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2003 Council Development Workshop
Agenda & Notes

Kansas City, MO
November 3-5, 2003

Printable Version

Design Principles

  • Rely on Council experience to inform content.
  • Rely on in-house assets to deliver.
  • Maximize time dedicated to small group work and one-on-one consultation.

Goal
Enhance SRDC capacity to meet the requirements of the 2002 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act, by achieving understanding of the key principles and practices of strategic planning, outcome-based work planning, Council Board development, and fund development.

Themes to be Addressed

  • How do we choose "strategic roles" for our Councils? How do we identify and measure the outcomes of working in these roles?
  • How do we do our work effectively (outcome oriented) at the intersection of programs and policies? How do we gather, analyze and use information about issues and needs to build a state level "rural agenda" at this intersection?
  • Self-Assessment: How do we work together as a State Council? As a Governing Board? How do we assess our processes and performance as a Council?
  • How do we successfully market our Councils in order to expand and diversify its funding base, while maintaining our independence and working in concert with our partners?
  • How do we work together as a National Partnership? What are our shared values and goals?
  • How do we move the Council Training and Development effort forward, beyond this November 3-5 workshop?

Monday, November 3

8:30 AM Welcome, Introductions, Workshop Goals & Agenda Overview (PDF)
Mary Randolph, NRDP Executive Board Chair
Dave Sears, Director, National Partnership Office (Powerpoint)
Luis Luna, Deputy Adminstrator, Office of Community Development
Jolinda LaClair, State RD Director for VT & NH
Kirby Edmonds, Facilitator
9:30 AM Defining & Establishing Strategic Council Roles within Your States
Panelists: Paul Costello-VT, Joe Whorton-GA, Marcie McLaughlin-MN, Mary Randolph-WY
Moderator: Dick Rubin-OK
10:45 AM Networking Break
11:15 AM Strategic Roles, cont'd
-Round table discussion
-Plenary discussion and summary
12:30 PM Lunch
2:00 PM Gathering, Analysis, & Use of Information in Building a Rural Agenda
-Two rounds of four concurrent sessions
  • Using surveys & other research tools to assess needs and track outcomes (Frank Garcia-SC) (Powerpoint 1, Powerpoint 2)
  • Policy panels and forums (Trish Kontur-ME)
  • Community Assessments (Cheryl Hinckley-TX) (Powerpoint 1, Powerpoint 2, Powerpoint 3)
  • Rural Summits (Scott Truman-UT)
    • 3:30 PM Networking Break
    4:00 PM Understanding Outcome-Based Work Plans
    -Introduction, discussion of sample work plans, and comments on "Guidance for preparing an SRDC Annual Work Plan" (Bob Ho, Facilitator) (Sample SC Work Plan, Sample VT Work Plan, Sample WI Work Plan)
    -Work Plan Working Session I: Review & improve components from draft FY04 work plans
    -Plenary report out and Q&A (Kirby Edmonds, Facilitator)
    -Monitoring & Documenting Results "Lessons & Best Practices"

    Tuesday, November 4

    8:30 AM Outcome-Based Work Plans, cont'd
    -Plenary: Defining, tracking, communicating expected outcomes (Kirby Edmonds, facilitator) (Powerpoint)
    -Work Plan Working Session II: Review and improve components of draft FY04 work plans
    10:00 AM Networking Break
    10:30 AM Board Development
    -Review/comment on Board Development "Lessons & Best Practices" (Bob Ho, Facilitator)
    -Two rounds of four concurrent sessions
  • Roles of Executive Director, Chair, & Executive Committee
    (Tom Guthrie-MI)
  • Recruiting, selecting, and maintaining an active Board
    (Linda Parquette-CT) (Powerpoint)
  • Board development activities (Holly Woelber-NM)
    (Powerpoint 1, Powerpoint 2)
  • Managing Transition (Steve Bittel-KS) (Handout 1, Handout 2, Handout 3)
    • 12:15 PM Lunch
    1:45 PM How Do We Assess How We Work Together As A Board?
    -Plenary discussion (Bob Ho, Facilitator)
    3:15 PM Networking Break
    3:45 PM How Do We Build Effective Councils & Suport Each Other Across the Country?
    -Strategic Planning Practicum (Kirby Edmonds, Facilitator) (TX Sample Strategic Plan)

    Wednesday, November 5

    8:00 AM Gaining & Maintaining Tribal Involvement
    -Plenary presentation and discussion (Larry Keown, Presenter)
    9:30 AM Networking Break
    9:45 AM Strengthening Our Partnerships: Three Concurrent Sessions
  • Strengthening the SRDC-State RD Director relationship (Jolinda LaClair-VT-NH RD)
  • Active engagement of higher education institutions (Joe Whorton-GA)
  • Gaining and maintaining the support of the private sector (Jerry Bertrand-RI) (Powerpoint 1, Powerpoint 2, Handout 1, Handout 2)
    • 11:00 AM NPO Briefing on Financial Reporting (Ella Ennis, NPO)
    11:20 AM Non-NPO Fund Development Lessons & Best Practices
    -Round table discussion of fund development principles and options
    -Review/comment on Fund Development "Lessons & Best Practices" (Bob Ho, Facilitator)
    12:30 PM Lunch
    1:30 PM Developing State-Level & Multi-State Marketing Strategies to Expand and Diversify SRDCs' Funding Bases
    -Plenary work session (Kirby Edmonds, Facilitator)
    3:30 PM Networking Break
    3:45 PM Update on FY04 Federal Funding for NRDP (Luis Luna, OCD)
    4:00 PM Workshop Evaluation & Closure
    4:30 PM Adjourn