Roles and Expectations for Regional Directors and Regional Teams

Theo Dillaha, SE Regional Board Member

2005 House of Delegates Resolution

Resolution 2:Be it resolved: That Standard Regional

programs be planned, developed and conducted… following the examples of the identified successful Regional programs and further that SWCS officers be responsible to monitor such Regional programs to insure that the membership across Regions and Chapters is being served as intended and as needed by the approved Regional guidelines.

SWCS BOD Response

• SWCS BOD appointed an ad-hoc committee to review the responsibilities of Regional Directors and develop an updated list of realistic responsibilities for Regional Directors and Teams.

• Committee Members– Theo Dillaha, Southeastern Board Rep.– Becky Fletcher, East North Central Board Rep.– Ray Tufgar, Canadian Board Rep.– Henry Duncan, Kentucky Chapter– Jennifer Hegge, North Dakota Chapter– Mark Rose, Maryland Chapter

Committee Response

• Organizational meeting at 2005 conference (July 2005)• Reviewed current descriptions of Regional Board

Members and Regional Team responsibilities • Surveyed all current and recent Board members,

regional team members, and chapter presidents to better understand member expectations and needs (Sept 2005).

• Used results of survey to develop realistic expectations for Regional Board Members and Regional Teams.

• Presented recommendations to BOD (Sept 2005)• Use by Nominations Committee with 2006 Elections• Report to members in March 2006 Conservogram• See handout for final recommendations

Key Points

• Responsibilities of all Directors: Represent all Society members through customary BOD responsibilities. (1 to 2 hr/wk)See “Primary Responsibilities of All Directors” in handout.

• Unique Responsibilities of Regional Directors (1 to 3 hr/wk)

Regional Board Members Have Dual Responsibilities:

Key Points

Unique Responsibilities of Regional Directors:

• Form and be a member of a regional team, which promotes the society and strengthens regional chapters.

• Promote communications between BOD, SWCS staff, Regional Team, and Chapters.

• Maintain relationships with chapter officers especially presidents, president-elects, and student chapter advisors.

Key Points

Unique Responsibilities of Regional Directors

• Nominate regional representatives to SWCS committees:– Leadership Development– Membership– Professional Development– Awards

• See “Responsibilities Unique to Regional Directors” in handout for more details.

Expectations for Regional Teams

• Support chapters in undertaking activities that integrate professional development, chapter development, membership growth, awards, and advocacy.

• Assist struggling chapters in the region.• Meet annually at the SWCS Annual Meeting .• Assist the Membership Committee in reaching

membership targets.• Meet at least quarterly (teleconference).• Annual Regional Leadership Development

Workshop.

SWCS Southeastern Regional Team Report

Theo Dillaha, SE Regional Board Member

SE Regional Team

• Less active prior to 2005• Occasional emails and teleconferences • Members:

– Regional Board Representative– Regional representatives to national

committees (Awards, Leadership Development, Membership, Professional Development)

• Organized annual leadership development workshops

• New Director appointed in 2005 (Me)

• Chaired committee that developed updated responsibilities for Regional Directors and Teams, so felt obligated to try and follow suggested guidelines.

SE Regional Team

• Formed SE Regional Team in fall 2005• Mission: Strengthen SWCS Chapters

within the Southeastern Region

• Membership:– Regional Director (Chair)– Regional Committee Representatives– SE Region Chapter Presidents– SE Region Chapter Vice President– Student Chapter Presidents– Other interested SE Region Members– 19 members, most active

SE Regional Team

SE Regional Team

• Meets by teleconference bimonthly– Chapters pay Ankeny for teleconferences – Nov. 28, 2005 (members)– Jan. 23, 2006– March 20, 2006– May 15, 2006– August 14, 2006

• Soil Quality Symposium Subcommittee – Established May 2005– June 26, 2006– July 19, 2006

SE Regional Team

Typical teleconference• One hour• Agenda distributed in advance• Minutes kept and distributed• SWCS Committees and Board report• State and student chapter reports• Discussion of successful and

unsuccessful activities• Brian storming to address opportunities

and problems

Recurring Team Activities• Exchange of Chapter Newsletters, meetings,

and workshop announcements• Development and exchange of Chapter

Leader Guides• Chapter website improvement• SE Region Leadership Development

Workshop (Fall 2006, Columbia, SC)• 2007 SWCS Annual Meeting, Tampa, Florida• SE Regional Symposium (Soil Quality) at

2007 Annual Meeting

SE Regional Team

SE Regional Team

Comments by members of the Southeastern Regional Team?

Questions?