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FLORIDA DISTRICTS • Districts are made up of five elected members a nonpartisan board of supervisors. • Supervisors volunteer their services as elected unpaid Supervisors. • Florida Districts are non-taxing. • Districts are supported by maintaining relationships and partnerships with organizations, government agencies, receiving voluntary contributions and fundraising.
NEW SUPERVISORS • Terms: • Elected- every 4 years with the term beginning on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January. • Appointed- Begin serving the remaining term of the Supervisor being replaced until the general election. The Supervisor’s term ends on election day if not elected. • When a Supervisor is appointed the Supervisor is elected only to fulfill the rest of the vacant 4 year term. • Reasons for vacancies include: resignation, death, lack of candidates
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THE PURPOSE OF A SWCD • To provide assistance, guidance, and education to landowners, land occupiers, the agricultural industry and the general public in implementing land and water protection practices. • The Legislature intends for Soil and Water Conservation Districts to work in conjunction with Federal, State and local agencies in all matters to implement the provisions of Chapter 582.
BENEFITS OF HAVING A SWCD • Public Education and outreach. • Promote funding from partners such as NRCS, FDACS and Water Management Districts. • Assisting partners with various programs. • Districts also help landowners/operators and communities keep their natural resources healthy and productive. • Districts serve as the link between communities and federal, state and local government polices and programs and the people they represent.
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SWCD PARTNERSHIPS • The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Office of Agriculture Water Policy administers the soil and water conservation programs assigned to it by the Legislature under the Soil and Water Conservation Law, Chapter 582, Florida Statutes. FDACS has field staff located around the state who work directly with the Districts as their FDACS liaisons. • Conservation Districts have had a long standing partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The NRCS District Conservationists are responsible for all NRCS activities within their assigned SWCD. They also furnish technical guidance to the SWCD Supervisors.
ADDITIONAL PARTNERSHIPS • Water Managements Districts. Partnering with Water Management Districts has potential for cost share programs, water supply concerns and water quality issues. • Association of Florida Conservation Districts. SWCD Boards have requirements under the Statutes that must be complied with. AFCD helps keep Districts in Compliance with these requirements. AFCD serves as a central information point for changes to rules and regulations. AFCD serves as a liaison to partnering agencies. AFCD assists all Districts with no staff and offers additional assistance to District staff.
SUPPORT STAFF • District Employees are responsible for much of the implementation of local District programs, at the direction of their Boards. • Most Districts in Florida have staff. Florida Conservation District Employees Association • District Employees are encouraged to join the FCDEA with support of their Boards. • FCDEA is supported by the annual membership fee of $10. • FCDEA offers training opportunities and information sharing. • FCDEA offers networking and connection to other state associations through involvement with the Southeast Conservation District Employees Association.
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WEBSITE REQUIREMENTS New website Requirements for all Special Districts as of October 1, 2015. • All independent special districts must maintain a separate website. • All dependent special districts must be displayed on the homepage of its local governing authority’s website, or maintain a separate page. Additional information can be found at: FloridaJobs.org/SpecialDistricts, FloridaJobs.org/OfficialList or FloridaJobs.org/SpecialDistrictHandbook. • Jack Gaskins, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Jack.Gaskins@DEO.MyFlorida.com or (850) 717-8430.
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FUNDING SOURCES • Board of County Commissioners: Budget, District Employee • USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Services: Grant, In-Kind Contributions. • Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Contracts. • Private grant funding • Donations • Fundraising
FUN WAYS TO FUNDRAISE • Souvenir cup at an open bar during an event (with SWCD logo) • Pottery or Art Raffle • Silent and live auctions • Golf tournaments • Poker Runs (Motorcycles or Boats) • 5K Runs • Gun raffle http://www.nacdnet.org/resources/guides/fundraising/fun_ways_to_fundraise.pdf
SELLING ITEMS FOR YOUR DISTRICT • Wildflower seeds • Rain Barrels • Bird Boxes • Duck Boxes • Bat Houses • Trees/Plants • Wildlife planting mixes
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AFCD EXECUTIVE BOARD • Archie Matthews, President (Alachua SWCD) • Burlin Findley, 1 st Vice President (Blackwater SWCD) • Scott Wynn, 2 nd Vice President (Hamilton SWCD) • Pam Fentress, Secretary Treasurer (Highlands SWCD) • Linda Minton, Past President (St. Lucie SWCD) • William Howell, Area 1 VP (Leon SWCD) • Eric Rollings, Area 3 VP (Orange SWCD) • Fred Segal, Area 4 VP (Broward SWCD)
AFCD CONTACT INFORMATION The State Organization was named Association of Florida Conservation Districts and was reorganized in 2004. Contact information for AFCD is as follows: • Charlene Richburg, State Coordinator • AFCD Website: www.afcd.us • Phone Number: (352) 682-2894 • Email: Charlene@afcd.us • Mailing address: P.O. Box 1763, Chiefland, FL 32644
ADDITIONAL AFCD ASSISTANCE • As a SWCD Board there are requirements under the Statutes that must be complied with. AFCD helps keep Districts in Compliance with these requirements. • AFCD has helped to bring Districts back into Compliance. • AFCD serves as a central information point for changes to rules and laws. • AFCD serves as a liaison to other agencies such as NRCS, FDACS, Office of Ag Water Policy, Water Management Districts and the Commissioner’s Office.
AFCD ANNUAL MEETING Supervisor Training JULY 29 & 30, 2016 Guest Speakers District Share Fair OCALA HILTON Partner Reports
QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS Contact: Charlene Richburg, State Coordinator at: PRESENTATION ??? Charlene@afcd.us or (352)682- 2894
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