DON’T TALK ABOUT IT, SHOW THEM!

We want YOU to participate running for office!

Marion Soil and Water Conservation District will have 4 Board positions opening by May of 2010.  This is not an official notice, this is information only.

Here is your opportunity to contribute to farmland preservation in harmony with all our natural resources and wildlife, sustainable farms, organic farms, small family farms, organic production, local sustainable food sources, community gardens, riparian waterways corridors for fish and wildlife, and a balanced ecosystem.  Come help ameliorate the meaning and application of conservation in Marion Soil and Water’s current conservation programs.  Please run for one of the 4 Board positions opening this year.  These positions need dedicated, forward thinking, innovative, compassionate, and hardworking farmers, gardeners. Oregon Tilth Certified operations, politicians, innovators, slow food folks, and folks who can see the need to preserve our organic and natural way of living off the land.  Here is your chance to have your say and help organics and sustainable land management take a stand in Marion County. 

As quoted right from the SWCD guidelines:

As a district director, you have a unique niche as the grass roots representative of landowners and the general public in your community, providing leadership and direction to bring volunteer cooperation in natural resource conservation programs. Upon taking the oath of office you agreed to carry out the responsibilities of your position in accordance with the Oregon Soil and Water Conservation District Law (ORS 568.210 to 568.808).

Director Role & Responsibilities

v     Identify local conservation needs and develop, implement, and evaluate programs to meet them.

v     Educate and inform landowners and operators, general public, and local, state and federal legislators on conservation issues and programs.

v     Supervise other volunteers and paid staff working with the district; coordinate with cooperating agency personnel.

v     Administer the district by delegating tasks through a structure of board officers and members, committees, and others. Raise and budget district funds, and report on activities to the public.

v     Coordinate assistance and funding from federal, state, and local government; district associations; and private groups.

v     Set policy for staff to implement

v     Is elected by the voters during the November General Election. After meeting all eligibility requirements, serves a four-year, non-paid term of office.

v     Attends a board meeting once a month.  They are usually held the first Wednesday of each month beginning at 7:00pm at the District office.

v     Actively participates during meetings.

v     Comes prepared to meetings by reading agendas, minutes and other materials sent out prior to the board meetings.

v     Reads and becomes familiar with the Oregon Soil & Water Conservation District Laws and uses the Oregon Soil & Water Conservation District’s Guidebook.

Benefits:

Satisfaction in seeing conservation practices applied.

v     Interaction with others interested in natural resource conservation.

v     Input into local, state, and federal conservation programs.

v     Training through Oregon Association of Conservation Districts and Oregon Department of Agriculture.

The positions that will become available in 2010 are: Zones: 2, 3, 5 and At-Large 1. The zone positions include the Salem-Keizer area, Mt. Angel-Woodburn area, and Silverton-Stayton-east county areas. You may go to Marion Soil and Water Conservations website to view the Zone map.

Oregon Department of Agriculture administrates the election process. They will publicize the positions that will be available (zones 2,3,5 and At Large 1) 

sometime in early Spring, and will require Declaration of candidacy and petition forms be received back sometime in early Summer, but be prepared to file by early Spring for a November 2010 Elections Ballot.  Please keep posted to Marion Soil and Water Conservation website: http://marionswcd.net/, once the public notice is published in local papers, it will also be posted to the District's website.

In the voter’s pamphlet do include your photo in accordance to Election regulations; the fee is nominal to run – under $100.0 dollars.  Do say all you can about what you will do for the citizens of Marion County, how you will do this, and why you will do this.  Tell them who you are, what you do (farm, organics, politician, producer?) what you have accomplished, and what you will bring to the Board and MSWC vision for it’s future.  Do tell them about what you want for Marion Soil and Water Conservation District as well as for organics and sustainable farming and conservation practices goals for the next 5 years.

DO FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES OUTLINING WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RUN FOR OFFICE.  We don’t want you to win and then be disqualified because of a guideline overlook.  DO double-check the guidelines with Marion County Elections office listed below.

****Qualified applicants for any of the positions must live and be a registered voter within Marion County.  Applicants for the zone director positions must also own or manage 10 or more acres of land within the zone to qualify.  There are no land ownership or management requirements to hold an at-large director position.**** 

If you have any questions feel free to contact the following organizations:  Marion Soil and Water Conservation District at 503-399-5741, Oregon Department Of Agriculture at 503-986-4550, Marion County Elections Department at 503-588-5041, or Jayne Miller, Director District 4, 503-743-2318.  All of us will be happy to help you.

I have been told and it appears to me that  

the Marion Soil & Water Conservation District is an equal opportunity employer, providing services to the public without regard to race, national origin, color, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.