| MONTANA CHAPTER | AUGUST 2001 |
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by Dave Heilig, Chapter President
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina |
 Montana & Colorado delegates to the National Meeting. Front row l.-r.: Shirley Gammon, Lori Valadez, a Colorado delegate, Warren Kellogg. Back row l.-r.: 2 Colorado delegates, Heidi Brewer, Dave Heilig, John Blaine |
The Montana Chapter was well represented at the 2001 National Society Annual Conference held August 4-8 in Myrtle Beach South Carolina. Dave Heilig, Chapter President, Warren Kellogg, Immediate Past President, Heidi Brewer, President Elect, John Blaine, Western Montana Director, Lori Valadez, member and Shirley Gammon, member/ NRCS State Conservationist were in attendance.
The meeting attracted nearly 2000 members from around the world. The conference highlighted such activities as Chapter Development, Erosion and Sediment Control Workshops, Carbon Sequestration, Pest Management and various technical and entertainment tours of the surrounding area.
The Chapter Development workshop held on Saturday August 4th was, as always, the highlight of the meeting. Warren Kellogg, Montana's immediate Past President reviewed, with the more than 45 delegates representing their respective chapters from around the world, the value and rewards of having a chapter long range plan, calendar of events/actions and follow up on chapter activities at regularly scheduled Board of Director meetings. Members participated in the workshop to gain skills and share ideas on improving member services, and ultimately providing members with a better organization. The Montana Chapter this year did not received a Chapter award since it was not eligible because the chapter has been recognized the past 3 years as an Outstanding Chapter and a Sustained Performance Chapter.
At the delegate meeting on late Saturday afternoon it was time for discussing the goals of the society. "SWCS can play a major role in the (US) conservation policy development arena (in Cox's discussions with) according to Doug McKalip, NRCS Director of Legislative Affairs" touted Craig Cox Executive Vice President of the Society. Get your membership involved was the messaged shared with the delegates by Nancy Pasling, of New Jersey.
Craig Cox indicated that the role of SWCS advocacy program was "to explore the local initiative effort in promoting the conservation programs. We are the professionals in the conservation "business". SWCS is looked at as the "Brookings Institute" for conservation issues to policy makers. Not knocking on congressman's doors!
If as a member you have not requested and read SWCS "Seeking Common Ground, A Farm Bill Proposal: Responding to the Grassroots" you really should. Norm Berg, SWCS Capitol Hill representative, gave me his only copy he had but more can be requested from the Ankeny office. The Key concepts in this well thought out policy statement are the value of the citizenship to assist in the conservation of private "Working Lands" for "Public Benefit".
Craig Cox also indicated that membership is critical in bolstering the impact of our message to policy makers. The by line here is that all members have a responsibility to spread the good word about the society to any contacts they may have.
On Monday, technical presentations were made to the members attending. Warren Kellogg presented a paper titled "Rapid Aerial Assessment: The First Step in Protecting the Yellowstone River". It was co-authored by Ted Hawn, Past President of the Montana Chapter and District Conservationist in Lewistown, Montana. Many questions were asked and a great deal of interest in the procedure was voiced.
Another important highlight of the meeting was the celebration of the Birth of Hugh Hammond Bennett who is considered today to be the father of Soil and Water Conservation in the US. He was also a charter member and first president of the SWCS. He was an evangelist for conservation
All in all, the meeting was a huge success. Informative, well organized and one of the best that I have attended over the years. I would encourage any member to attend one of the national meetings. The 2003 meeting may be that opportunity. The Society's Annual Convention will be held in Spokane Washington, right next door.
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PRINTS FOR SALE
Area directors and other executive officers are selling the wildlife print (shown here) by Laurel Ovitt first made available at the 1997 annual meeting as a fundraising tool. The prints sell for $25.00 unframed, $40.00 framed, $22.32 of which is tax deductible. The numbered prints are a part of a planned series devoted to a conservation theme. To buy a print, contact your local officer. |
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August 2001 Newsletter - Page II
Montana Chapter Officers - 2001 and Mission Statement
Montana Chapter SCSA Section Map
A History of the Montana Chapter
Past Newsletters
Soil and Water Conservation Society Fact Sheet
Membership Form
Montana Chapter SWCS Endowment Fund
Soil and Water Conservation Society (National)
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