District Director Emeritus Program

[Adrian Baber]

We are looking at establishing a District Director Emeritus Program, this program would allow directors to retire from the board but would allow them Emeritus status after 25 years of service. Are there any states that have a program similar to this that recognize district directors in this way?

[Karl Brown]

A number of CDs in PA have used this Director Emeritus concept for the last several years.

Under our CD law, they are essentially associate members (non-voting); these CDs have simply given them a more impressive title.

It is simply a way to recognize long-standing loyal board members, while at the same time allowing new directors to have a seat at the table.

[Doug Thomas]

We do no thave anything like this in Minnesota. About as cloe as we may get is that the State Associattion has affiliate memberships.

Doug Thomas

[Ray Ledgerwood]

Adrian,
A great idea…no formal process in Washington State. Associate Supervisor positions have been approved by Boards throughout the state.
r

[Brad Spicer]

Louisiana does not have such a program.

[David Williams]

We (NC) don’t have that, but we’ve discussed that it would be a good idea to have that as an option. We’re interested in seeing what you come up with.

[Robert Toole]

See attached page. OACD passed this policy in 2003. I’m aware of it because I wrote it. At the time I was Director of Leadership Services – South for NACD and serving as an Associate Board Member for the Logan County Conservation District. It was developed in response to an outcry from Oklahoma and a request for assistance to address the situation that many district directors continued to serve on district boards long after they ceased to contribute any value only because they wanted to log “time served” as a district director. The policy passed (attached) was revised from the original suggestion. The original version included recognition of time served as an Associate Director by any official voting board member who chose to move to Director Emeritus and continue participating in Board meetings and logging time served. In other words, any voting district board member who chose to move to Director Emeritus status could continue to be recognized for “time served” as a Director Emeritus in addition to previous time served as an Associate Director. The only difference between the position/job description of Associate Director and Director Emeritus is that an Associate Director serves prior to becoming an official voting board member and a Director Emeritus serves after retiring as an official voting board member.

The second page outlines the Associate Director policy that was separated out as an individual policy from the original draft of the Director Emeritus/Associate Director draft service policy. OACD separated the Associate Director policy in an attempt to promote and encourage the revitalization of Associate Directors.

Dir Emeritus-Assoc Dir_20160106

Hope this helps.

 

Attachments:

1. Dir-Emeritus-Assoc-Dir_20160106.pdf

[Karl Christians]

We in Montana do not have anything like this, but I really like the idea.

[Colleen Meredith]

We do not have anything like that in Missouri, but like others have said it is a great idea. Our Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts recognizes years of service at our annual meeting but there is nothing after a member goes off the board.

[Marc Cribb]

In SC, we have Commissioner Emeritus status for retiring district commissioners (supervisors). The guidelines are fairly brief:

Definition: The title “Emeritus” conferred upon an individual is used to formally designate someone who has been honorably discharged from the performance of public duty for long and faithful service but still is interested in the local conservation district. Upon retirement and recommendation by the Conservation District Board, it is appropriate for the DNR- Land, Water, and Conservation Advisory Committee to confer the title of Conservation District Commissioner Emeritus upon deserving individuals

This title does not confer any powers or responsibilities but is in recognition of faithful service to the local conservation district.

Guidelines:

The following guidelines are intended to be used to establish minimum criteria that an individual must meet in order to have the title of Commissioner Emeritus conferred upon them.

1. Length of Service as a Conservation District Commissioner
2. Contributions and significant accomplishments to the Natural Resources
3. Character
4. Leadership
5. Service to the Community and State
6. The Candidate shall be recommended in writing by their Conservation District
7. The Candidate must be living at the time of appointment

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