PACD is hiring a full-time Leadership Development Program Coordinator. The coordinator will facilitate the development and the implementation of Pennsylvania’s “Building for Tomorrow” Leadership Development Program to meet the evolving needs and growth in professional development for Pennsylvania’s conservation districts, developing the appropriate and comprehensive programs and materials to support professional development for directors and staff.

Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to PACD. Please apply by e-mail with subject heading “LD Coordinator” to jobs@pacd.org. All application materials must be received by 4:30pm on March 21, 2018.

Click here to read the full job announcement. 

See the dates and locations for your upcoming region meeting below.

PACD South West Region Meeting
March 8, 2018
Westmoreland Conservation District, Greensburg, PA

PACD South Central Region Meeting
March 20, 2018
Cumberland County Conservation District, Carlisle, PA

PACD South East Region Meeting
March 22, 2018
Franconia Heritage Restaurant, Telford, PA

PACD North West Region Meeting
March 27, 2018
Forest County Conservation District, Tionesta, PA

PACD North Central Region Meeting
April 12, 2018
Clinton County Conservation District, Mill Hall, PA

PACD North East Region Meeting
April 13, 2018
DEP Northeast Regional Office, Wilkes-Barre, PA

From January 17-18, 2018, conservation district directors, associate directors, staff, partners, and friends braved the snowy roads to travel to Toftrees in State College for the PACD/SCC Winter Meeting.

During Executive Council the following were approved:

• Bylaws change to allow associate directors to serve as region directors.
• Bylaws change to allow every board member a vote on the PACD Executive Board.
• Policy opposing an abbreviated permit review period.
• Cliff Lane was elected as National Association of Conservation Districts Director.

Also during the meeting, a 50/50 drawing was held to benefit the PA Envirothon. Because winner Kelly Stagen donated her winnings back to the Envirothon, PACD was able to write a check for $309 to the Envirothon.

Next, PACD is turning its focus toward the NACD Northeast Regional Meeting & PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference which will take place July 15-18, 2018 in Lancaster, PA.

On January 16, 2018, PACD held a strategic planning session at Toftrees in State College prior to the PACD/SCC Winter Meeting. Board members, staff, and one district manager from each region were guided through the process by Michael Kumer.

The group identified seven priorities. They are:

1. PACD will promote and advocate for conservation districts to elected officials, partners, and the general public.
2. PACD will help districts with the recruitment, training, and development of directors, managers, and staff.
3. PACD will help districts attain sustainable, diverse funding.
4. Strengthen relationships and agreements with state and federal agencies.
5. Growing Greener
6. Ensure PACD is adequately staffed and funded.
7. Foster communication and communication between districts.

Next, PACD will work to identify specific tasks to focus on these priorities.

From: https://midnightpoem.tumblr.com/post/37362306136

By Jann McNamara, PACD Administrative Assistant, jmcnamara@pacd.org

Before coming to PACD, I worked for five years with the Department of Agriculture providing administrative support to the Deputy Secretaries and the Legislative Director (which was PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh!). At the end of my career with the Department, I had the opportunity to work with the Bureau of Markets working with commodities and the Fair Fund Program.

On a personal note, except for a brief stint in San Antonio when my husband was in the Air Force, I have lived in the Harrisburg area. My husband Kevin and I have three children and we are officially “empty nesters” with our youngest starting his freshman year in college in August.

I am thrilled to be back working with Brenda and the rest of the awesome staff at PACD and look forward to helping the districts however I can with all the great work you do!

Editor’s Note: Jann joined PACD after former part-time Administrative Assistant Sandy Austin moved on to pursue full-time employment. We wish Sandy well and thank her for her six years of dedication to PACD.

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Executive Directors’ Conference was held in Salt Lake City, Utah, from August 29 to September 1, 2017. PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh traveled to Utah for the conference.

Topics included fundraising, marketing, and peer-to-peer training.

“This was a fantastic opportunity to network with other state association executive directors. While we do face some different issues, there are many that are the same all over the country. I am excited to bring back ideas that we can use in Pennsylvania,” said Shambaugh.

Click here to see NACD’s photos and here to read NACD’s article on the event (scroll to second item). 

 

PACD Executive Assistant & Meeting Planner Molly Burns recently attended the 2017 National Association of Conservation District’s (NACD) Northeast Regional Meeting, August 13-15 in Burlington, Vermont. When asked what she found most valuable, Molly said “Learning about districts in other states – our similarities and differences – is an eye-opening experience. I hope that our members all take advantage of having the regional meeting so close to home next year. There is so much we can learn from each other.”

During the meeting, Molly gained valuable contacts and hands-on information to help coordinate the 2018 NACD Northeast Regional Meeting, which will take place in combination with the PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference, July 15-18, 2018, at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel in Lancaster, PA.

Ag Progress Days at Penn State was held August 15-17, 2017. PACD organized a booth for conservation districts to speak with attendees.

Several volunteers made the booth possible: Ann Donovan (Centre), Eric Naguski (Dauphin), Eric Ernst (Union), Shanon Burkland Stamm (Union), Abbe Hamilton (Huntingdon), Pierce Wilson (Fayette), Joe Dietrick (Westmoreland), and Rob Shannon (Centre). Thank you for your time and for helping to make the booth a success!

During the PACD Executive Council meeting on Thursday, July 13, new officers were elected.

They are:

• President – Charles Duritsa
• 1^st Vice President – Mike Price
• 2^nd Vice President – Donald Koontz

Please welcome these board members to their new positions!