Countryside Conservancy 2007 Annual Plan Introduction The Countryside Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to protecting lands and waters in and near the Tunkhannock Creek Watershed for the public benefit now, and for the future. This Annual Plan is designed to guide the work of the Countryside Conservancy during fiscal year 2007 (Jan. 1-Dec. 31). It is drawn from the Conservancy's 2007-09 Strategic Plan. Organization of this Plan The Conservancy's Strategic Plan has four major goals, stated in the form of desired outcomes: Conservation Goal: Land and water "hubs" of high conservation importance in and around the Tunkhannock Creek Watershed are identified and protected, and are connected by protected "spokes." Other open lands and waters meeting Conservancy criteria are protected as the opportunity arises. Financial Goal: The Conservancy marks steady growth in financial assets to support its operations and programs. Human Resources and Organization Goal: The Conservancy is a well-run organization with a diverse and dynamic board, well trained staff, and engaged core of volunteers. Community Connections Goal: The Conservancy is an active participant in land use discussions for the benefit of the community. The following pages outline strategies and corresponding activities to be taken in 2007 to promote each of these goals. The plan identifies responsible parties for each task. This plan will be the source of annual workplans for each committee and staff member of the Conservancy. The plan will be reviewed at year end, using the "Results" field, to assess our performance, to guide us in assembling the 2008 Annual Plan, and to help us amend and update the Strategic Plan. Acknowledgements The Countryside Conservancy acknowledges the efforts of its Board and staff members who contributed to the development of this plan; the contributions of consultant Marc Smiley, who worked with the Conservancy during and after the 2006 Retreat; and especially the support of the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association, which kindly provided financial support for the production of this plan, the Strategic Plan for 2007-09, and the 2007-09 Fundraising Plan. Abbreviations "ED": Executive Director "LM&S Committee": Land Management & Stewardship Committee "L&WP Committee": Land & Water Protection Committee "PM": Program Manager Conservation Goal Strategy 1: Identify land and water "spokes" and "hubs" of highest conservation importance and protect them. Activities: +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Develop a Conservation Plan for the Tunkhannock Creek Watershed that | | identifies and ranks high priority lands for conservation | | | | Responsible party: Working group under L&WP Committee. Results: | | __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Obtain tax maps, aerial photography and digitized data to identify key | | lands and waters and their owners | | | | Responsible party: Land staff. Results: __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Select priority sites and proactively approach individual landowners | | about protecting their lands; start discussions | | | | Responsible party: Land staff and members of L&WP Committee Results: | | __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Review progress on Trolley Trail from Clarks Summit to Lake Winola, | | and prioritize individual segments to pursue | | | | Responsible party: L&WP Committee with staff support Results: | | __________ | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Strategy 2: Continue to work to protect other lands and waters as opportunities arise. Activities: +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Review LTA Standards and Practices relating to land project || | management, assess Conservancy's compliance. || | || | Responsible party: Land staff supported by PM Results: __________ || |-----------------------------------------------------------------------|| | Review open land files and update information, contact landowners to || | assess whether they remain interested; cull certified "dead" land || | projects. || | || | Responsible party: Land staff Results: __________ || |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Respond to and work with landowners who contact the Conservancy | | independently (ongoing) | | | | Responsible party: Land staff supported by L&WP Committee Results: | | __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Assess progress on ongoing land projects; close new projects as | | rapidly as feasible (ongoing) | | | | Responsible party: Land staff supported by L&WP Committee Results: | | __________ | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Strategy 3: Continue improving stewardship of lands and waters owned by the Conservancy, and monitoring and defense of the Conservancy's easements. Activities: +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Review closed land files for missing or incomplete information, such || | as project approval documents; fill in any gaps || | || | Responsible party: Land staff Results: __________ || |-----------------------------------------------------------------------|| | Develop policy on acceptance of lands donated to the Conservancy, || | including associated stewardship contributions || | || | Responsible party: L&WP Committee supported by land staff Results: || | __________ || |-----------------------------------------------------------------------|| | Complete posting and signage of Conservancy preserves; discuss with || | landowners and create an easement-signage program || | || | Responsible party: Land staff supported by LM&S Committee Results: || | __________ || |-----------------------------------------------------------------------|| | Meet with landowners to develop and implement easement-signage || | program || | || | Responsible party: Land staff and LM&S Committee Results: __________ || |-----------------------------------------------------------------------|| | Develop and implement policy on communicating with easement || | landowners and easement neighbors || | || | Responsible party: L&WP Committee Results: __________ || |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Monitor all easements held by the Conservancy at least once per year | | (ongoing) | | | | Responsible party: Land staff Results: __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Review management plans for all Conservancy-owned properties annually, | | develop annual work plans and implement (ongoing) | | | | Responsible party: Land staff supported by LM&S Committee Results: | | __________ | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Strategy 4: Advocate for better laws, policies and planning to support land and water conservation in the region. Activities: +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Communicate with county authorities about valuation of properties || | under conservation easements and agricultural easements || | || | Responsible party: L&WP Committee Results: __________ || |-----------------------------------------------------------------------|| | Be an advocate in all three counties for lower property taxes on || | lands under conservation easement || | || | Responsible party: ED and Board Results: __________ || |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Support important initiatives of the LTA and PALTA with letters to | | legislators, newspaper pieces, etc. (ongoing) | | | | Responsible party: ED and Board Results: __________ | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Financial Goal Strategy 1: Manage the Conservancy's financial assets appropriately to meet the objectives of this Plan. Activities: +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Review LTA Standards and Practices relating to financial management, || | assess Conservancy's compliance || | || | Responsible party: Board supported by PM Results: __________ || |-----------------------------------------------------------------------|| | Create an Investment Committee and develop an investment policy for || | funds held by the Conservancy || | || | Responsible party: Finance Committee Results: __________ || |-----------------------------------------------------------------------|| | Review assets in land & easement stewardship funds, and adequacy for || | long-term needs; make plans to address any shortfall. || | || | Responsible party: Finance Committee Results: __________ || |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Review and monitor financial policies for the sound fiscal management | | of the Conservancy (ongoing) | | | | Responsible party: Finance Committee supported by PM Results: | | __________ | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Strategy 2: Develop and implement a Fundraising Plan and policies to support the Conservancy in its Strategic Plan goals, strategies and actions. Activities: +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Develop 3-year Fundraising Plan to include plans for managing and | | growing funding sources including: major donors, membership, Auction, | | planned giving, endowments, and grants | | | | Responsible party: Working group appointed by Fundraising Committee | | Results: __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Create information packet on planned giving; distribute to individuals | | and estate planners | | | | Responsible party: ED supported by Fundraising Committee & Finance | | Committee | | | | Results: __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Troubleshoot and improve donor database to ensure it can store and | | deliver the information we need | | | | Responsible party: Staff, with consultant support as needed Results: | | __________ | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Strategy 3: Build Board and staff leadership and plan for leadership succession in fundraising. Activities: +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Provide staff training in fundraising. | | | | Responsible party: Staff/use outside consultant as needed Results: | | __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Train Board members in basic fundraising skills. | | | | Responsible party: Board/use outside consultant as needed Results: | | __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Add individuals with fundraising expertise to Board or Advisory Board. | | | | Responsible party: Board Results: __________ | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Strategy 4: Increase financial support from a wider community of individuals and businesses. Activities: +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Seek new members from cooperating non-profit organizations and other | | sources | | | | Responsible party: ED Results: __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Trial-run a joint event with a non-profit organization not directly | | competing with the Conservancy, to cross-fertilize membership | | | | Responsible party: Outreach Committee supported by staff Results: | | __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Review Conservancy database to identify overlooked individuals who | | should be approached for donations | | | | Responsible party: Fundraising Committee, staff Results: __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Develop list of businesses in the area to approach for financial | | contributions | | | | Responsible party: ED, Fundraising Committee, Advisory Board Results: | | __________ | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Strategy 5: Selectively seek and implement grants that fit into this Plan. Activities: +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Use Nonprofit Community Action Center & other local resources to || | identify new private and corporate foundations to approach || | || | Responsible party: ED Results: __________ || |-----------------------------------------------------------------------|| | Develop list of grant-fundable projects based on this Plan || | || | Responsible party: ED Results: __________ || |-----------------------------------------------------------------------|| | Get commitment from at least 2 foundations for multi-year challenge || | grants to build capacity || | || | Responsible party: ED and Executive Committee Results: __________ || |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Review open grants to ensure smooth and timely implementation, assess | | cost-effectiveness (ongoing) | | | | Responsible party: ED Results: __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Monitor state and Federal government grant programs that could support | | this Plan, pursue where appropriate (ongoing) | | | | Responsible party: ED, Fundraising Committee; consultant as needed | | Results: __________ | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Human Resources and Organization Goal Strategy 1: Enhance Board recruitment process, and establish a process to guide Board succession. Activities: +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Review diversity of Board membership, assess against diversity of the || | community we serve || | || | Responsible party: Board Development Committee Results: __________ || |-----------------------------------------------------------------------|| | Provide outreach and training to Advisory Board members || | || | Responsible party: Board Development Committee and ED Results: || | __________ || |-----------------------------------------------------------------------|| | Identify key skills needed on the Board, actively recruit Board || | prospects to fill these gaps || | || | Responsible party: Board Development Committee and staff Results: || | __________ || |-----------------------------------------------------------------------|| | Review LTA Standards and Practices for Board governance management, || | assess compliance; develop new policies and practices as needed || | || | Responsible party: PM and Board Development Committee Results: || | __________ || |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Review Conservancy bylaws and committee structure annually (ongoing) | | | | Responsible party: Board Development Committee (Michael Kane) Results: | | __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Send at least 2 Board members to LTA Rally or other relevant training | | each year (ongoing) | | | | Responsible party: Board Results: __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Identify and cultivate new Board prospects on a rolling basis | | (ongoing) | | | | Responsible party: Board and Advisory Board Results: __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Appoint Vice-Chairs for all committees to create line of succession | | for committee leadership. (ongoing) | | | | Responsible party: Board President supported by Board Development | | Committee | | | | Results: __________ | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Strategy 2: Enhance staff strengths in public communications, community visibility, land project management, office management, and bookkeeping. Activities: +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Review LTA Standards and Practices relating to staff, assess | | Conservancy's compliance; develop new policies and practices as needed | | (including Personnel Policy) | | | | Responsible party: ED and PM; Board Results: __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Provide staff training in Access software | | | | Responsible party: Staff Results: __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Add new staff member in 2007 to lead land project management | | | | Responsible party: ED Results: __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Send at least 1 staff member to LTA Rally, PALTA conference or other | | relevant training each year (ongoing) | | | | Responsible party: Staff Results: __________ | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Strategy 3: Establish a strong program for volunteer recruitment, management and recognition. Activities: +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Revive "Volunteer of the Year" award | | | | Responsible party: Outreach Committee Results: __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Appoint a Volunteer Coordinator to work with staff in recruiting, | | managing and thanking volunteers | | | | Responsible party: Outreach Committee/Board Results: __________ | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Strategy 4: Enhance organizational planning and achieve LTA accreditation. Activities: +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Review LTA Standards and Practices in preparation for applying for || | LTA accreditation. || | || | Responsible party: PM and Board Results: __________ || |-----------------------------------------------------------------------|| | Develop policies and procedures required by LTA Standards and || | Practices (example: Records Policy; policy on sale or transfer of || | land). || | || | Responsible party: Board supported by staff Results: __________ || |-----------------------------------------------------------------------|| | Review goals and functions of Watershed Coalition within the || | Conservancy. || | || | Responsible party: Board President and ED Results: __________ || |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Review this Plan in December each year and extend to cover an | | additional year. | | | | Responsible party: Board supported by staff Results: __________ | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Community Connections Goal Strategy 1: Improve public relations and outreach efforts in the community we serve. Activities: +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Expand website to include more Conservancy information and links; || | update monthly || | || | Responsible party: ED with consultant/volunteer support Results: || | __________ || |-----------------------------------------------------------------------|| | Establish Speaker's Bureau and schedule at least 4 public || | presentations before other local organizations each year || | || | Responsible party: Outreach Committee and ED Results: __________ || |-----------------------------------------------------------------------|| | Create a simple brochure for use with general public, and a more || | detailed one for use with landowners, grantmakers, etc. || | || | Responsible party: ED with working group of Outreach Committee || | Results: __________ || |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Set following year's calendar of public events before the end of the | | current year (ongoing) | | | | Responsible party: Outreach Committee and ED Results: __________ | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Strategy 2: Build relationships with local governments for support in land conservation and to help promote good planning. Activities: +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Obtain updated contact information for local government officials | | | | Responsible party: Administrative staff Results: __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Add key government officials and representatives at local, county and | | state levels to Conservancy event invitation lists | | | | Responsible party: Staff Results: __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Meet annually with each county's planning commission and board of | | commissioners, and with federal or state elected officials and | | representatives (ongoing) | | | | Responsible party: ED and Executive Committee Results: __________ | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Strategy 3: Assist and support other entities (governmental, non-profit, community) that are working to protect important lands and waters. Activities: +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Start a program of meeting at least twice yearly with County farmland | | preservation agents and conservation district managers | | | | Responsible party: ED, L&WP Committee chair Results: __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Start a program of meeting yearly with County commissioners and state | | legislators for the watershed area, to communicate our priorities and | | concerns | | | | Responsible party: Board Results: __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Meet or communicate at least once yearly with county and | | multi-municipal planning entities working in and around the watershed | | | | Responsible party: ED Results: __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Have a presence at key public meetings relating to land and water | | conservation in the watershed (ongoing) | | | | Responsible party: ED and Executive Committee Results: __________ | |------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Meet at least once a year with representatives of each land trust | | working in and around the watershed (ongoing) | | | | Responsible party: ED and Board Results: __________ | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ S:\Countryside\Strategic Plan\StrategicPlan07-09\AnnualPlan2007.doc last accessed 3/5/2007 Page 1 S:\Countryside\Board of Directors\Board retreats\2006\StrategicPlan07-09.doc last accessed3/5/2007 Page 2