Chautauqua Lake & Watershed Management Alliance
Executive Summary: 2015 Summary
2015 Goals for the Alliance
All goals listed have been achieved in 2015 unless otherwise indicated or can be considered a work in progress. Each goal is listed as written 3/2015 by the Executive Director with italicized summary comments as appropriate under each goal.
Overarching goals of the Alliance:
- Procure state and federal money on behalf of members and their projects. Implementation of the projects identified in the 2010 Watershed Mgt Plan, the in-lake Macrophyte Mgt Plan, the Chautauqua Lake Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP), and other sources.
- Procured over $1 million in state grant dollars for six projects for approximately 7,600’ of stream bank stabilizations in 2015 via Round 12 WQIP. Local leverage ratio of 3:1.
- Implementation 2016 & 2017.
- Define how we will prioritize project funding: Makes sense to be open to both ways of focus. When proposed projects become “shovel ready” we can search for grants to fit with the proposed projects. When grant opportunities arise, we can focus on developing projects to fit, or tweak partially vetted projects to fit the objectives of the known grant source as well as every combination in between. There is a level of matchmaking that will naturally occur depending on when and who brings what to the Alliance’s table and vice versa. Grant funding will be sought for proposed projects, and project proposals will be sought for identified grant funding. If a conflict develops between project proposals, the Board of Directors will have to resolve the conflict based on the specific circumstances.
- Focus has been as described above but could use further clarification and process detail.
- Focused on NOT competing with our fellow nonprofit members or other stakeholders for local dollars.
- No known net impact to fellow nonprofit local funding or contributions.
- 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 Executive Director, by the Alliance Board, as well as the Alliance Members.
- Continue to meet with people, network, & most importantly listen.
- Approximately 70 individual and small group meetings held.
- Approximately 45 special events attended, including 6 Alliance Guest Speaker presentations.
- 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 for most of 2015. Alliance website with published Minutes went live 11/2015.
- Board meetings open to Members starting 6/2015 and open to the general public starting 11/2015.
- Act as point of contact for local community, as well as state and federal entities.
- Fielded inquiries from the general public. Point of contact for state grant awards.
Short term goals for Alliance (to be completed by summer 2015):
- Cement domain name and hosting privileges, establish Executive Directors’ email via this domain name as the start to Brand recognition.
- Establish a logo for the Alliance as the start to Brand recognition.
- Configure a membership fee structure that is equitable and logical.
- Define privileges and responsibilities of membership.
- Secure official founding members via Membership Drive.
- Of 42 target member organizations identified, 31 officially joined as Founding Members.
- Members will then establish a permanent Board of Directors by nominating and voting in final appointees.
- Complete grants.gov registration for the Alliance (federal grants).
- Start to develop relationships with state and federal funding agencies.
- Identify ten grants that can be pursued this year.
- 10 identified, 7 actually submitted in 2015.
- 10 identified, 7 actually submitted in 2015.
- Request of possible funds that can be banked for the sole purpose of local grant matches.
- Conversion of $225k unexpended CLMC funds to Alliance Local Match Fund via County Resolution 131-15.
Mid-term goals for the Alliance (to be completed by end of 2015):
- Assist with finalizing the Macrophyte Management Strategy (MMS).
- Attended all technical review committee meetings held.Attended all technical review committee meetings held.
- Document itself is on last stages of being finalized via CCPED.
- Form several subcommittees utilizing member talents and resources that can aid in guiding the organization.
- Audit Committee established and populated.
- Scientific Review & Advisory Committee and Audit Committee established and populated.
- Establish online presence via a simple website, facebook page, etc. Will have links to member sites. This will further establish brand recognition.
- Facebook established 4/2015 and website went live 11/2015.
- Establish Alliance office location and acquire needed office equipment and supplies.
- Work in Progress.
- Establish structure and privileges for Friends of the Alliance.
- Work in Progress, discussed at Governance Committee level only