Thanks again to the over 80 district directors, staff, and partners who participated in the 2023 Employment Law for Conservation Districts seminars. A follow-up webinar to address specific questions from the seminars was presented on March 15 by Adam Long. This session’s video and slides, along with reference material from the February seminar series, are now 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.

All district management staff and partners – mark your calendars for the 2023 Management Summit and Pre-Con, scheduled for September 12-14 at the Wyndham Garden Conference Center State College. The draft agenda will be announced in June. Visit Building for Tomorrow for updates.

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 80 district personnel and partners attended the Employment Law for Conservation Districts seminar series on February 21 in Cranberry Township, February 22 in State College, and February 23 in Lehighton. The program was presented by Adam Long of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC and included an overview of policies and best practices for effectively and lawfully managing staff. A webinar to follow up on some of the questions discussed in these seminars is scheduled for March 15. Click here to register for the 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.

The 3rd Annual Conservation District Video Awards presentation was held on Thursday, February 16.

Clips from eight 2022 video submissions were screened, district staff discussed the production of their content, and awards were presented based on overall production, presentation, and messaging scoring.

The First Prize, and the coveted CONDIVA trophy, went to “Improving Driveways and Access Lanes,” submitted by Kylie Schultz of Westmoreland Conservation District.

Runners-up trophies were awarded to Berks, Chester, and Pike County Conservation District entries.

Video of the 3rd Annual CDVA presentation and links to the 2022 entries can be found on the Building for Tomorrow website. 

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 invited to tune in via Zoom for the 3rd Annual Conservation District Video Awards next Thursday, February 16, from Noon – 1:00 p.m.

Only a handful of spaces are left for the Employment Law for Conservation Districts seminars February 21–23. Director and managers, don’t miss this valuable training opportunity – visit Building for Tomorrow to register.

Registration for the March 9 CliftonStrengths workshop at Keystone State Park is closed, and the rest are filling up quickly – any staff or managers interested in attending can visit Building for Tomorrow to register before February 17.

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 welcome to join us on February 16 for the 3rd Annual Conservation District Video Awards. Tune in via Zoom from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. as we celebrate district-produced video content and find out who will win the coveted CONDIVA trophy for 2022.

Registration is still open for the 2023 Employment Law for Conservation Districts seminar series scheduled for February 21-23. Space is limited and filling up quickly, so directors, associate directors, and managers interested in attending should register as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this valuable training opportunity. 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. 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 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.