| RESOURCE CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT |
SENECA TRAIL RC&D 101 Serving the people of Allegany, Cattaragus, Chautauqua, Livingston, Wyoming Counties and the Seneca Nation of Indians since 1968 How Does the RC&D Work? RC&D is an exciting partnership between the Federal government and a local nonprofit organization led by local community leaders. To help you understand how RC&D works in this partnership, the following information explains the RC&D program, the RC&D area, the Council, and the relationships and responsibilities of each. The Whole Picture RC&D was initially started back in the 1960's to address rural poverty and help rural communities generate sustainable natural resource-based economics. Although today, many RC&D Areas are not rural and are not poor, the need for the RC&D concept is just as strong as ever. RC&D is not the same-old, same-old - RC&D is collaborative, multi-leveled, action-oriented, and inclusive. And, sometimes, "RC&D" is difficult to explain and difficult to quantify. However, the effect of the RC&D approach to solving community problems involving local people in voluntary, empowering ways can be felt with almost every RC&D project that happens across the country. The RC&D Program The Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Program is a nation-wide U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The purpose of the RC&D program is to accelerate the conservation, development and utilization of natural resources, improve the general level of economic activity, and to enhance the environment and standard of living in designated RC&D areas. Current program objectives focus on improvement of quality of life achieved through natural resources conservation and community development which leads to sustainable communities, prudent use (development), and the management and conservation of natural resources. The RC&D Area RC&D areas are locally-sponsored areas designated by the Secretary of Agriculture for RC&D technical and financial assistance program funds. The Seneca Trail RC&D Council was designated on April 28, 1968. Since then, the Council has been involved in over 300 projects in the 5 County area. The RC&D Coordinator USDA provides a staff person to assist the local Council in carrying out its objectives and goals by providing guidance, advice, and "technical assistance." In general, the RC&D Coordinator is a facilitator, advisor, and coach to the RC&D Council. In addition to the Federal RC&D Coordinator, USDA also provides office space and appropriate basic support for program administration to help the Council. The RC&D Council The RC&D Council is the heart of the RC&D concept. The Council is a membership-based nonprofit entity that is established and run by volunteers to carry out the mission of the R&CD. The Council is composed of members that are key community leaders in land conservation, water management, environmental enhancement, and community development. They are a steering committee and action team to implement the "Area Plan", a community-driven strategic long-range plan to improve the quality of life in the communities in the RC&D Area. The RC&D Council members need to be action-oriented volunteers and leaders that help the Council address needs in the community through good planning and project implementation. In this "make it happen" style, the Council also periodically evaluates its progress on the Area Plan and gathers input from the community. The Council members represent all the counties of the Area. The RC&D Council's Board of Directors The Board of Directors manage the affairs of the RC&D Council as an incorporated 501(c)(3). The Board formally approves the Area Plan, mission, policies, budget, projects, and hiring of Council Staff. Board members have "legal and fiduciary responsibilities including: Duty of Care, Duty of Loyalty, and Duty of Obedience. Essentially, the Board of Directors ensures that the organization is well-managed and running properly in order to obtain the objectives of the RC&D Council. The RC&D Projects Projects that have been approved by the RC&D Council are then implemented by Board and Council Members, other volunteers and partners. These projects help implement the goals of the RC&D Council. RC&D Council Staff can be hired by the Board to implement the long range goals, policies, and organizational operations that have all been approved by the Board. So, That's RC&D 101 It's the community-driven collaboration and communication that goes on between all these pieces of RC&D that make it work. From Washington, DC down to a couple people in Belmont brainstorming project ideas, the RC&D network is a powerful way to help people change their communities for the better. Get involved with your local RC&D and help make things happen! Contact us at (716) 699-2375 extension 5. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT "The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (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 to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer." |
LOCAL RC&D COMMITTEE Gretchen T. Gary - County Rep (585) 268-7831 Ext 3 alleganyswcd@hotmail.com Norman G. Ungerman - Legislative Rep (585) 968-1790 Thomas Parmenter - At Large Rep (585) 268-7644 Ext 26 tdp6@cornell.edu Ronald A. Stuck - Alternate (585) 973-7405 rastuck@aol.com Kathy Kos, DC - Sponsor Rep (585) 268-7831 Ext 3 Kathy.Kos@ny.usda.gov SENECA TRAIL RC&D COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OFFICERS Allan J. Ormond - President Cattaraugus County (716) 938-6247 E. Joseph Gozelski - Vice President Wyoming County (585) 493-2218 Lawrence Brown - Secretary/Treasurer Chautauqua County (716) 487-0515 E. James Ellis - Asst Treasurer Cattaraugus County (716) 257-9765 PROJECT COORDINATOR JoAnn Kurtis (716) 699-2375 Ext 5 FAX (716) 699-8924 |
LOCAL RC&D COMMITTEE Gretchen T. Gary - County Rep (585) 268-5840 alleganyswcd@hotmail.com Norman G. Ungerman - Legislative Rep (585) 968-1790 Thomas Parmenter - At Large Rep (585) 268-7644 Ext 26 tdp6@cornell.edu Ronald A. Stuck - Alternate (585) 973-7405 rastuck@aol.com Kathy Kos, DC - Sponsor Rep (585) 268-7831 Ext 3 Kathy.Kos@ny.usda.gov SENECA TRAIL RC&D COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OFFICERS Allan J. Ormond - President Cattaraugus County (716) 938-6247 E. Joseph Gozelski - Vice President Wyoming County (585) 493-2218 Lawrence Brown - Secretary/Treasurer Chautauqua County (716) 487-0515 E. James Ellis - Asst Treasurer Cattaraugus County (716) 257-9765 PROJECT COORDINATOR JoAnn Kurtis (716) 699-2375 Ext 5 FAX (716) 699-8924 |
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