Copyright © 2024 National Association of State Conservation Agencies | All Rights Reserved
PO Box 613 • Stevens Point, WI 54481
715-340-0681
At a wildlife lodge in northwest Alabama, staff and leadership from the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee (ALSWCC), the Alabama Association of Conservation Districts (AACD), and the Alabama Conservation District Employees Association (ACDEA) gathered last summer for a retreat. The event brought the teams together to strengthen bonds, improve communication and develop joint strategies for the coming year.
“This retreat was a huge success in getting our conservation team focused and working cohesively towards our goals,” said Ashley Henderson, ALSWCC Assistant Executive Director. “By taking a break from our daily grind, we were able to reconnect, recharge, and recalibrate our approach. We felt like this approach could be good for our team because we were building on a successful but less intense event from the previous year.”
Part of the retreat focused on team building and provided an opportunity for participants to evaluate their individual strengths and weaknesses, laying a foundation for building a more cohesive team. Guest speakers covered topics from managing life’s challenges to mental health and self-care. Meals were served family-style to create a relaxed atmosphere for conversation and bonding. After hours activities like wildlife rides and long conversations with host, professional fisherman Timmy Horton, rounded out the experience.
In addition to team building, the group spent time reviewing accomplishments and changes from the prior year and focused on four priorities for the future: presence, capacity, programs, and districts. One major outcome was beginning a long overdue overhaul of the Alabama Conservation Incentive Program.
“We really took a hard look at our incentive program and how we could better serve Alabama landowners through it,” explained Kathy Gotcher, Senior Conservationist and team lead for the CIP program revamp. “The open discussion sand planning sessions gave us a roadmap for revamping and expanding this critical state program.”
The retreat also allowed the group to evaluate their brand, relationships withpartners, outreach efforts, and strategies for engaging and educating decision makers on the important work of soil and water conservation in Alabama.
“Getting our teams together away from the office was invaluable,” said Dr. William Puckett, ALSWCC Executive Director. “The connections formed and plans made have paid dividends. Over the last 10 months, we have accomplished 85 percent of the goals we outlined during the retreat. There’s no doubt it was time well spent.”
– Story by Laura Smith, Communication Coordinator
Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee
At a wildlife lodge in northwest Alabama, staff and leadership from the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee (ALSWCC), the Alabama Association of Conservation Districts (AACD), and the Alabama Conservation District Employees Association (ACDEA) gathered last summer for a retreat. The event brought the teams together to strengthen bonds, improve communication and develop joint strategies for the coming year.
“This retreat was a huge success in getting our conservation team focused and working cohesively towards our goals,” said Ashley Henderson, ALSWCC Assistant Executive Director. “By taking a break from our daily grind, we were able to reconnect, recharge, and recalibrate our approach. We felt like this approach could be good for our team because we were building on a successful but less intense event from the previous year.”
Part of the retreat focused on team building and provided an opportunity for participants to evaluate their individual strengths and weaknesses, laying a foundation for building a more cohesive team. Guest speakers covered topics from managing life’s challenges to mental health and self-care. Meals were served family-style to create a relaxed atmosphere for conversation and bonding. After hours activities like wildlife rides and long conversations with host, professional fisherman Timmy Horton, rounded out the experience.
In addition to team building, the group spent time reviewing accomplishments and changes from the prior year and focused on four priorities for the future: presence, capacity, programs, and districts. One major outcome was beginning a long overdue overhaul of the Alabama Conservation Incentive Program.
“We really took a hard look at our incentive program and how we could better serve Alabama landowners through it,” explained Kathy Gotcher, Senior Conservationist and team lead for the CIP program revamp. “The open discussion sand planning sessions gave us a roadmap for revamping and expanding this critical state program.”
The retreat also allowed the group to evaluate their brand, relationships withpartners, outreach efforts, and strategies for engaging and educating decision makers on the important work of soil and water conservation in Alabama.
“Getting our teams together away from the office was invaluable,” said Dr. William Puckett, ALSWCC Executive Director. “The connections formed and plans made have paid dividends. Over the last 10 months, we have accomplished 85 percent of the goals we outlined during the retreat. There’s no doubt it was time well spent.”
– Story by Laura Smith, Communication Coordinator
Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committe
Copyright © 2024 National Association of State Conservation Agencies | All Rights Reserved
PO Box 613 • Stevens Point, WI 54481
715-340-0681