Mentorship

[Louise Lawrence]

Have any of the SCDs in your state utilized a mentorship program to recruit or orient new SCD officials?

[Delwyne Trefz]

I’m not aware of any conservation districts in Idaho using a formalized mentorship program for Supervisor recruiting or orientation. However, many districts appoint individuals who are interested in being involved with district activities to serve as Associate Supervisors. While Associate Supervisors have no legal standing, responsibility, or authority under Idaho’s conservation district law, they are available to augment the knowledge and experience of the Supervisors, and assist–as requested–with district programs. It isn’t unusual for an Associate Supervisor to eventually run for an elected district board Supervisor position and the experience gained as an Associate means that, when they are elected to the Board, they are already familiar with the programs and activities of the district.

[Vince Sitzmann]

Iowa does not have a “mentorship” program for SWCD commissioners, but we do have assistant commissioners that can be appointed by the local board. They do not have voting rights on the board but typically have an area of specialty or interest or represent the board at various meetings. For example we have assistant commissioners who may provide leadership for the board with outreach activities or technical expertise.

Not sure if this of related to your question, but we also have a intern program. Commissioners can hire interns to work in the office in hopes that they may someday get employment with the SWCD or partner agency.

[David Williams]

Similar to both Idaho and Iowa, North Carolina encourages its districts to appoint Associate Supervisors (non-voting and not eligible for per diem from the state). At last count we had about 10-12 districts who’ve done this. In most instances, they use this as a means to train up replacements for the board, using it as an opportunity to gauge the individual’s interest and commitment. In other instances, they will ask an individual to serve as an associate because they have particular expertise on a matter or because they bring a connection to a key constituent group. I can think of a couple of instances in which the district board asked a retiring supervisor or one who was not re-elected to remain as an associate.

I, for one, think this is an excellent way to improve the local boards and the future for districts.

[Marc Cribb]

Similar to others, many South Carolina districts have ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONERS (supervisors).
Associate commissioners are officially appointed by the district board as advisors and representatives.
Associates do not vote on board decisions but augment the board’s knowledge and experience
and assist with conservation district programs. They also offer a way to cultivate potential new
commissioners, allow former commissioners to remain active in the district, and broaden community
input to the district.

[Bill Smith]

While South Dakota does not have a formal mentorship program, many conservation districts work their neighboring districts when they have a new district employee or board member. We do have a handbook on the internet designed to help with orientation of new district board members. The link is at: http://sdda.sd.gov/legacydocs/Forestry/publications/PDF/Supervisor-Handbook.pdf

Thanks,

Bill Smith

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