SWCS CHAPTER NOTES

TO: SWCS Chapter Presidents

FROM: Jim Gulliford, Executive Director jim.gulliford@swcs.org 

DATE: February 11, 2011


1.  ELECTRONIC ELECTION
2.  ANNUAL CHAPTER ACTIVITY REPORT AND CHAPTER AWARDS DUE FEBRUARY 15TH - 



1.  The 2011 SWCS Board of Directors' election ballot is now online.  One of the most important benefits of membership in the Soil and Water Conservation Society is the responsibility to select members of the Board of Directors to lead your Society in the years ahead.  Please go to http://www.swcs.org/election to read the candidates biographical information, platform statement and cast your ballot. The voting process will take you one to two minutes.  You must vote by March 15th for your vote to count.


2.  ANNUAL CHAPTER ACTIVITY REPORT AND CHAPTER AWARDS DUE FEBRUARY 15TH. 

All chapters are required to submit the Annual Chapter Activity Reports by February 15.  

	

To learn more, go to:  http://www.swcs.org/en/members_only/chapter_reports_awards/

1.  Annual Chapter Activity Report must be completed by all chapters.  This is a two page form that contains several questions to show that the chapter is still active. 
2.  Outstanding Chapter Award - this award is to be filled out by any chapter wishing to be considered for the award.  This is a three-page form. 
3.  Chapter Achievement Award - this award is to be filled out by any chapter wishing to be considered for the award.  This is a two page form.  No chapter can be recognized more than once during a 10-year period for the same basic activity.            
4.  Sustained Performance Award - this award is to be filled out by any chapter wishing to be considered for the award.  This is a single page form.  No chapter can be recognized more than once during a 5-year period. (note that this is a recent change) 
5.  Professional Development Chapter Award - this award is to be filled out by any chapter wishing to be considered for the award.  This is a three page form.  A chapter must submit the Annual Chapter Activity Report. 

The Annual Chapter Activity Report is used to inform the SWCS Leadership Development Committee, the Board of Directors, and SWCS staff of your chapter's activities during the past calendar year.  A more important purpose is to be able to share activities among chapters. Please answer all questions applicable to your situation. Each chapter must complete this report. 


The other forms are the awards and recognition reports. These reports are for use by the Leadership Development Committee and the Board of Directors in our chapter awards program and to pass on success stories to other chapters. The Professional Development Award is used by the Professional Development Committee in their chapter award program. You are strongly encouraged to complete the applicable parts so your chapter can be appropriately recognized. 

Thank you! 

Rebecca Fletcher, Chair 
Leadership Development Committee

If you have any questions, please contact Rebecca Fletcher, Chair, Leadership Development Committee at: 1-800-440-7536, ext. 325 (work) or rebecca.fletcher@in.usda.gov. *Chapter Report Forms are due February 15.