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here for formatted .pdf file of the 2007 Cocopai Annual Plan of Work
Cocopai Resource Conservation & Development Area
Annual Plan of Work
2007
This Plan was approved and adopted at
an official meeting of the Executive Committee of the Cocopai Resource
Conservation and Development Area, Inc. on March 9, 2007
Approval
By: Fran Schumacher, President
Cocopai RC&D Council
U. S. Department of Agriculture –
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Agreed
David Mckay
State Conservationist
Natural Resources Conservation Service
The U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) and Cocopai Resource Conservation and Development Council prohibits
discrimination in all its Programs and activities on the basis of race,
color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs,
sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative
means for communication of program information (Braille, large print,
audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600
(voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA,
Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th
and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202)
720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an Equal Opportunity provider and
employer.
Mission
The Mission of the Cocopai Resource
Conservation and Development Area, Inc. (Cocopai RC&D) is: Provide local
leadership to address natural resource conservation issues through
cooperative efforts.
Vision
Create partnerships to meet the
challenges of economic and natural resource development that is
environmentally sensitive.
To achieve this mission, the RC&D
Sponsors, with assistance from local citizens and state and federal
agencies, have prepared this 2007 Annual Plan of Work. This document is
designed to be a flexible management tool the Council uses to guide its
activities throughout the year. Benefits of the Plan of Work include:
·
Continuity of action from one year to
the next.
·
Focus the Council on the same goal.
·
Inform the Sponsors of the Cocopai
Council activities.
·
Serves as an agreement between the
Cocopai RC&D and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State
Conservationist to justify providing assistance to the Cocopai RC&D.
Annual Plan of Work Overview
The Annual Plan of Work is the
operational tool for the Area Plan. This plan directs the annual schedule
of work toward projects that address objectives outlined in the Area
Plan. Every organization has limited resources. The Annual Plan focuses
the resources of the Council to meet the primary objectives and keep the
organization strong.
Thus the RC&D Council must prioritize
projects and actively participate in the development and updating of the
plan, with input from the appropriate project sponsors, committees,
agencies and individuals. Every Council member should feel ownership in
this plan.
Some of the benefits of planning:
·
Improved performance by organizations
·
Solve problems
·
Use available resources wisely
·
Build teamwork and expertise
·
Define the future
·
Conflict resolution
Action Teams
The primary method of assistance is
provided to sponsors through Action Teams. Community leaders and
stakeholders organize an Action Team to actively address community
issues. Leaders with diverse backgrounds join together to collaborate, at
least one common issue binds the Action Team together. The Action Team
defines the issues and establishes its operating guidelines. Once
organized, the Action Team develops some basic operating sideboards and a
strategic plan to guide its future. The Action Team is responsible for
implementing activities to the address the problem.
New Projects
Throughout the year new projects are
added to the Annual Plan of Work. The Annual Plan of Work is a dynamic
document with frequent modifications made as needed throughout the year.
A sponsor can submit a project proposal or concept paper to the Council or
Executive Committee. A project concept paper outline provides guidance.
Project sponsors are encouraged to seek assistance from the Coordinator
for preparation of the project application. To adopt new projects, two
criteria need to be met. First, the project must be compatible with the
Cocopai RC&D Area Plan and current priorities. Second, the project needs
to have a project leader and other citizens ready to form an Action Team.
New projects are initiated from
various sources:
·
Sponsors of the Cocopai RC&D
·
The Executive Committee of the Cocopai
RC&D Council
·
Other organizations with similar
missions to the Cocopai RC&D
Cocopai Resource
Conservation and Development Area Inc.
2007 Annual Plan of Work
Mission
Provide local leadership to address
natural resource conservation issues through cooperative efforts.
Vision
Create partnerships to meet the
challenges of economic and natural resource development that is
environmentally sensitive.
Element: Community Development
·
Provide rural clients direct access to USDA Programs
·
Improve the quality of life for residents in the service area
Project & Tasks
Responsibility Date
Boards & Commissions Training
Smith May
New
Council Handbook Ester
June
Develop Trails Plan
Joens/Ester March
Assist w/State RC&D Conference
Schmidt March
Natural Resource Education Centers
Schumacher March
Watershed Training
Schumacher April
Farmers Market Promotion Program
Towler April
Element: Land Management
·
Protect agricultural land from conversion to other uses
·
Encourage development of fish and wildlife habitat
·
Seek
local support to promote environmental quality
Projects & Tasks
Responsibility
Date
"Land Trust" informational meeting
Towler
April
Element: Water Conservation
·
Provide information on existing tools & techniques for water management
·
Develop information on water conservation
·
Assist sponsors with water projects or studies
Projects & Tasks
Responsibility Date
Big
Chino Water Ranch
Luzius April
Red
Gap Water Ranch
Cooper May
Verde Irrigation
Workshops
Rowland April
Steward of Public
Lands
Joens March
Element: Land Conservation
Noxious
weed partnership
Allen May
What we do.
Cocopai Resource Conservation and
Development Area, Inc. (Cocopai RC&D) provides a diverse range of services
in the areas of natural and human resource development that impacts east
central Arizona. We provide technical assistance to our; sponsors,
non-profit organizations, and concerned citizens when compatible with the
Cocopai RC&D Strategic Plan. The Cocopai RC&D place a high priority on
projects and issues impacting the entire service area. The RC&D does not
address projects that others address best, or where collaboration is not
needed or possible. Sponsors and other organizations desiring assistance
can make a request in writing to the Council. The Cocopai RC&D also
initiate projects consistent with the strategic plan. All programs and
services of the Cocopai RC&D are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis
without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age,
marital status, or handicap.
Organizational
Strengths: The Cocopai RC&D
demonstrate much strength as an effective grassroots rural development
organization. These strengths include addressing problems and
opportunities from a multi-county perspective. The Council
representatives know first hand the issues affecting their communities.
One characteristic
that distinguishes the Cocopai RC&D from other rural development
organizations is its ability to build partnerships. Solving complex
resource issues occurs because individuals or organizations find common
ground. A common issue is the thread that weaves diverse individuals and
organizations together. These common issues revolve around social,
economic and environmental conditions in the community or region. Through
this linkage collaboration evolves.
Because of the
diversity of the Cocopai RC&D, the Council is able to address issues other
local development organizations are unable to address. We bring diverse
groups and organizations together to collaboratively solve mutual
problems. Through this partnership we bring additional resources to our
service area. As participants, local leaders are best suited to solve
issues affecting their communities.
Collaborative
Problem Solving:
The RC&D is a catalyst that links diverse
groups -- bringing people and agencies together to work on solutions to
common concerns. By bringing interest groups and local, state, and
federal agencies and individuals together, an open dialogue can allow
understanding and agreement on issues of mutual concern.
Project Planning:
The RC&D assists organizations
to find practical solutions to problems and issues. The planning model
used involves citizen participation to facilitate social change.
Participants gain an understanding of the collaborative process--how
social changes are made through citizens to solve problems and issues
using local resources to foster necessary cooperation toward solving
problems and issues. The “Conception to Completion” planning
model brings the participants to a well thought out solution acceptable to
the community.
Grant Proposal
Writing: Cocopai RC&D writes
funding proposals to government agencies, foundations, and corporations on
behalf of sponsors and other organizations when consistent with the
Cocopai RC&D strategic plan. Our grant proposal writing assistance
includes the entire grant writing process, from all aspects of planning
(described in the previous section) conducting funder searches, proposal
writing, submission of the proposal to the funder, and follow-up with
funders.
Organizational
Capacity Building: The
Cocopai RC&D assists organizations to prepare strategic plans that guide
their future. In addition we assists our sponsors and others to
facilitate meetings. |
