Dear Members
and Supporters,
As 2004 comes to a close, I want to thank you for all
your work to protect Virginia’s air, water, and lands.
Although, we still have a long “row to hoe” ahead of us,
we have made progress in promoting an environmental sound
agenda for Virginia.
Best wishes for 2005, may it be a “green” one!
Sincerely,
Martha Wingfield
Virginia Conservation Network, President
NEWS
ITEMS
GOVERNOR
WARNER RELEASES HIS BUDGET—PUBLIC HEARINGS AROUND THE
STATE
Last week Governor Warner released his budget. The Governor’s
budget increases funding for Natural Resources by $39
million over the next two years. The majority of the money
will go to the Water Quality Improvement Fund. State law
mandates if there is a surplus that 10% of the money goes
to the Water Quality improvement fund. The 12-10-4 edition
of E-News included details of the Governor’s transportation
spending. To view the budget go to: http://www.dpb.state.va.us/
The public will have a chance to speak out on the Governor's
amendments. The House Appropriations and Senate Finance
Committees of the Virginia General Assembly will hold
regional public hearings as follows.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2005
Hearings begin at noon.
Spotsylvania County -- Germanna Community College Fredericksburg
Area Campus
Wytheville -- Wytheville Community College Grayson Commons
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2005
Hearings begin at noon
Norfolk -- Tidewater Community College Downtown Campus
- Roper Performing Arts Center
Middletown --Lord Fairfax Community College Special Events
Center
Alexandria --Northern Virginia Community College Schlesinger
Center, 3001 N. Beauregard Street, Alexandria
MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 2005
Hearing begins at 1 p.m.
Richmond-- General Assembly Building, House Room D
The purpose of the hearings is to receive comments on
the Governor's proposed amendments to the 2004-2006 state
budget. Those persons wishing to speak may register at
the official registration table at each hearing site no
earlier than one hour prior to the start of the hearing.
Speakers will be taken in the order of registration. Each
person may register only one speaker at a time. Speakers
are asked to limit their comments to three minutes or
less. Speakers representing groups and organizations should
consolidate remarks to reduce duplication.
Persons unable to attend may comment in writing to either:
Delegate Vincent F. Callahan, Jr.
P.O. Box 406, General Assembly Building
Richmond, Virginia 23218
OR Senator John H. Chichester
10th Floor General Assembly Building
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Directions to each of the meeting locations is available
on the House Appropriations Committee website: http://hac.state.va.us/News.htm
BLOXOM TO SERVE AS FIRST SECRETARY
OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTS
By Christina Nuckols
The Virginian-Pilot
MOSELEY - Retired Eastern Shore legislator Robert S. Bloxom
was named Virginia's first secretary of agriculture and
forestry Thursday.
The Accomack Republican promised to be an advocate for
the preservation of farms and forests . He also vowed
to develop new national and foreign markets for Virginia
farm products.
Bloxom, 67, served in the House of Delegates for 26 years
and focused much of his attention on agricultural and
environmental issues. He also was chairman of the multi-state
Chesapeake Bay Commission.
Bloxom said he hopes to ease tensions between the agricultural
industry and Bay clean-up efforts by helping farmers pay
for pollution buffers for streams and improved poultry
waste disposal.
Gov. Mark R. Warner said he selected Bloxom because he
is respected by members of both political parties in the
legislature.
"You've got to make sure that the first person out
of the box does a great job," Warner said.
As a Cabinet secretary, Bloxom will collect a $135,000
salary, plus benefits estimated at an additional $23,000.
The total annual cost for creating the new office is anticipated
to be $544,000, which includes compensation for Bloxom
and four support staffers. The office will oversee two
existing state agencies and two policy boards that previously
fell under the Secretary of Commerce and Trade.
Warner promised to create the new position during his
campaign for governor in 2001. A handful of lawmakers
questioned the need for an 11th Cabinet secretary, but
a bipartisan majority of the General Assembly approved
the measure earlier this year.
Bloxom will be one of two Republicans in Warner's Cabinet.
The other is Jane H. Woods, secretary of health and human
resources.
Farm and forestry advocates were in a festive mood as
they gathered for the announcement at a Christmas tree
farm outside Richmond. They sipped apple cider from foam
cups and admired the holiday wreaths on display. Warner
waved a coffee-stained petition dated 1985 to remind them
how long they have been asking for a secretariat.
"We're very tickled," said Paul R. Howe, executive
vice president of the Virginia Forestry Association.
Martha Moore, director of governmental relations for the
Virginia Farm Bureau, said her organization plans to work
with Bloxom to increase marketing efforts for agricultural
products and to abolish the estate tax.
Bloxom said he is looking for a residence in Richmond
but will keep his home on the Eastern Shore. He will serve
only one year unless he is reappointed by the next governor.
NOMINEE FOR VA AG SECRETARY DONATED
EASEMENT
Governor Mark Warner's nominee for the Commonwealth's
first Secretary of Agriculture & Forestry, Robert
S. Bloxom, this year donated a conservation easement on
his own family farm, according to the Virginia Eastern
Shore Land Trust. The Republican former state delegate
said farmland protection will be a top priority during
his tenure in the new cabinet position.
Mr. Bloxom and his wife, Patricia, donated the conservation
easement November 12 on their 139.5 acre farm, Cedar Grove,
on Mutton Hunk Branch and White's Creek on the seaside
of Accomack County. The easement preserves 43 acres of
farmland, 72 acres of forest and 18.5 acres of marsh.
The easement is co-held by the VES Land Trust and The
Nature Conservancy.
"Bob Bloxom is committed to the conservation of working
farm and forest land," said VES Land Trust Stewardship
Manager Peter N. Henderson. "We think he'll get these
issues the attention they need in Richmond as the state's
Secretary of Agriculture," he added.
MEMBER ORGANIZATION REQUESTS
AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
SAVE THE DATE – VCN LOBBY DAY – JANUARY 17
The 2005 Legislative Session is right around the corner.
Be prepared –come to the annual VCN Lobby Day. It will
be held at the Valentine Richmond History Center 1015
East Clay Street, Richmond, Virginia. Register online
at www.vcnva.org.
SAVE THE DATE – VCN CELEBRATION
OF 35 YEARS OF SERVICE
April 28, 2005
- - Mark your calendar now for the kick-off of what will
be an annual fundraising event for VCN. The 2005 theme
will be the celebration of 35 years of service by VCN
and its predecessor organization the Conservation Council
of Virginia (CCVA). We will look at our history, note
the landmark action in 1971 to amend the Virginia Constitution
to add Article XI (the conservation function), witness
significant events, and honor some of the environmental
pioneers of the movement.
The event will be held in the Omni Hotel in downtown Richmond
on April 28, 2005. Seating will be limited. For more information
or to assure seating call or send a message to the VCN
office and ask that a place be reserved for you. Details
will be posted soon on our website
VIRGINIA
CLEAN AIR ADVOCATES LAUNCH WEBSITE--www.cleanairva.org
Virginia Clean
Air Advocates is an adhoc group dedicated to the mobilization
and coordination of resources to better educate the public
and policy-makers about effective public policy initiatives
that will improve the quality of the outdoor air across
the Commonwealth. The group is affiliated with the Virginia
Conservation Network and serves as the Air Quality Work
Group for the organization.
JOB
OPPORTUNITIES
VIRGINIA
CONSERVATION NETWORK EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION
VIRGINIA CONSERVATION NETWORK
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Title: Executive Director
Reports to: Board of Directors
Hours: 40 hours per week
Background:
The mission of the Virginia Conservation Network (VCN)
is to protect the Commonwealth’s air, lands and waters
for the benefit of the people, as guaranteed by the Virginia
Constitution. VCN is comprised of over 100 member organizations
committed to protecting Virginia’s natural resources.
VCN is a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) charitable organization supported
by membership dues, grants and individual contributions.
See www.vcnva.org for further information.
Scope of Responsibility:
VCN seeks a highly organized self-starter to fill this
position. The Executive Director is responsible for directing
and managing all components of the VCN’s operation, including
but not limited to short and long-range planning, legislative
programs and policies, communications and outreach, and
fund development. The Executive Director must work closely
and effectively with the Board and its committees and
is responsible for managing VCN’s day-to-day fiscal affairs.
The Executive Director is accountable to a Board of Directors
made up of at-large members from around the Commonwealth.
Description of Duties:
Development/Fundraising/Membership
• Responsible with the Board for ensuring adequate income
to support the programs of VCN.
• Coordinate organizational membership recruitment and
dues.
• Conduct research on prospects in all categories (foundations,
individuals, etc.)
• Research, write, submit and track foundation proposals
with timely follow-up.
• Coordinate Annual Fund mailings and donor acknowledgments.
• Maintain records for development and membership activities.
Fiscal/Administrative
• Responsible for financial management and records and
supervising part-time accounting service.
• Prepare budgets and reports to the board.
• Prepare annual workplan and work with board on long-term
plans.
• Maintain appropriate program, donor, and fiscal records.
Legislative Programs
• Coordinate information, report and analyze activities
in the legislature and before administrative boards and
commissions.
• Facilitate relationships with policymakers through small
group meetings and regional legislative forums.
• Working with the Legislative Committee, establish consensus
priorities on conservation issues through regular workshops
and regional legislative forums.
• Present priority issues to members, the press, and legislators,
and identify appropriate experts.
• Coordinate legislative contact teams.
Communications/Outreach/Training and Education
• Develop and distribute information in a variety of media:
newsletter, e-mail networks, mailings as appropriate
• Maintain and improve website.
• Develop and organize workshops, training sessions, and
legislative forums for VCN member organizations and community
leaders.
• Organize and work with Board Committees on major annual
forums: the Virginia Environmental Assembly, Annual Meeting,
Legislative briefing and lobby days, annual fundraiser
and receptions.
• Regularly evaluate services to members.
Qualifications:
• Enthusiasm for environmental protection.
• B. A. or B. S. and at least three years of work experience
in a relevant field with demonstrated success.
• Well organized, able to juggle multiple projects at
once with excellent attention to detail.
• Demonstrated development/fundraising success.
• Solid computer skills (general office systems, Word,
Excel, etc.)
• Experience in working effectively with volunteer boards
• Experience in working effectively with donors and members.
• Experience dealing with elected officials and legislative
staffs.
• High energy and determination to develop VCN to meets
its mission and objectives.
TO APPLY:
No calls please. Virginia Conservation Network is an equal
opportunity employer. Please submit resume and cover letter
by January 30, 2005. Position is currently open. Send
cover letter and resume to: Martha Wingfield, President,
Virginia Conservation Network, 1001 East Broad Street,
Suite LL 35-C, Richmond, VA 23219.
VIRGINIA
LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS—NORTHERN VIRGINIA COORDINATOR
December, 2004
About the Organization: The Virginia League of Conservation
Voters (VALCV) is a nonprofit 501 (c)(4) organization
that was formed in 2000. We serve as the nonpartisan political
action arm of the state’s conservation community. Our
mission is to preserve and enhance the quality of life
of all Virginians by making conservation a top priority
with Virginia’s elected officials, political candidates,
and voters. VALCV does this by helping to elect conservation
leaders to public office, educating them on issues, and
holding them accountable for their actions and votes.
(www.valcv.org)
The NOVA Coordinator would be shared with the Virginia
League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (VALCV-EF).
VALCV-EF is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization affiliated
with VALCV, whose mission is to build the grassroots advocacy
capacity of Virginia’s conservation community and to maximize
the participation of voters in conservation policy decisions
made at the state and local levels. (www.valcvef.org)
About the NOVA Coordinator position: The NOVA Coordinator
is a full time position split between the Virginia League
of Conservation Voters and VALCV Education Fund. The Coordinator
is responsible for creating and implementing programs
in the counties of Loudoun, Fairfax, Fauquier, and Prince
William. The Coordinator will provide staff support to
citizen groups who wish to influence the decision-making
of local officials in land use policy, land conservation,
transportation, air and water quality, historic preservation
and environmental issues. The staff support will include
media communications, coalition-building, political organizing,
and legislative advocacy at the Board of Supervisors level
and for General Assembly campaigns in the region. Some
portion of the position will be devoted to citizen education
and outreach, research, and grant writing for VALCV-Education
Fund’s programs.
Specific Responsibilities:
• Communicate regularly with VALCV’s Executive Director;
• Increase the prominence of the conservation agenda throughout
the region with message development
• Coordinate VALCV local outreach and formation of grassroots
campaign and advocacy network;
• Support the development of a Local PAC Partner in each
of the counties within the region
• Provide guidance to Local PAC Partners on local political
strategy including candidate recruitment and training
• Track Supervisor voting records and publicize periodically
in a county Scorecard
• Supervise interns and volunteers
• Implement political campaign field programs for VALCV’s
endorsed candidates;
• Develop a communications strategy with activists across
the region including voter education programs and volunteer
training opportunities;
• Write and distribute newsletters and press releases;
• Assist with fundraising efforts; research foundations;
help to write grants to fund new and existing programs;
• Build relationships with other political and interest
groups;
• Complete other duties as assigned.
Experience and Qualifications:
• Commitment to the vision and mission of VALCV;
• Ability to manage own time and shift readily between
various assignments;
• Ability to work long hours when required and travel
to different parts of region as needed; own transportation
required
• Possess exceptional communications, interpersonal, organizational,
and verbal/written skills;
• Experience working on electoral and/or environmental
issue campaigns;
• Exceptional computer skills
• Familiarity with Northern Virginia’s political landscape
and conservation issues is a plus.
Salary and Benefits: Competitive nonprofit salary commensurate
with experience + stipend for benefits
To apply/contact: Send cover letter, resume, 3 references
and an original writing sample to:
Ms. Lisa Guthrie; Executive Director
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
530 East Main Street; Suite 820
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 225-1902; fax: (804) 225-1904
VirLCV@aol.com
Desired Starting Date: January, 2005
Equal Opportunity Employer
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR –JAMES RIVER ASSOCIATION
The James River Association is the guardian for the James
River watershed in Virginia. It provides a voice for the
river and takes action to promote conservation and responsible
stewardship of its natural resources. Through its Riverkeeper,
Riparian Lands Restoration, Education and Outreach Activities
and other core programs, the Association works diligently
to protect the unique resources of the River.
Established in 1976, the organization is recognized as
one of the top five environmental organizations in Virginia.
The James River Association, located in Richmond, Virginia,
has an annual budget of approximately $600,000 with support
from over 2400 active members, foundations and corporations.
Please visit our website at www.jamesriverassociation.org
for more information.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION
The Executive Director reports to the Chairman of the
Board and performs duties assigned by the Board, Executive
Committee and Chairman. The Executive Director is responsible
for the day-to-day operations of the JRA Office which
includes the following functions:
• Recruit, train, motivate and manage office staff.
• Develop strategic plans, set goals and objectives, make
policy decisions, prioritize resources and assign work
responsibilities.
• Oversee the annual budget process, fiscal management,
oversee funding and grant applications.
• Implement and oversee JRA’s core programs (Education
and Outreach, Watershed Restoration, Riverkeeper, Advocacy,
etc.).
• Represent JRA on state boards and commissions.
• Establish and maintain appropriate contacts and relationships
with the public, other conservation and environmental
groups, state regulatory agencies and the legislature.
• Represent JRA with the press and other media outlets.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
The successful candidate will have a proven record of
accomplishment and at least five years of strong management
and leadership experience, preferably in a 501(c)(3).
Candidates must possess a strategic orientation, financial/fiscal
management skills, strong staff development and motivational
skills, strong written/verbal communications skills, strong
computer skills (Microsoft Office, QuickBooks Pro and
fundraising software) and technical competency in an environmental/conservation-related
field. A graduate level degree in environmental policy
or science is preferred.
To apply for this position, please submit your resume
and cover letter with salary history by e-mail to barry.marten@siemens.com
or by mail to:
Mr. Barry Marten
8 Lavelle Court
Williamsburg, VA 23185
Resumes must be received by January 31, 2005 to be considered.
*****************************************************************
VCN's mission is to protect the Commonwealth's air, lands,
and waters for the benefit of the people, as guaranteed
by the Virginia Constitution.
If you have an item that should be included on this list,
please send it to Ellen Shepard at ellenshepard@yahoo.com.
VCN E-NEWS is emailed the second and fourth Friday of
every month, except during the session when it is weekly.
Deadline for submissions is Thursday.
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