National Conservation District
Employees Association

District Employees Put Conservation on the Land

     








 

 

 

2006 NCDEA Regional Reports Index

North Central Region Report

2175 Number of District Employees in Region         
    31 Number of Employees on State TLCs
     7  Number of State Employee Associations in Region
Officers
President - Greg Baneck - Wisconsin
Vice President -Irene Moore - Ohio
Secretary - Vacant
Treasurer - Vacant
Past President Sherri Doane - Missouri

Legal Status of Regional CD Employees Association

Not 501C3

Annual Meeting
# attendees -- 8
speakers -- Nancy Boggs – Greene SWCD, OH gave presentation on Catastrophic Sick Leave Program established in Ohio.
actions passed -- Develop work plan for region
pending actions -- Develop an outline of State Rep Responsibilities, Long Range Planning, Budget
positions/recommendations -- Promote NCDEA Awards Programs, Work on Networking w/in the region, Promote training opportunities available between states.

Fundraising Activities

Dues, training events when applicable

Training and Professional Development Programs

The North Central Association is fortunate in that each individual state within the region provides quite extensive training programs for the District Employees within their states.  The NCADE is always looking to fill any gaps in training as they become evident.  Some training sessions are offered in conjunction with the Annual NACD Regional Meeting, which rotates to each state in the Region annually.  This has been met with mixed results.

Communications

The Communication network within the region relies upon 1-2 individuals from each state to convey information throughout their state as provided by the Regional Representatives and Board Members.

We’ve been quite successful in sharing position openings within the Region by each state rep sending them to the president, and they then distribute the postings regionally.

Training and professional development opportunities will also be shared as they arise in the future.

States in the Region

Illinois             Indiana                        Iowa            Michigan Minnesota        Missouri                       Ohio            Wisconsin

State Employee Association Activities

ILLINOIS – Josh Joseph and Annyce Winters – Co-Chairs

  • Winter training 2005 was well attended and a good start for the 2006 board.
  • 2006 Membership survey polled membership on a number of issues.  This helped the ISWCDEA to develop goals for the year including improving communications, assisting to get financial stability for districts and implementation of TTF and Employee Education.
  • Josh Gray, son of an AC for White Co. SWCD awarded $500 scholarship.
  • Thad Ishleman and Cindy Moon were recognized as outstanding District Employees.
  • Held another successful raffle and brought back shirt sale to raise funds for State Association.
  • Were presented nearly $600 in proceeds from AISWCD live auction.
  • Membership at 194 members for 2006
  • Donated $1,000 to the IL Envirothon.
  • Throughout the year, numerous district employees continued to serve as advisors on national and state committees and task forces in support of our partners and to represent the interests of employees.
  • Member suggestions provide basis for training provided at both the summer and winter conference and training sessions.
  • The ISWCDEA board continues support of memberships in IAAP and CPESC and encourages all employees to receive certifications that will assist them in their jobs.

INDIANA  - Nathan Stoelting - President

  • Realignment - IDEA has decided to join the Association in their effort to realign the District regions.  Shortly after the Association’s business meeting January 19th, IDEA will meet to formally vote on the District realignment and also the changes that will be made to our by-laws due to the region change.
  • District Boot Camps - 137 people signed up for the 4 workshops, one boot camp was held in each of the four quadrants of the state.  The number of participants alone tells us this workshop was helpful.  The majority of participants were District employees; there were a few from ISDA and a few grant positions also attended.  The %5 change did not cover the expense of the workshop; however, IDEA feels this workshop was necessary and past due.  We are more than willing to cover the cost.  Another round of district boot camps has already started and will continue in 2007.
  • Fall Workshop - The Indiana District Employee Association held their annual Fall Workshop on October 23rd and 24th in Indianapolis.  There was a lot of good instruction and information over the two days.  Nearly 70 individuals attended the conference. 
  • Annual Conference - IDEA volunteered to work at the registration desk as well as to serve as greeters at the Annual Conference.  IDEA was well represented at the conference.  IDEA also had a booth at the conference.  IDEA also sponsored and recognized employees at the conference who have put in years of service or were awarded an employee of the year award. 

IOWA
No Report

MICHIGAN – Stacey Kautz - President

  • Contracted with a Human Resource Consultant who deals specifically with employee concerns.
  • Put Districts in contact with an AFLAC agent for a group rate on Short Term Disability policies.
  • Continued updating on the employees manual.
  • Completed a successful silent and live auction at our state annual convention bringing approximately $3,000 to the association.
  • Presented 2 Employee of the Year awards.
  • Sponsored a Meet ‘n’ Greet during our Annual Convention for employees new and old.
  • Distributed MACDE fliers with mints on the pillows to all attendees of the convention.
  • Sponsored the state poster contest.
  • Gave 2 training scholarships for in-state training.
  • Presented 21 “Years of Service Awards” including 3 for 15 years, 1 for 20 years, 2 for 25 years and one, special recognition for our state administrative assistant for 38 years.

MINNESOTA – Brian Watson- President

  • The Board of Directors met five times to plan the annual conference, establish training policy and discussed opportunities.
  • Held annual District Employee meeting and conference in June with 100 participants.
  • Provided $300 scholarships for Area employee training events.
  • Provided $200 scholarships to members participating in Leadership Program sponsored by State Association and NRCS.
  • Improved web site to provide job vacancy announcements and general information.
  • Held general raffle to raise funds for general operating costs.

MISSOURI – Ben Reed - President

  • In August, Missouri citizens approved a renewal of the one tenth of on percent Parks and Soils sales tax with a ten-year sunset clause. 
  • The tax proceeds are divided equally between state parks and soil and water conservation. 
  • The program has been so successful that this will be the fourth time Missouri citizens have passed this funding. 
  • In addition to administrative costs, this tax revenue generate approximately 20-25 million dollars annually to be utilized in a cost share program addressing statewide erosion control and water quality issues. 
  • The Missouri District Employees Association served on and made a $5,000 contribution to the Missouri Citizens Committee in the effort to promote the tax renewal of this tax.
  • Missouri continues to have an excessive district employee turnover rate due to increasing health insurance costs and insufficient funds for salaries.  Representatives of the Missouri Soil land Water Conservation District Employee Association and Missouri Association Soil and Water Conservation Districts are currently working with legislators to resolve this funding issue for dist5rict operations.
  • The MSWDEA continues to sponsor length of service awards, (next year there will be 6 employees with 35 years of service), area and state awards for outstanding  job performance, a quarterly statewide news letter and eight scholarships for continued education.
  • Funds for activities are generated through membership (300 employees) and associate membership dues (150 supervisor and NRCS employees), a trade show, raffle, and a silent auction.

OHIO – Van Slack - President

  • Partnered with Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Soil & Water and the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts to plan, develop, and implement an Administrative Assistants Development Program for district employees.  Two levels were developed with the first class having 30 participants.
  • Participated in the District Professional and Board Member awards Program
  • Two Ohio Board Members attended the National Leadership Conference in Nashville.
  • Assisted with coordinating and facilitating North Central NACD meeting in Cleveland.
  • Catalyst for Urban Training for District Employees.
  • Participated in the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Strategic Plan.
  • Regular attendance at State Technical Committee, Federation Directors meeting, ODNR Program Specialist meetings, NRCS’s Civil Rights Committee, Federation’s Forestry Committee, Operations Committee, and Education Committee.
  • Awarded two scholarships of $500 for student scholarships and $300 for continuing educations scholarships for employees.
  • Asked for and received a flow chart from the Division of Soil and Water on handling agricultural pollution complaints.
  • Regularly on agendas at area meetings, and Federation Meetings.
  • 156 regular and associate members
  • Regularly plan, assist and facilitate All Employees meeting for District, Division, and NRCS staff.
  • Receive regular updates at Emoloyee Assocations Board meetings from, the Chief of the Division of Soil and Water, ODNR Administrators, and Federation officials.

WISCONSIN – Dale Hanson - President

  • Signed lobbying agreement with Wisconsin Land & Water Conservation Association to share lobbyist to address conservation related issues at the State Capitol. 
  • Employees Association has gained respect of state agencies and organizations and is often asked to have representation on many boards and task forces.
  • Relationship with State Association improving after shake-up of 2005.
  • Administrative Committee monitors and responds to all pertinent pending legislation on issues affecting Soil and Water Issues on the State Level.
  • Annual Scholarship Program continues with up to 3 $500 scholarships available every year.
  • Statewide list-serve has been working well to distribute information throughout the state to the different groups of employees.
  • WALCE has asked for audit of State Non-point program in effort to expose shortfall in funding to successfully implement program
  • Districts utilizing unique funding strategies for staff funding including service fees, ag-acreage special assessments, permit fees, etc.

Greg Baneck
Outagamie County Land Conservation Dept.
Appleton, WI

2006 NCDEA Regional Reports Index