. Those planning to attend a workshop can register here – space is limited, and registration closes for each when capacity is filled or by February 17. Contact Matt Miller, LD Coordinator 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.

Reminder to all district staff who are participating in the 2023 CliftonStrengths initiative – please complete your assessments by February 3 and register for a workshop by February 17. Visit Building for Tomorrow 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.

Space is limited and filling up quickly for the February Employment Law Seminars. Every conservation district should plan on sending at least one representative, and managers, directors, and associate directors interested in attending this training are encouraged to register as soon as possible to ensure your place. 

Presented by Adam Long of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, the seminar will provide an overview of practice and policy for lawfully and effectively managing conservation district staff. Topics will include hiring considerations and employment policies such as harassment training and policy, employee absences and leave, wage and employee classification, and best management practices for staff communication, confidentiality, conduct, and performance concerns. Each session begins with networking at 9:00 a.m., and the training will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Lunch is provided, and all attendees will receive a bound reference document to supplement the presentation. There is no fee to attend, but registration is required.

Register for Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh/Cranberry on Tuesday, February 21  

Register for Ramada State College on Wednesday, February 22 

Register for Country Inn & Suites Lehighton-Jim Thorpe on Thursday, February 23 

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.

 

Submit Your Entries for the 3^rd Annual Conservation District Video Awards

Reminder to all districts who produced and shared video content this year – the deadline to submit your entries to the 2022 CDVAs is next Friday, December 31. Who will win the coveted CONDIVA trophy for 2022? Tune in to the 3^rd Annual Conservation District Video Awards on Thursday, February 16, to find out. In the meantime, please submit your videos for consideration. Click here for the submission form. 

2023 CliftonStrengths Initiative and Team-Building Workshops for Staff

Following the success of the 2022 CliftonStrengths for Managers initiative, Building for Tomorrow will be presenting a program in 2023 geared toward district staff. The two-part initiative begins this week with the CliftonStrengths assessment, an online exercise that identifies an individual’s unique talent themes and the greatest potential for building strengths. Participants will receive a report detailing their five signature themes, which serve as a starting point in discovering talents that can be productively applied to achieve success in their personal and professional lives. The assessment’s purpose is to facilitate development and growth, and it can be used as a springboard for discussion with managers, colleagues, and friends, and as a tool for self-awareness. Feedback about talents and strengths development can form the basis for further exploration to help individuals capitalize on their greatest talents and apply them to new challenges. Managers who previously indicated their district would participate will receive information for their staff this week. Individual staff at other districts can contact Leadership Development Coordinator Matt Miller at mmiller@pacd.org directly to participate.

After taking the assessment, the staff is encouraged to attend one of the CliftonStrengths Team-Building Workshops. Participants will visit State Parks to participate in a half-day program that explores the role of talents and strengths and the development, integration, and applications of talents and strengths for success. 2023 CliftonStrengths Team-Building Workshops are open to all district staff; there is no fee to attend, but space is limited and registration is required. Workshops are scheduled for February 28 at Hickory Run State Park, March 2 at French Creek State Park, March 7 at Bald Eagle State Park, March 8 at Moraine State Park, March 9 at Keystone State Park, and March 14 at Lackawanna State Park. Staff participating in the CliftonStrengths assessment can 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.

 

Strategic Planning Grants Reminder

The deadline for submitting a Letter of Intent for the Strategic Planning Grants program is Friday, December 23. The program will reimburse up to $1500 in costs associated with strategic planning activities and may assist in facilitating the planning process. Visit Building for Tomorrow for program information and requirements, or contact Leadership Development Coordinator Matt Miller at mmiller@pacd.org.

Building Blocks of Trust

In case you missed it, video and program materials for the 2022 Fall Leadership presentation Building Blocks of Trust, presented by River Network’s April Ingle, are posted at Building for Tomorrow. 

Register Now for 2023 Employment Law Seminars

Adam Long of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC will present a seminar on Employment Law for Conservation Districts on February 21 at the Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh/Cranberry, February 22 at the Ramada State College, and February 23 at Country Inn & Suites Lehighton-Jim Thorpe. The presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of practice and policy for lawfully and effectively managing conservation district staff. Topics will include hiring considerations and employment policies such as harassment training and policy, employee absences and leave, wage and employee classification, and best management practices for staff communication, confidentiality, conduct, and performance concerns. All conservation district managers, directors, and associate directors are encouraged to attend. Networking begins at 9:00 a.m. and seminars will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Lunch is provided, and all attendees will receive a bound reference document to supplement the presentation. There is no fee to attend, but space is limited, and registration is required. Click here 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.

 

All districts that produced and shared video or animated content in 2022 are encouraged to submit an entry for the 3^rd Annual Conservation District Video Awards. Videos will be scored on production, presentation, and messaging, and finalists will compete for the coveted CONDIVA trophy at the awards presentation on Thursday, February 16. Visit Building for Tomorrow for the submission form – entries must be received by December 31, 2022.

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 staff are invited to participate in the 2023 CliftonStrengths Initiative, which includes an online strengths assessment and a team-building workshop scheduled at a PA State Park. Stay tuned for coming announcements, but in the meantime, please mark your calendars for the workshop date closest to you:

• Tuesday, February 28 – Hickory Run State Park
• Thursday, March 2 – French Creek State Park
• Tuesday, March 7 – Bald Eagle State Park
• Wednesday, March 8 – Moraine State Park
• Thursday, March 9 – Keystone State Park
• Tuesday, March 14 – Lackawanna State Park

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.

 

Employment Law Seminars Announced for 2023

Adam Long of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC will present a series of seminars on Employment Law for Conservation Districts on February 21 at the Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh/Cranberry, February 22 at the Ramada State College, and February 23 at the Country Inn & Suites Lehighton-Jim Thorpe, with a follow-up webinar planned for March.

The presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of practice and policy for lawfully and effectively managing conservation district staff. Topics will include hiring considerations and employment policies such as harassment training and policy, employee absences, leave wage, employee classification, and best management practices for staff communication, confidentiality, conduct, and performance concerns.

All conservation district managers, directors, and associate directors are encouraged to attend. Seminars will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Lunch is provided, and all attendees will receive a bound reference document to supplement the presentation. Visit Building for Tomorrow for more information and to register. 

Apply Now for 2023 Strategic Planning Grants

The State Conservation Commission has allocated funding for grants to reimburse up to $1,500 in expenses related to developing a district strategic plan for the 2022-23 program year. The deadline to submit a Letter of Intent for 2023 is December 23, 2022. Click here for information and program requirements, or contact Leadership Development Coordinator Matt Miller at mmiller@pacd.org.

Submit Your 2022 Entry for the 3rd Annual Conservation District Video Awards

All districts that produced and shared video or animated content this year can submit entries for the 3^rd Annual Conservation District Video Awards, scheduled for February 16. Click here for the submission form. All entries must be received by December 31, 2022.

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.

It’s that time of year again – time to submit your videos for the 3^rd Annual Conservation District Video Awards! Who will win the coveted CONDIVA trophy this year? We’ll have to wait until February to find out, but in the meantime, all districts that have produced and shared video or animated content this year are encouraged to submit their entries by December 31, 2022. 

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Building Blocks of Trust webinar on November 16. Links to the presentation recording, a Building Blocks of Trust summary, and a full report with case studies are posted at Building for Tomorrow. 

Reminder: The deadline to submit a Letter of Intent for the 2023 Strategic Planning Grants Program is December 23, 2022. Visit Building for Tomorrow for more information, or contact Matt Miller, Leadership Development Coordinator 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.