Strategic Plan. Of the. Rocky River Watershed Council (RRWC)

Transcription

1 Strategic Plan Of the Rocky River Watershed Council (RRWC) For -2009

2 Table of Contents Introduction by the Chair of the Council Page 2 Mission, Vision, and Values...Page 3 Organizational History and Profile.Page 4 Summary of Core Strategies...Page 5 Strategies, Goals, and Objectives Page 6 Appendix A. Annual Operating Plan for..page 7 Appendix B. Standard Duties of All Board Members.Page 11 Appendix C. Duties of Standing Committees..Page 12 1

3 Introduction by the Chair of the Council On behalf of the Strategic Planning Committee of the Rocky River Watershed Council (RRWC), it is my honor to introduce the strategic planning document that is enclosed in the following pages. The Strategic Planning Committee looked closely at the Council s strengths and vulnerabilities and developed this strategic plan. The plan focuses our efforts on the following five core strategies: 1) Structure the Council to meaningfully engage all Council members and volunteers. 2) Engage stakeholders to sustain their interests in support RRWC. 3) Create a development plan to sustain the organization. 4) Advocate the goals of the Watershed Action Plan to local government and communities. 5) Collaborate with partners to implement the Watershed Action Plan. The strategic plan contains a summary of these core strategies, along with related goals and objectives. The Committee also revisited our mission and vision statements, and brought them up to date with an emphasis on collaboration with our network of stakeholders. Appendix A is an annual operating plan for. We will have to revisit the operating plan before the end of in order to update it for The Strategic Planning Committee also decided to offer the board a list of standard duties for all board members and list of committees along the duties of each committee. This information is in Appendices B and C. This plan is the culmination of six months of intensive work by the Committee. During that period, they conducted 15 two-hour meetings. The Committee, comprised of six Council members and an outside facilitator, worked hard to make this document a reality. Foremost in their minds throughout their deliberations was the need to help the council preserve, protect, and restore the Rocky River watershed. Here are the people who served on the Committee: George Remias, Chair Kathleen Bradley Donna Childs Elva Edger Mark Kolesar John Watkins Tom Romito, Facilitator Thank you for your interest in RRWC. With the help of every Council member, we will make this strategic plan a living document to guide the future of the Council. Sincerely, Steve Hambley, Chair of RRWC 2

4 Mission, Vision, and Values Mission Statement The mission of the Rocky River Watershed Council is to protect, restore, and perpetuate a healthy watershed through public education, watershed planning, communication, and cooperation among stakeholders. Our slogan is Preserve, Protect, and Restore. Vision Statement The Rocky River Watershed Council and its network of stakeholders share the vision that a healthy watershed benefits everyone. Through our specific knowledge about problems in the watershed that need to be remedied, we motivate this network to plan, implement, and maintain a healthy watershed in perpetuity. A consistent land-use plan makes it possible for everyone in the watershed to enjoy enhanced quality of life because there is less flooding, erosion, pollution, and habitat loss. Through our efforts to educate the community about the need to protect the watershed, find ways to improve it, and identify specific problems that need to be remedied, we make it everybody s business to improve the watershed, including its biodiversity, sustainability, and water quality. Values A healthy watershed is essential to clean water and quality of life. We value open discussion among our stakeholders. We share our vision with stakeholders, and it is essential that they all help implement the vision. 3

5 Organizational History and Profile History 2001 The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) received a Section 319 planning grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) to develop a watershed action plan and form the Rocky River Watershed Council (RRWC) RRWC was formed RRWC elected board members to the Council The Cuyahoga County Board of Health received a Section 319 implementation grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency focusing on watershed improvement goals listed in the watershed action plan RRWC conducted its first watershed cleanup RRWC held its first Watershed Festival OEPA endorsed RRWC s Watershed Action Plan Medina Soil and Water Conservation District received an Ohio-Lake Erie Commission grant for the Balanced Growth Initiative. RRWC was a partner on the application for this grant Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District received a grant from ODNR for a Watershed Coordinator. RRWC was a partner on the application for this grant and will receive services from the Watershed Coordinator RRWC underwent its first strategic planning process. Profile RRWC is comprised of a board of 14 trustees. The Council consists of 300 diverse members in the Rocky River watershed. 4

6 Summary of Core Strategies The following five overarching strategies will direct RRWC s efforts for the next three years. 1. Structure RRWC to meaningfully engage all Council members and volunteers. Our board has many strengths, including specific areas of expertise and influence in the community. However, the Council currently lacks structure and process. For instance, the committees function, but without the awareness of others on the Council. Therefore, the Council should create committees to do the work of the Council, provide resources these committees need, and educate all board members as to their duties. 2. Engage stakeholders to sustain their interests in supporting the RRWC. We need to do better in recruiting stakeholders (individuals, local government, businesses, and organizations) to support the Council. Overall annual attendance at our meetings can be significantly improved. We need a membership campaign to attract a wide variety of stake-holders. 3. Create a development plan to sustain the organization. We need to attain 501c(3) status in order to take advantage of major funding opportunities. We also need to develop an operating budget to sustain the organization, design programs to raise revenue, and identify programs we can sponsor to accomplish our mission. 4. Advocate the goals of the Watershed Action Plan to local government and communities. We will encourage local communities to fulfill their government-mandated requirements to protect the watershed. We must educate voters about protecting riparian corridors and wetlands, reducing pollution, and promoting wise land use planning. In this way, we can influence local government and communities to support the Watershed Action Plan on a regular basis. 5. Collaborate with partners to implement the Watershed Action Plan. The Council must engage in partnerships with other organizations to promote the health of the watershed. Now that we have an endorsed Watershed Action Plan, we must develop a plan to implement it. Accordingly, we must cultivate more partners and other stakeholders to identify specific areas for protection and restoration. 5

7 1) Structure RRWC to meaningfully engage all Council members and volunteers. Strategies, Goals, and Objectives Strategies Goals Objectives Create committees to do the work of RRWC. Educate all board members as to their duties. 2) Engage stakeholders to sustain their interests in supporting the RRWC. Design a calendar of events covering a broad range of subjects that will involve a wide variety of people. Engage eco-friendly businesses. Design and implement a membership campaign to attract a variety of stakeholders. Develop a list of duties for each committee. Solicit board members to staff the committees. Create a list of duties that apply to all board members. Review RRWC bylaws to identify conflicts with the strategic plan and recommend changes to bylaws accordingly. Identify eco-friendly businesses to recruit as members. Get stakeholders involved in projects in order to sustain their interest. Design a calendar of events to encourage participation. 3) Create a development plan to sustain the organization. Develop a three-year operating budget to sustain the organization. Design a fund-raising plan. Identify programs that RRWC will sponsor to accomplish its mission. Provide the resources committees need. Identify actual costs of running the organization in order to project a budget. Identify costs of desired resources to incorporate into a budget. Design a development plan to sustain the organization. Become a 501c(3) organization in order to acquire funding and become an independent organization. 6

8 Strategies Goals Objectives Protect riparian corridors and wetlands through voter advocacy. Encourage local government to pass ordinances that manage storm water. Collaborate with other entities to determine additional wise land use standards. Engage local government about RRWC. Address pollution reduction with local governments and communities. 4) Advocate the goals of the Watershed Action Plan to local government and communities. 5) Collaborate with partners to implement the Watershed Action Plan. Identify and engage partners that can be helpful in implementing the Watershed Action Plan. Cultivate partners for their particular contributions and help them fulfill their responsibilities with respect to the Watershed Action Plan. Educate voters on the benefits of protecting riparian corridors and wetlands. Influence local government officials on the benefits of protecting riparian corridors and wetlands. Remind Phase II communities to meet their EPA storm water requirements. Influence non-phase II communities to meet objectives similar to those of Phase II communities. Engage partners who are knowledgeable about wise land use standards in order to learn what these standards are. Share knowledge with all stakeholders about the benefits of wise land use. Assign the job of identifying partners to the right committees. Garner contributions from partners (funds, land, volunteers, presentations, and cooperation) in order to implement the Watershed Action Plan. Derive programs from the Watershed Action Plan that enable us to engage partners. 7

9 APPENDIX A Annual Operating Plan for RELATED STRATEGY 1) Structure RRWC to meaningfully engage all Council members and volunteers. 2) Engage stakeholders to sustain their interests in supporting the RRWC. RELATED OBJECTIVE Create a list of duties that apply to all board members. Create committees to do the work of RRWC. Develop a list of duties for each committee. Solicit board members to staff the committees. Review RRWC bylaws to identify conflicts with the strategic plan and recommend changes to bylaws. Identify ecofriendly businesses to recruit as members. Recruit other stakeholders as members ACTION STEP RESPONSIBILITY Suggest duties that apply to all board members. Suggest a list of committees to the board. Suggest duties for each committee. Ask the Executive committee to do this. Compare draft strategic plan to bylaws to identify and resolve conflicts. Find ecofriendly businesses to support projects and become members. Develop a membership campaign. Design a calendar of events to encourage stakeholder participation. 8 Strategic Planning Committee. Strategic Planning Committee. Strategic Planning Committee. Strategic Planning Committee. Strategic Planning Committee. Membership committee. Membership Committee and Development Committee TIME FRAME April 30, April 30, April 30, Once board has approved strategic plan. Before meeting with the Executive Committee. April 30, April 30, Publicity Committee April 30,

10 RELATED STRATEGY 3) Create a development plan to sustain the organization. RELATED OBJECTIVE Identify costs of desired resources to incorporate into a budget. Identify actual costs of running the organization. Design a development plan to sustain the organization. Obtain 501c(3) status in order to acquire funding and become an independent organization. ACTION STEP RESPONSIBILITY Identify what each committee needs in terms of funding. Develop a basic operating budget. Learn the basics of earned income (fundraising, grant proposal writing, bequests, planned giving, annual appeals, endowments). Research and take steps to gain 501c(3) status. Committee chairpersons. Finance committee (with input from the Strategic Planning Committee). Development committee. Council Chair should delegate this task to selected board members. TIME FRAME April 30, June 30.. April 30, April 30, 4) Advocate the goals of the Watershed Action Plan to local government and communities. Educate voters on the benefits of protecting riparian corridors and wetlands. Influence local government officials on the benefits of watershed action planning. Remind Phase II communities to meet their EPA requirements. Conduct forums on riparian and wetland protection at meetings of community organizations. Attend government committees and councils to promote land use standards and infrastructure improvements. Write to Phase II communities about their EPA requirements. Appropriate committees. Volunteers from RRWC. Ask the Council Chair to collaborate with other country commissioners on such a letter. As needed. Whenever possible. When possible. 9

11 RELATED STRATEGY RELATED OBJECTIVE Engage partners who are knowledgeable about wise land use standards in order to learn what these standards are. Address pollution reduction with local governments and communities. ACTION STEP RESPONSIBILITY Attend realtor and builder association meetings to talk about land use standards. Volunteers from RRWC. TIME FRAME When possible. 5) Collaborate with partners to implement the Watershed Action Plan. Assign the job of identifying partners to the right committees. Develop programs that enable us to engage partners. Seek help from partners and other stakeholders to implement projects. Make this a duty of certain committees. Identify projects that help implement the Watershed Action Plan. Ask partners for resources (funds, land, volunteers, presentations, etc.) to support the projects we have chosen. Strategic Planning Committee. Appropriate committees. Appropriate committees. April 30, As needed. As needed. 10

12 APPENDIX B Standard Duties of All Board Members In order to accomplish the first strategy, Structure RRWC to meaningfully engage all Council members and volunteers, the Strategic Plan suggests educating all members and volunteers as to their duties. Accordingly, here is a list of standard duties that all board members should fulfill: Attend meetings of the board. Serve on at least one committee. Attend meetings of committees on which they serve. Participate in at least one RRWC-sponsored event each year. Recruit organizations and individuals for RRWC membership. 11

13 APPENDIX C Duties of Standing Committees In order to further accomplish the first strategy, the Strategic Plan advocates the creation of a number of standing committees to do the work of the council. The following tabs contain these committees and their duties: Tab 1: Executive Committee Tab 2: Finance Committee Tab 3: Public Involvement and Public Education Committee Tab 4: Membership Committee Tab 5: Publicity Committee Tab 6: Conservation and Restoration Committee Tab 7: Development Committee Tab 8: Volunteer Committee 12

14 TAB 1 to APPENDIX C Executive Committee Duties Ensure that bylaws exist, are updated, and are enforced. Ensure that committee heads and officers know their duties. Hold committee heads and officers accountable for their duties. Keep the Council focused on accomplishing the annual operating plan. Ensure that the council spends its money in accordance with its strategic goals and objectives. 13

15 TAB 2 to APPENDIX C Finance Committee Duties Membership of committee includes: Chair (a board member), RRWC treasurer, chairs of ad hoc fund-raising activities, and a board member-at-large. Assess financial needs of RRWC. Propose an annual budget. Consult with Membership chair about dues. Encourage and assist all committees in writing grant proposals. Encourage and assist the Development Committee in planning fund-raising events. Report regularly to board of financial condition of RRWC. 14

16 TAB 3 to APPENDIX C Public Involvement and Public Education Committee Duties Develop educational materials for RRWC partners. Develop presentations for various audiences. Collaborate with partners to organize an annual watershed festival, cleanups, and other events. Organize field trips for RRWC. Network with other conservation groups in the watershed to work on quality of life issues (e.g., recreation, habitat conservation, pollution, etc.). Provide displays at community events. 15

17 TAB 4 to APPENDIX C Membership Committee Duties Track current and former members and their status. Keep records of meeting visitors for follow up on becoming members. Maintain database of member contact information. Develop materials to use in membership campaigns. Consult with the Finance Committee on who is not current on dues. 16

18 TAB 5 to APPENDIX C Publicity Committee Duties Publish quarterly newsletter. Coordinate with webmaster to keep web site up to date. Develop press releases for local media outlets. Schedule interviews with NPR and PBS. Develop a speakers bureau to make presentations. Develop a calendar of events to encourage stakeholder participation. Schedule road shows make presentations to various audiences. 17

19 TAB 6 to APPENDIX C Conservation and Restoration Committee Duties Identify critical areas in the watershed for potential project sites. Develop conservation easements and other riparian protection measures. Identify potential sites for restoration. Investigate reported compromises of watershed water quality and assist with water quality monitoring activities. 18

20 TAB 7 to APPENDIX C Development Committee Duties Identify donors. Recruit board members to approach donors. Research grant-giving institutions to find out what they will support. Write grant proposals (after proper training, study, and research). Serve as a resource on grant-writing to the other committees. Organize fund-raising efforts. Develop programs for annual appeals, bequests, planned giving, and endowments. 19

21 TAB 8 to APPENDIX C Volunteer Committee Duties Develop a form for contact information, skills, experience, and volunteer preferences for each RRWC member. Maintain a volunteer project list, to include skills needed and hours required. Coordinate training for volunteers to help with projects. Track volunteer hours. Generate appreciation certificates and awards. Develop a volunteer manual on training, conduct, reassignment, and termination. Develop a safety plan for project leaders on handling injuries, incidents, and other emergencies. Coordinate with the Membership Committee to find potential volunteers. 20