Education Focus Area Committee Minutes
December Quarterly Board
December 10, 2007 - Northfield Inn
Jerry Snodgrass, Chairman
Present: Absent:
Don Beisiegel Dale Jahraus
Paige Buck Duane Snow
Sue Davis Debbie Ruff
Valerie Kenner Charla Coombe
Terry Bogner John Maudlin
Marty McManus
Jim Nelson
Rollie Spaniol
Jerry Snodgrass
Jim Todd
Josh Joseph
Dwayne Proctor
Stacy Stremsterfer
Chairman Jerry Snodgrass called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
Roll call was completed and introductions were done for those present.
Approval of Agenda
Agenda was approved with the addition of NACD urban conservation inventory under new business and local workgroups under NRCS Report.
Approval of Minutes
Don Beisiegel made a motion to approve the September Quarterly Board Education Focus Area Committee Minutes, seconded by Dwayne Proctor, MCVV.
INDR Report
Valerie Kenner reported that INDR now has podcasts available through the I-tunes store and are adding smart board activities to their website. The IL Biodiversity Field Trip grant deadline is January 31st which is a $500 grant available to teachers. IDNR is also planning to have Earth Day at the Parks at twenty-five state parks across Illinois.
IDOA
Marty McManus reported information will be going out to SWCDs to gather data for the Illinois Conservation Partnership Annual Report. He’s region is also piloting a regional Chairmen meetings which will be held on January 3rd. If the meetings deems valuable they will be implemented across the state.
NRCS
Paige Buck reported Bill Grade returned back from Washington D.C. and stated the CSP was moving ahead in the Lower Cache. Packets were passed out concerning Local Workgroups. Discussion was held on how we could help SWCDs get these meetings accomplished at the local level throughout Illinois. Motion made by Dwayne Proctor and seconded by Don Beisiegel for Paige Buck, Joe Bybee and Stacy Stremsterfer to form a letter from their agencies to the SWCDs concerning the importance of completing local workgroup meetings. MCVV.
Director Training
Stacy Stremsterfer reported that the AISWCD is currently working with IDOA to get new director training setup for the upcoming year.
Envirothon Taskforce Update
Terry Bogner reported that a taskforce meeting was held on November 6th that addressed the insurance/liability questions, IL Envirothon Rules and Regulations, and newly developed policies. Stacy Stremsterfer asked how the group felt about sending out letters to SWCDs for sponsorships to the Envirothon program; seeing how SWCDs still to this date have not heard anything concerning their allocations. It was noted that last years sponsorships’ from SWCDs totaled $4,100. All funds raised go straight to the Envirothon program and do not pay any salary for the coordinator position. Motion made by Rollie Spaniol and seconded by Terry Bogner to send out letters to SWCD asking for donations to the Illinois Envirothon program if they are able. MCVV. Josh Joseph stated that after discussion at their ISWCDEA meeting, they will be giving $500 to the program. There was discussion held concerning corporate sponsorships for the Illinois Envirothon. It was also reported that there will be 3 regional meetings for Land Use Council Contacts to attend to receive new resource material and to go over information the winning team needs to compete at the Illinois Envirothon.
Water Use Taskforce Update
Jim Nelson stated this taskforce was formed to address Resolution 2007-2. He attended the LUC 16 meeting (December 6th) and had a brainstorming session with them since they sponsored the resolution. The ideas from the session were discussed.
Review McKibben & Teacher of the Year
The group decided there would be no changes made to the applications. Don Beisiegel, Josh Joseph, Rollie Spaniol and Paige Buck volunteered to serve on a committee to review the McKibben Scholarships in May. Discussion was held on how to gain more interest in the scholarship.
2008 Soil Stewardship
More information on this year’s theme “Water is Life” can be found on NACD’s website and everyone needs to work on promoting this in their SWCD.
New Business
Discussion was held on what information the group would like to have included in the ad for the 2008 Legislative Roster issue of the Illinois Issues magazine. Motion by Dwayne Proctor and seconded by Terry Bogner to tie water quality/quantity into the ad for the 2008 Legislative Roster, AISWCD legislative day, Ag Legislative Day and general session for summer conference. MCVV. A sheet was passed around with ideas for sessions at summer conference. A session on workgroups was suggested but might be too late to be effective.
Old Business
Jim Nelson updated the group on the Grand Victoria grant the AISWCD has received to update the Illinois Urban Manual.
Adjournment
Don Beisiegel made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Rollie Spaniol, MCVV.
Minutes taken by Sue Davis, typed by Stacy Stremsterfer.