This year, Summer Conference was held in Springfield, Illinois from July 22 through July 24, 2009. During summer conference, the AISWCD holds their annual meeting, training sessions are available for directors and employees, fundraising and Auxiliary events are held, and it is a great opportunity to socialize with peers.
Events kicked off on Wednesday with a Water Quality Tour and Trivia Night.
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| Trivia Night |
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| Trivia Night |
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| Trivia Night |
The theme for Thursday’s session was Operating a Successful SWCD. During this session, Jeff Hendricks, Hendricks & Carr, LLC, was on hand to discuss public and media relations and RW Troxell representative John Greene presented information on Insurance Coverage. Some changes have been made to Illinois Funds, so IL Funds Director Randy Coffey made a presentation to the group.
Soil and Water Conservation Districts across the country have been facing similar financial difficulties. Many districts have found ways to diversify and evolve into sustainable organizations. From a district in eastern Ohio, Irene Moore, District Administrator, and Wendee Zadanski, Natural Resources Specialist, were on hand to share their success story. If you would like more information or to view the Power Point presentations, please visit the AISWCD website.
We were also honored to have Chapin Rose join us and share his legislative insights. Rep. Rose also allowed time for a question and answer session.
The Education Luncheon and Awards were held on Thursday with many inspiring youth and adults being honored.
(The following excerpts, taken from the program booklet, will give you an idea on a few of the awards presented during the luncheon)
George McKibben Memorial Scholarship: Amy Davis from Odell, Illinois in Livingston County is this year’s winner of the $500 scholarship.
Amy is currently enrolled in the University of Illinois and plans to graduate in 2011 with a bachelor of Science degree and continue her education in graduate school. She has significant interest to study abroad for a more extensive academic program.
Five years from now, Amy plans to be done with graduate school and will pursue a career in the area of animal science nutrition or conservation in the poultry area.
Being from a soil & water conservation award family, Amy is aware of the importance of the stewardship between conservation, land and livestock. In any industry with confinement operations, there is a great need to be conscious of the environment and how our livestock are influencing it. Amy intends to stress avoiding improper feed diets. Excess amounts of nitrogen, if given off, can eventually reach our water supply. Her goal is to use her animal science biotechnology degree to answer some of the misconceptions within the industry.
Amy is involved with the 4-H House (Sorority), Collegiate FFA, FFA Alumni, Hoof & Horn Club, Collegiate 4-H, Student Advancement Committee, College Honors, ACES Student Council, James Scholar Media Team, and the Alpha Zeta – Ag Honor Fraternity.
Outstanding District Employee Award: Gary Bruch from Magnolia, Illinois in Marshall-Putnam County is this year’s “District Employee” award winner. Gary has been an enthusiastic and dedicated employee of the District for eight years. Prior to his employement, he served as Chairman of the SWCD Board and held important positions in the Association.
Gary’s job classification is District Technician. Listed under his major job duties are maintaining all technical case files for cost share programs; assisting landowners and occupiers through planning, surveying, designing, and reporting of conservation practices; assisting with Erosion and Sediment Control, EQIP, Transect Survey, Farmland Protection, Cost-Share, CRP/CREP, special grant, and any other Federal, State, or Local programs delegated to the District; and assisting watershed committees by identifying concerns and implementing solutions.
Gary also assists with District rental equipment and maintenance programs, District tree and fish sales, contributes to the District newsletter, website, and Annual Goal Day, and advises the Board of Directors during board meetings.
Gary’s service in conservation and action groups along with many community activities has led to many honors and awards in his lifetime. As a landowner, farmer and employee of the District, Gary has established an excellent rapport with customers and co-workers, along with a great working relationship with the District Board and other partners in conservation including NRCS and FSA.
Gary’s commitment to his family, community, and District, have made him an excellent choice for the 2009 Outstanding District Employee Award.
Teacher of the Year: Paul Ritter high school Science teacher from Pontiac Township High School in Pontiac, Illinois in Livingston County is this year’s winner for the Teacher of the Year.
Creativity and innovation are the standard, rather than the exception for Paul Ritter. He has a wide range of activities that his classes have completed. The students take a problem, research it, brainstorm to possible solutions, develop a plan of action, and then implement this plan. From this process, has come the Crayon Recycling Program, the Cell phone Recycling Program, the Pontiac Billboard Project, the Pontiac Storm Sewer Stenciling Project, the Biodiesel Project, the Battery Recycling Program, the Powerdown Program, and the Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal Program (P2D2) have been established.
With these projects, students have the opportunity to work with area businesses, local community members, city government, county government and state government on environmental projects. Students have been very successful at learning along with passing their environmentally encouraging messages to the citizens of central Illinois. The projects have not only allowed the students to increase their level of education, but also to give them a sense of pride, allowing them to become an integral part of society and be positive mentors for younger-aged school children.
Paul is a teacher that always puts his students first. To him, teaching is his life, not just a job. His passion for education and the environment goes well beyond the classroom, but touches every aspect of his life, as well as his student’s lives. When Paul undertakes a project, you can rest assured it will be done to perfections. His enthusiastic attitude is so contagious that his students, as well s his colleagues, cannot help but get exited about learning and teaching.
ISWCDEA Scholarship Winner: Michael Abell, Gallatin County
Legislative Awards:
Friend of Conservation Award was presented to Representative Chapin Rose (R) 110th District.
Representative Frank Mautino (D) 76th District received the Legislator of the Year recognition.
Training Opportunities:
While the AISWCD held an Annual Meeting Director’s Forum, employees were invited to attend a forum addressing health insurance. The Insurance Committee did an excellent of job of preparing a presentation on the Health Insurance Program History. Please click the following link to view the entire presentation: Illinois SWCD Employees Health Insurance Program History.
