To meet the challenges and issues of natural resource management and the needs of members particular to the Province of Ontario, the Ontario Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society (the Chapter), has adopted the following Mandate and Strategic Plan. These statements are intended to be complementary to the parent society's strategic plan, yet specific so that the Society's mission is made relevant to the Ontario member. These statements were reviewed in light of the Chapter's 50th Anniversary in December 200,1 to set the stage for the Chapter's work and functioning in the new millenium and for the next 5 years.
The Ontario Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society fulfills the Society's mission by:
1) offering opportunities for professional development
- provide professional learning opportunities for membership and the public
- identify and address education and technology gaps needed to solve conservation issues
- collaborating with SWCS chapters in US and other provinces on issues of mutual concern - e.g. conservation in boundary and transboundary water basins, climate change impacts on soil and water, and response strategies
2) being an advocate for local, municipal, provincial and federal level conservation issues
- partner with agencies which share common concerns
- influence activities and policies at all levels of government towards improved conservation of land and water resources
- form relationships/engage members working with various agencies across the province
- respond with an objective and interdisciplinary voice to draft policy reviews or inquiry statements
3) supporting education for conservation issues
- provide support (sponsorship, materials, expertise) for natural resource conservation material in school curriculum
- educate public and policy makers of critical conservation issues
- identify emerging conservation issues
4) promoting integrative management of our natural resources
- bring together science and professional judgement from membership and provincial specialists
- prepare position statements representing a multidisciplinary voice and interdisciplinary solution to conservation issues
Most chairs identified that in order to address these activities and pertinent issues the committees need to be built up and functioning. The following 5 items were identified as needing to be addressed before a longer term strategic plan could be developed.
1. Development of description/definition of client base - who do we serve, who do we partner with, who are the contacts
2. Communications Plan - who we are, how to reach, interest and maintain membership
3. Firm base of operation - P.O. Box, web page
4. Build committee membership - layout committee functioning, draw in non-members
5. Build general membership - people to build on committee activities, draw on for energy, support and future committee members