New for 2025, Leadership Development will post a monthly series of short videos to share information, promote programming, and encourage discussion on board development topics.

The May installment of the series includes a brief discussion of the differences in liability for Delegated and Non-delegated programs, as well as links to a presentation video and reference checklist from the December 2023 Identifying Insurance Coverage Gaps webinar.

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.

New for 2025, Leadership Development will post a monthly series of short videos to share information, promote programming, and encourage discussion on board development topics.

The April installment of the series includes a brief overview of Quarterly Reimbursement Submission reporting courtesy of our partners at DEP and the SCC. A reference document is also included in the post.

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.

District managers and management staff, mark your calendars for the 2025 Management Summit and PreCon, scheduled for September 16-18 at the Wyndham State College.

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.

Adam Long of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC presented a webinar on March 18, 2025, to address questions that were submitted during and after the February Employment Law for Conservation Districts Seminar series. Links to the recording of this session and the seminar reference booklet are posted at Building for Tomorrow.

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

On March 12, 2025, twenty-eight conservation district staff gathered in State College, PA, for the “Inspiring Action with Public Speaking” workshop. Participants learned the essential principles and techniques for planning and delivering confident and compelling speeches, presentations, and pitches. The exercises used examples from situations the conservation districts face, including speaking in front of commissions, legislators, and local news.

 

March Board Development Video: Strategic Planning

New for 2025, Leadership Development will post a monthly series of short videos to share information, promote programming, and encourage discussion on board development topics. It’s never too early to start thinking about strategic planning, and the March installment of the series includes a brief overview of the importance of strategic planning for districts, preparation, and the planning process, and support available through the Strategic Planning Grants Program.

Employment Law Seminar Reference

Written reference materials from the February Employment Law Seminars are now posted for your convenience at Building for Tomorrow.

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.

Over 75 conservation district personnel and partner staff attended the three Employment Law for Conservation Districts seminars on February 18, 19, and 20. Adam Long of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC presented the seminars on best practices for hiring and managing employees, wage and hour laws, leave rights, policy review and updates, discriminatory harassment, and employment law trends for 2025 and beyond.

A seminar reference book is posted at Building for Tomorrow, and a follow-up webinar to address detailed employment law and policy questions is scheduled for March 18.

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 5th Annual Conservation District Video Awards presentation was held on Thursday, February 13, 2025. Clips from nine 2024 district video entries were screened, and awards were presented to the top-scoring videos, including:

• Special Recognition Award: Watermarks, submitted by Indiana County Conservation District
• 1st Place: Streambank Stabilization Resources for Homeowners – Part 1, submitted by Westmoreland Conservation District
• 1st Runner-up: No-Till Drill Instructional Video, submitted by Montgomery County Conservation District
• 2nd Runner-up: Flushing Friday, submitted by Schuylkill Conservation District

Links to all 2024 Video Awards entries and the awards presentation are posted at Building for Tomorrow: https://www.paleadership.org/cdva2024.

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 are encouraged to attend the Inspiring Action with Public Speaking workshop on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at the Ramada Conference Center State College. The workshop, presented by Cindi Johnson and Stacey Piper of Piper Strategies, will provide an overview of audience-driven approaches to messaging and delivery that will supercharge your presentations and speaking engagements. Attendees will also have the opportunity to practice and get feedback on their own presentations.

Registration is required. The cost is $30 per attendee and includes lunch, refreshments, and workshop materials. Space is limited for this valuable training opportunity; registration closes when the workshop is filled.

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.

Mastering public speaking is a critical skill in today’s world and can greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively and influence others. Communicating the impact of district programs to different stakeholders is a critical skill to boost participation among landowners, collaboration with partners, and decision-maker influence among local or state representatives.

In this half-day in-person training workshop, participants will learn essential principles and techniques for planning and delivering confident and compelling speeches, presentations, and pitches. The workshop will be held at the Ramada Conference Center State College on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, from 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Registration is required. The cost is $30 per attendee, and includes lunch, refreshments, and workshop materials.

The workshop will be facilitated by Stacey Piper & Cindi Johnson of Piper Strategies. All district staff are encouraged to attend, but space is limited, so don’t miss out on this valuable training. 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.