Western Chapter Strategic Plan

SWS Western Chapter - Thoughts on Chapter Goals and Objectives (2007-2009)

Prepared by Eric Stein - Western Chapter President-elect
September 26, 2006

The following goals represent my initial thoughts on priorities for the Chapter over the next couple of years. These are my general thoughts in light of what I know about the Society's strategic vision, conversations with current Chapter President Chad Roberts, and my personal feelings about Chapter needs. Each goal is followed by several action items that could be pursued to help achieve the goal. I welcome discussion on this and look forward to working with the Chapter Board and membership to achieve these goals.

I believe our fundamental goal should be to make SWS and the Chapter relevant to our membership and to the community of wetland professionals at large. People will only allocate their precious limited time and/or seek out SWS if they believe they benefit by the interaction. To accomplish this goal, I propose the following objectives:

Objectives

1. Increase active membership in Chapter, in particular solicit participation from AZ, and NV

• Use contacts at Corps, EPA, and other agencies to identify potential point people in each state who could be SWS representatives
• Outreach and participate in meetings of other societies with comparable goals, whose members may be interested in SWS (e.g. upcoming ASLO meeting in Santa Fe)
• Develop program for student outreach and recruitment, including possible special student symposium at Chapter conferences. Work with key faculty to accomplish this objective

2. Position Chapter to be viewed as a technical resource by managers and policy makers

• Partner with key organizations that operate at interface of science and application, such as WRP, AWRA, SETAC, CalCoast, ASWM.
• Explore option of teaming with WRP (and other) Science Panels on their production (or peer review) of "wetland restoration uncertainty" white papers.
• Work with contacts at SWRCB to identify opportunities for SWS to participate in review of new programs and policies (e.g. Val Connor)
• Work with regional management entities, such as WRP and RMP to engage SWS members as technical reviewers
• Establish chapter "wetland concerns committee" to serve as a standing resource for technical review, include mechanism to allow for compensation of people for serving on technical review committees

3. Develop role for Chapter in outreach and education

• Devote portion of web site to materials for educators and outreach
• Partner with public education entities, such as Aquarium of the Pacific, Monterey Bay aquarium on developing education and outreach
• Establish forum for information exchange and dialogue among members (see web site proposal below)
• Encourage regional representatives to plan local activities (e.g. seminars, field trips, workshops) for members and other interested scientists

Web site

Establishment and use of a functional Chapter web site will be key to achieving our objectives, and should be our first priority. The web site should be a communication resource for members and a portal to facilitate interaction of others with SWS. This web site should be interactive and seen as a resource by members and others to connect with Chapter resources, needs and opportunities. The site could include sections on the following:

• News, articles of interest, new policy or program announcements
• New journal articles and/or abstract of thesis/dissertations
• Job opportunities
• Grant opportunities
• Discussion forums
• Member opportunities - post willingness or need for help by SWS members on tech committees, etc.
• Solicitation of topics for technical review by membership Upcoming conferences and events
• In-depth information/resources on a topic or conference session
• Local wetland profiles and events (e.g. major acquisitions or restorations) - links to project-specific web sites

To achieve this goal, we would need a committed web master. I propose that we hire a web designer to help develop the site and explore the option of providing a stipend for somebody to take on the role of web master?

Ideas for 2008 Chapter Conference

• Explore option of partnering with other societies or groups, such as AWRA, CalCoast, CAERS, SETAC, WRP
• Explore option of doing a joint conference with the North-Pacific Chapter. The recent tri-state agreement on ocean policy between CA, OR, and WA could be a foil for this event.
• Explore option of working with ASWM to help broaden west coast coordination between SWS and ASWM
• Emphasize outreach and education by having special sessions for undergraduate and graduate students and/or participation by secondary school teachers and students (may need to offer scholarships for this)

Sponsorship and Funding

To accomplish these goals, we will need to develop reliable funding sources to support Chapter activities. In addition to revenue generated by Chapter conferences, I propose we pursue ongoing/annual institutional sponsorships. Sponsoring organizations would have their logos and links on the Chapter web site and could receive additional benefits at Chapter events. There would need to be a clear understanding that sponsorship does not cannot endorsement by SWS nor allow use the SWS logo or representation without explicit permission. An ad-hoc sponsorship committee would need to develop written procedures for adoption by the Chapter.

Subcommittees

One person cannot accomplish these goals alone. If we are to be successful, I will look to the other Chapter officers and representatives to take leadership roles in accomplishing specific objectives that are of personal interest. To that end, I propose that we establish several ad-hoc committees to focus on key initiatives for the Chapter. Each committee should be led by a Chapter officer, representative, or active member:

• Outreach and communication
• Nominations
• Awards
• Web site
• Sponsorship
• Membership
• Activities

The first three (Outreach and communication, nominations, and awards) are standing committees established by our by-laws. I propose that we establish the others as special committees. If they prove to be useful and successful, we can consider amending our by-laws to make them standing committees at a later date.

This is an exciting time for the Chapter. Under Chad's leadership, we approved Chapter by-laws and elected our first slate of officers in more than five years. Building on these past successes and the upcoming International Conference in Sacramento, I believe we are poised to develop an engaged and invigorated Chapter. I look forward to working with.