Annual Report

PART 1 -- ANNUAL CHAPTER REPORT

CHAPTER CORE ACTIVITY REPORT

North Dakota Chapter

As Reported by: Jennifer Heglund

Daytime Phone: 701-530-2095 FAX: 701-530-2110

E-Mail: jennifer.heglund@nd.usda.gov

A. Changes in policies and operations

1. Did your chapter change any of the following fundamental policies this year?

a. Fiscal year NO

b. Ending date for officer terms NO

c. By-laws NO

2. If yes for (a) or (b), please supply the new information. If yes for (c) please supply a copy to SWCS Headquarters at Ankeny.

B. Maintenance of legal and tax status

1. Did your chapter file the necessary report(s) needed to maintain its legal status in the state/province as a corporation or unincorporated organization?

YES

2. U.S. Chapters: Chapters under SWCS's blanket federal income tax exemption are asked to file IRS Form 990 or Form 990EZ each year. Did your chapter file an IRS Form 990 or 990EZ in 1999?

YES

C. SWCS membership

1. Did your chapter conduct an event/activity to promote membership?

YES

2. Does your chapter have an active membership committee?

YES (Rod O’Clair, chairman)

D. Other minimum benchmarks

1. Did your chapter produce "newsletters" to report chapter activities and progress to its members? YES How many? 3

2. Did your chapter officers meet during the year to conduct chapter business? YES

3. Did your chapter prepare and adopt a budget for the past year?

NO (But we plan to address the development of a budget)

4. Does your chapter have an internet homepage? YES

If Yes, what is the address http://www.ndswcs.org

5. Did your chapter distribute newsworthy information through the internet? YES (Chapter notes, newsletters, events, etc.)

6. Does the chapter provide scholarship(s). YES (as budget allows)

How many? _0_Total Dollar Amount: $ 0 .

E. Officers and E-mail (These are 2000-2001 officers)

When does your chapter elect officers? In December each year.

When do officers take office? Immediately following the annual meeting in December or January each year.

President: Jennifer Heglund – jennifer.heglund@nd.usda.gov

President-Elect: Dan Hovland – dan.hovland@nd.usda.gov

Secretary/ Treasurer: Jackie Henderson - jackie.henderson@nd.usda.gov

Membership Chair: Rod O’Clair – rod.oclair@nd.usda.gov

Council Representative: Mark Liebig, liebigm@mandan.ars.usda.gov

Council Representative: Cal Thorson, cthorson@dowagro.com

Legislative Committee: Mark Anderson, mark.anderson@nd.usda.gov

Newsletter Committee: Jill Howard, jill.howard@nd.usda.gov

Awards Committee: Stephan Schroeder, MSMAIL.sas@oracle.psc.state.nd.us

PART 2 -- ANNUAL CHAPTER REPORT

OUTSTANDING CHAPTER AWARD

(This award recognizes a chapter from each region for its accomplishment in carrying out its overall program during the year.)

Chapter Name: North Dakota Soil & Water Conservation Society

_________________________________________________________

A. Benchmarks:

1. Did the chapter develop a long-range plan or review its old plan to provide continuity and achievement of long-term goals? YES

2. Did the chapter adopt an annual work plan that identifies key activities and events for the year, such as selection of officers, committees and task force appointments, meetings and workshops, membership drives, and award programs? YES

Did the chapter distribute newsletters last year to keep members informed? YES

How many newsletters were issued last year? 3

Please submit copies to Ankeny. New letters are electronic and

are available at the website http://www.ndswcs.org

4. Did the chapter conduct at least one technical/social/professional meeting in addition to the annual business meeting to encourage interaction, and exchange of information? Yes

How many technical/social/professional meetings were held? 2

How many chapter members took part in the meetings? 52

How many non-chapter members took part in the meetings? 16

5. Did the chapter conduct an annual membership program to promote recruitment and growth? YES

How many regular members did the chapter have at the start of the year? 171

How many regular members did the chapter have at the end of the year? 137

Does the chapter recognize new members via the chapter newsletter and/or at chapter meetings? NO

Does the chapter recognize its top new member recruiter?

YES

6. Did the chapter recognize the efforts of members, cooperating organizations and individuals through an annual awards program? YES

7. Did the chapter establish chapter by-laws term limits for chapter leaders to provide adequate opportunities for progression of elected officials while maintaining continuity from one year to the next? YES

8. Has the chapter developed written materials for officers to inform them of their duties and responsibilities (Officer's Manual)? YES

Does the chapter encourage and assist the incoming officer(s) to attend the regional chapter development workshops? YES

How many chapter leaders attended the regional chapter development workshop? 1.

Does the chapter encourage and assist the incoming officer(s) to attend the chapter development workshop at the SWCS annual conference? YES

How many chapter leaders attended the chapter development workshop at the SWCS annual conference? 1

9. Does the chapter have a representative to all the student chapters within their chapter area? YES

B. Other Chapter Activities During the Past Year That Characterize an "Ideal Chapter"

1. Has the chapter done any of the following?

Developed a position statement NO

Participated in a coalition NO

Communicated with state/provincial officials YES

2. Did the chapter conduct any fundraising programs? YES

3. Did the chapter conduct or participate in any of the following

Environmental Education projects?

Booklet sales YES

Teacher education NO

Science Fairs NO

Envirothon NO

Other (List) ___________________________ NO

4. Was the chapter involved in community service activities? (Clean up projects, planting projects, disaster relief, etc.) NO

5. Did the chapter have any of the following media activities?

Initiate contacts with local media NO

Issue press releases NO

Obtain media coverage at chapter events NO

6. Did the chapter share partnerships, joint conservation projects, educational programs or seminars or communication with other agencies, societies, environmental groups, student chapters, etc.? YES

7. Did the chapter work with state/provincial legislators on any activities?

NO

8. Did the chapter develop any technical manuals or similar documents?

NO If yes, please submit a copy to SWCS Headquarters.

9. Does the chapter provide scholarship(s). YES (as budget allows)

How many? _0_Total Dollar Amount: $ 0 .

Briefly describe (300 words or less) the highlights of your chapter which led to the outstanding accomplishments that were obtained during the past year.

The chapter has worked together as a team to achieve the outstanding accomplishment of the past year. Our Educational Committee has worked hard on setting up and presenting two workshops. "50 Ways Farmers Can Protect Their Groundwater" was held in January and was put on to achieve an awareness of potential groundwater problems and an understanding of steps to take to prevent such a problem. The "Soil Quality Workshop" which was held in December addressed all functions of soil quality including both chemical & physical properties, Soil quality test kit, and a Soil Health card designed by farmers for farmers.

The Chapter presented awards to the following people: Dr. Stephen Merrill, Mandan, was presented with the state Professional Award, for his research on wind erosion and crop water use. Mr. Dean Chamrad, Bismarck, ND was presented with the state Service Award to recognize his many years of efforts to improve North Dakota rangelands. A new award for the state The state Business Stewardship Award was presented to Mr. Kelly Kiemele representing the Tesoro Petroleum/ Mandan Refinery for the plants innovative wastewater management program for protection of ground and surface water in addition to wildlife enhancement efforts at the plant.

Myron Senechal and Stephen Schroder attended the Annual Conference held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Stephen presented our annual chapter report

Dr. Stephan Schroeder Bismarck, ND was presented with the highest national award, a Fellow Award. One of only two awarded nationally, Dr. Schroeder was recognized for his distinguished professional achievement in measuring and modeling mineland erosion.

Mr. Alan Ness, Bismarck, ND was presented a national Commendation Award for implementing yearly educational programs for Certified Crop Advisors in North Dakota and for promoting the use of conservation planning in North Dakota.

PART 5 -- ANNUAL CHAPTER REPORT

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

(This award recognizes one chapter for its efforts in conducting and/or sponsoring professional development programs. The program, activities or curriculum should be focused on SWCS chapter members as organizers and/or as participants. A chapter must submit an Annual Report and complete Part 1 [Chapter Core Activity Report] AND Part 2 [Outstanding Chapter Award).

This award will recognize SWCS Chapters that display creativity and an on-going commitment to meeting multiple professional development needs of member and non-members. To qualify for consideration, Chapters should meet at least one of the following in extraordinary ways:

A. Consistently offering educational and professional development opportunities to its members.

B. Consistently offering educational and professional development opportunities to non-members.

C. Providing experiences linked through a strategy or curriculum that improves the professionalism of those working in the conservation field.

D. Providing professional development in a timely manner and/or using state of the art creative approaches to conservation.

Chapter Name: North Dakota Soil & Water Conservation Society ________________________________________________________

List each chapter professional development program/ activity/ curriculum/ event and briefly describe it in one or two sentences. Then answer questions 2 through 10 for all items listed in this section.

Two sessions of training opportunities were held in North Dakota. The sessions were developed to provide certified crop advisors with continuing education credits for soil and water conservation.

For each professional development activity or event that has been described in response to Question#1 (Part 5), please complete the following questions (#2-#10). Use additional copies of these sheets as needed.

2. What best describes the setting of this event (how learning/training/sharing/etc. occurred)?

____ informal workshop (semi-formal agenda)

__X_ formal workshop (formal/structured tasks)

____ correspondence course

____ seminar/lecture (limited participant interaction)

____ field-based tour (primary focus)

____ other (please describe):_____________________

3. Was this event? (Check the one that best applies.)

____ A one time event (can be more than one day, but focused on a single event.

__X_ A reoccurring event (same topic or curriculum offered periodically)

____ A series of events (multiple sessions and multiple topics, linked together)

____ Other (please describe): ___________________

4. How many people participated in this event? 50 (total participants)

5. How many members of your SWCS Chapter participated in:

planning and organizing the event 5

attending the event as participants 33

what was your total Chapter Membership last year 171

6. Was a fee assessed for this event? Yes $ Amount $60

Members were provided free registration, non-members were provided the opportunity of becoming members or registering for $60.

Were Continuing Education Units (CEUs) offered for this event?

Yes

If yes, how many CEUs were offered? 5

If yes, identify the certification program(s) linked to the CEU’s

Certified Crop Advisors

8. Was this event specially for, or linked to, a certification program?

Yes

If yes, please identify the certification program.

Certified Crop Advisors.

9. What best describes the primary focus of this event?

___ technical skill development (engineering, assessment, etc.)

_X_ scientific reporting or inquiry (research updates, research methods, etc.)

____ administrative (program management, leadership, personnel management, etc.

____ personal improvement (stress management, time management, career development, etc.)

__X_ Other (please describe): Conservation awareness.

Please describe briefly (50 words or less) any impacts that are a result of this event.

The sessions have developed a direct link to the society with individuals offering onsite crop scouting and weed control assistance to agricultural producers. It has increased the conservation awareness of Ag professionals in ND. Membership has increased substantially in the North Dakota Chapter because of these events.

For each professional development activity or event that has been described in response to Question#1 (Part 5), please complete the following questions (#2-#10). Use additional copies of these sheets as needed.

2. What best describes the setting of this event (how learning/training/sharing/etc. occurred)?

____ informal workshop (semi-formal agenda)

__X_ formal workshop (formal/structured tasks)

____ correspondence course

____ seminar/lecture (limited participant interaction)

____ field-based tour (primary focus)

____ other (please describe):_____________________

3. Was this event? (Check the one that best applies.)

____ A one time event (can be more than one day, but focused on a single event.

__X_ A reoccurring event (same topic or curriculum offered periodically)

____ A series of events (multiple sessions and multiple topics, linked together)

____ Other (please describe): ___________________

4. How many people participated in this event? 23 (total participants)

5. How many members of your SWCS Chapter participated in:

planning and organizing the event 4

attending the event as participants 19

what was your total Chapter Membership last year 171

6. Was a fee assessed for this event? Yes $ Amount $60

Members were provided free registration, non-members were provided the opportunity of becoming members or registering for $60.

Were Continuing Education Units (CEUs) offered for this event?

Yes

If yes, how many CEUs were offered? 4

If yes, identify the certification program(s) linked to the CEU’s

Certified Crop Advisors

8. Was this event specially for, or linked to, a certification program?

Yes

If yes, please identify the certification program.

Certified Crop Advisors.

9. What best describes the primary focus of this event?

__X_ technical skill development (engineering, assessment, etc.)

__ _ scientific reporting or inquiry (research updates, research methods, etc.)

____ administrative (program management, leadership, personnel management, etc.

____ personal improvement (stress management, time management, career development, etc.)

__X_ Other (please describe): Conservation awareness.

Please describe briefly (50 words or less) any impacts that are a result of this event.

The sessions have developed a direct link to the society with individuals offering onsite crop scouting and weed control assistance to agricultural producers. It has increased the conservation awareness of Ag professionals in ND. Membership has increased substantially in the North Dakota Chapter because of these events.