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Update from the
National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils –
October 18, 2006
To keep member councils
apprised of National Association activities, a monthly update will be
provided via e-mail to state and regional president’s, on our website and
to our Listserv. Please feel free to circulate to your council members.
Any questions regarding information in this newsletter should be directed
to Roberta Jeanquart, NARC&DC Executive Director at
robertaj@sso.org
or 202 434-4780.
NARC&DC Board
Activities – A
Teleconference was held with State Leaders on September 28. A summary of
the discussion is listed at the end of this report. In September
President Ruggi met with USDA NRCS Chief Lancaster on RC&D issues. She
discussed RC&D issues from the budget to enhancing RC&D standing within
NRCS. President Ruggi also met with Undersecretary Mark Rey. Topics
discussed ranged from the RC&D budget to RC&D’s role in fostering fuels
for schools across the Nation. President also made a number of visits
with key Congressional staffers to discuss RC&D priorities for
appropriations and Farm Bill.
Advancing Renewable
Energy Conference:
President Sharon Ruggi, Energy Committee Chairman Gary Freeman and
Director of Programs Andrew Gordon, from the National Association of RC&D
Councils, attended a two-day conference on advancing renewable energy
sources. The USDA/DOE conference brought together leaders from all
sectors of American life from the government, business, and
not-for-profits organizations. The conference included many notable
speakers from USDA Secretary Mike Johanns to President and CEO of John
Deere & Company, Robert Lane. The conference addressed the creation and
strengthening of partnerships and strategies, which are imperative in an
effort to accelerate conservation, reduce dependence on fossil fuels while
advancing clean, homegrown, renewable energy.
The conference can best
be summed up by USDA Secretary Mike Johanns when he stated that “This is a
new era for America's farmers, ranchers and rural communities as they
seize this moment where opportunity meets need, and where American
ingenuity breaks a century long addiction to oil."
The conference wrapped
with a keynote address by President George W. Bush calling the conference
"a meeting of pioneers." The President told the attendees that the U.S.
was too dependent on foreign oil. He went on to say that he felt it was a
wise use of taxpayer dollars to fund research in renewable energy
sources. The President touted such renewable energy resources such as:
ethanol, wind power, biodiesel, cellulosic ethanol, nuclear, hydrogen
fuels, solar power, and clean burning coal.
Legislative Update
– Congress is in recess for the campaign season. Action was not completed
on the annual appropriations bills prior to congressional adjournment. As
a result programs are funded with a continuing resolution through November
17. Congress will come back in session November 13 to deal with budget
issues but it is unlikely that budget issues will be resolved until
December, perhaps even later.
What does this mean for
RC&D? The program remains funded at last year’s level of $50,787,000
until a final bill is passed. AND it gives us more time to make the case
for additional funding for the RC&D program. As many of you know, this
program has been level funded for 4 years now and we are seeking $56
million. Keep on writing those letters and contacting members of congress
to ask their support of the higher funding level. Revised legislative
material will be on our website that can help you make the case.
President’s budget
request: $26,000,000
Current funding
level: $50,787,000
House passed
level: $50,787,000
Senate Committee passed
level: $50,787,000
NARC&DC
request: $56,000,000
Please continue your
contacts with your Members of Congress and keep them advised that we need
$56 million for RC&D.
Council mailings:
In September each
Council received information on the Conservation Partnership’s Leadership
Conference and associated stipends.
In October you will be
receiving a dual mailing consisting of information on Increasing Council
and Customer Diversity with draft recruitment and outreach publications
provided. The material provided includes templates for developing a
diversity recruitment plan, a customer outreach plan, and a reference
document with 25 fact sheets. The second part of the mailing will include
information on the National Associations Grant Research Center and an
opportunity to purchase a subscription to the GrantStation at a reduced
rate.
Council Dues
– Please watch for a member packet
which will be mailed to all fully paid councils. This packet highlights
the programs and services available to your council as a result of being a
member in good standing.
NARC&DC appreciates the
support of its member councils. Keep in mind that your dues represent our
only source of funds for our lobbying activities. In 2007 we will have
the dual task of dealing with RC&D budget issues and also with Farm bill
issues for the RC&D program.
Calendar of
Events:
The NARC&DC is
scheduled to provide training at the upcoming Pac-Rim Regional meeting on
the following topics: Area Planning Cooking Up a Recipe for Success;
Contract Basics, Know Your Rights and Your Risks; External Communications,
Marketing Your Council; and Working With Tribes, a First Step.
The NARC&DC President
will attend the New England regional meeting next week in Vermont.
Cooperative
Conservation Partnership Leadership Training Conference:
In an effort to help Councils building strong leaders and organizations to
more effectively deliver conservation programs the National Association
will be co-hosting the Cooperative Conservation Partnership Leadership
Training Conference in Nashville, TN on November 28-30, 2006. Each member
of your State Executive Committee should have received an invite. We
have 50 stipends available to offset the cost of attending this
conference. The deadline for applications is October 27.
Farm Energy Audit
Conference: On
December 13, 2006 in Annapolis, MD, the National Association will be
hosting its first in a series of conferences on Energy Conservation
Opportunities on the Farm. The second conference will be held on January
17 & 18 in Huntsville, AL. More information will be posted on the
website.
2007 NARC&DC
Leadership Forum:
On February 26-28, 2007 the
National Association will be hosting its annual Leadership Forum at the
Holiday Inn on the Hill in Washington, D.C. More information on this
Forum will be posted to the website and sent to each Council in
November.
Awards: Award Nominees
are due from the Regional Presidents to the National Office of the NARC&DC
by Nov. 1, 2006. The Judging shall commence on November 15,
2006, and awards will be presented during the 2007 Leadership Forum.
State Leaders
Teleconference:
NARC&DC
held a teleconference with state leaders on September 28, 2006.
The purpose was to reach out to state leaders and keep them apprised of
National Association activities. State Leaders were asked to convey the
messages to those within their state. Teleconferences with state leaders
will take place quarterly. A summary of the teleconference follows:
APPROPRIATIONS AND
FUNDING: State
leaders were encouraged to continue making the case for $56 million dollar
funding level for the RC&D program. The House passed funding level and
the Senate committee passed funding level is $50 million. Congress will be
back in session the week of November 13 to continue action on
appropriations bills; however the process is likely to go into December.
Councils have faced
four years of level funding which has resulted in:
1)
Coordinators working part time with RC&D and part time on other NRCS
programs;
2)
Program
assistant positions are being reduced or eliminated; and
3)
Councils are being asked to move to service centers.
State Leaders and all
Councils are asked to inform their Members of Congress the impact this
pinch is having at the local level.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
PLAN:
State leaders were also informed about the need for a dual legislative
action plan in 2007:
1)
Funding
for RC&D in appropriations; and
2)
The
2007 Farm Bill.
State leaders were
asked build a database of key legislative contacts for RC&D in each state.
Each state was asked to forward at least one key legislative contact to
the National Office who can help get the word out.
NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES:
The State Leaders
were also informed about the upcoming Cooperative Conservation Leadership
Training Conference scheduled for November 29, 30 in Nashville Tennessee
and the NARC&DC
annual
NARC&DC Leadership Forum February 26-28, 2007 in Washington DC at the
Holiday Inn on the Hill.
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