Chautauqua Lake & Watershed Management Alliance (Alliance)

Executive Summary: 2016 Summary

2016 Goals for the Alliance

All goals listed have been achieved in 2016 unless otherwise indicated or can be considered a work in progress. Each goal is listed as written 2/2016 by the Executive Director with italicized summary comments as appropriate under each goal.

Overarching goals:

• Procure state and federal money on behalf of members and their projects via grant writing and grant administration.
  • Procured over $454k in state grant dollars for 2016 for two separate municipal member projects. Alliance has partnered with the Village of Celoron for a capital project to replace the break wall at the Lucille Ball Memorial Park and add a new timber boardwalk and ADA compliant kayak/canoe launch via DOS Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Grant. Alliance has also partnered with the Village of Lakewood and Town of Busti for a stormwater study via DEC/EFC Engineering Planning Grant. These grant dollars support $845k in total project costs. Implementation 2016 & 2017.
  • The first year the Alliance was in operation was 2015. Between 2015 and 2016 efforts, the Alliance has assisted in procuring a total of $1,527,389 in awarded state grant funding to implement $2,275,831 in water quality projects specific to Chautauqua Lake.
• Implementation of the recommendations identified in the 2010 Chautauqua Lake Watershed Management Plan, the in-lake Macrophyte Management Strategy (MMS), the Chautauqua Lake Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP), and other sources.
  • A 2017 Progress Report is planned for the 2010 Chautauqua Lake Watershed Management Plan via the Alliance Scientific Review & Advisory Committee.
• Open communication is to be a priority. Ensure that anyone who wants a voice in how our watershed and lake is managed has a voice and is truly heard by the Alliance Board, Alliance staff and Alliance members.
• Transparency is also to be a priority.   For example: published fee structure, published board meeting minutes, etc.
  • Fee structure public via Membership Request Letters & Board Meeting Minutes.
  • Board Meeting minutes disseminated to all Members and interested citizens via email as well as published on the Alliance website once draft minutes are approved at the subsequent meeting.
  • Board meetings open to Members and open to the general public.

• Fiscally self-sustaining.
  • Alliance continued to be fiscally self-sustaining in 2016 via three revenue streams: County 2% Agency Allocation for Technical Services, Membership Dues, & grant administration fees.
• Focused on not competing with our members or fellow nonprofits for local donors to cover operational costs.
  • No known net impact to fellow nonprofit local funding or contributions.
• Act as point of contact for community, state and federal entities.
• Meet with Members and general public, network, & most importantly listen.
  • Approximately 76 individual and small group meetings held.
  • Approximately 33 Board meetings attended, the majority requiring communication of Alliance mission and progress updates.
  • Approximately 40 special events attended, including 5 Alliance Guest Speaker presentations.

Short term goals (by summer time):

• Activation of Scientific Review & Advisory Committee.
  • Committee is populated but no activation other than initial group meeting in 2016. A 2017 Progress Report is planned for the 2010 Chautauqua Lake Watershed Management Plan via this Committee.

• Better define how we will prioritize projects.
  • Work in Progress. Currently not enough pending projects for prioritization to be relevant.
• Continue to work on establishing local match tools and funding sources.
  • Procured $160k via local Foundation grant awards which is specifically earmarked for member project match needs.   A similar effort via the County is still work in progress.
• Initiate work with new bookkeeping service provider.
• Facilitate work done by our Audit & Tax service provider.

• Review target member list and assess for additions or deletions prior to our 2016-2017 Membership Drive.

• Confirm membership dues structure that is equitable and logical.
• Execute successful Membership Drive. Maintain participation by the founding member organizations and increase participation based on target member list during the second annual Membership Drive.
  • Of the 31 founding members, 26 renewed. No brand new members acquired.

• Identify and utilize Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software to help track interactions with members as well as track hours and work linked to specific projects or grants.
  • This has not been accomplished and will be added to the 2017 Goals.

• Renew federal grants.gov registration.

• Increase organization capacity / staff in addition to executive director.
  • Hired a second employee carrying title of Project manager as of 6/2016 whose duties focus on project implementation and grant administration on already awarded grants.

• Successfully host first annual May Member Meeting.
• Establish Alliance office location and acquire needed office equipment and supplies.
  • Office furniture acquired. Office location is a work in progress.

Mid-term goals (by the end of the year):

• Identify and develop 10-15 watershed and lake related projects, keeping recommendations made in pertinent guidance documents in mind. Identify and confirm project owner, participants, physical and financial feasibility and probable grant opportunities for each.
• Write and submit a minimum of 10 grant applications.
  • Twelve grants submitted during 2016, exceeding goal.
• Successfully administrate the six Round 12 WQIP grant awards / stream bank stabilization projects.
  • Work in progress. Construction on 1.5 projects completed in 2016. Implementation ongoing into 2017.
• In person meetings with member organizations at regular intervals.
  • Approximately 76 individual and small group meetings held.
  • Approximately 33 Board meetings attended, the majority requiring communication of Alliance mission and progress updates.

• Creation of Strategic Plans (Short-Term & Long-Term)
  • This goal has not been addressed for long-term strategy. Considering discussion regarding assistance from consulting firm.
• Establish structure and privileges for Friends of the Alliance (aka interested citizens).
  • This goal has not yet been addressed and will remain on the 2017 Goals.

• Determine the most appropriate mix of ways to effectively communicate with the public. An Alliance newsletter, detailed annual report, press releases, online (website & Social media), participation in area events, guest speaker presentations, etc.
  • This is a work in progress.  The Alliance already publishes annual report, online (website and Facebook), participation in area events, and gives guest presentations throughout the year. However, Alliance Board would like to see even more focus on this with additional venues for communications to be maximized.

• Develop and build relationships with state and federal agencies. DEC, NRCS, Southern Tier West, REDC, EPA, etc.
  • Work in progress. However, feel making extremely good impressions on funders thus far by being proactive in grant admin processes and contact them via email and phone very early on after award letter received.
• Assist with finalizing in-lake management plan (MMS) and aid in working through realities of implementation, once plan is finalized.
• Continue to develop our online presence via website and social media. Expand and add to information currently available on the website.
  • 2017 plans to add more detailed content, especially as it relates to current Alliance projects.