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FACT SHEET 

Volunteer with the St. Joseph County SWCD board! 

Become a Supervisor or an Associate Supervisor

  

Our Board of Supervisors is comprised of 5 Elected/Appointed Supervisors who rely on the assistance of our dedicated group of Volunteers designated as “Associate Supervisors”

  

SUPERVISORS

      As a SWCD Supervisor, you are part of a respected, progressive governmental organization that is responsible for the effective management of Indiana's soil and water resources and the environment in which we live. To function effectively as a Supervisor, it is imperative that you have a clear understanding of your duties, the programs you represent, and the complex issues surrounding soil and water conservation.

      Each of Indiana's 92 SWCDs has 5 Supervisors, therefore, you have 460 fellow Supervisors statewide and 18,000 nationwide. SWCD Supervisors share the important task of helping your fellow citizens wisely develop, use, and protect our nation's soil and water resources.

      As a Supervisor, you are not a volunteer (although it is an unpaid position). Rather, you are a government official, elected or appointed, charged with overseeing the affairs of your local Conservation District. Of the 5 Supervisors, 3 are elected and 2 are appointed. District Supervisors are elected or appointed at the St. Joseph County SWCD Annual Meeting, usually held during the month of January. All 5 Supervisors serve three-year terms.

 

According to Indiana State Law, to become a Supervisor you must:

  • Be of voting age

  • Maintain permanent residence within the County

  • Be qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of Supervisor

      

      The Board of Supervisors has the ethical and legal responsibility to ensure that the SWCD meets our MISSION and PLAN OF WORK. Supervisors set policies for day-to-day office operations and prioritize projects. The Board of Supervisors also determines the need for additional staff members, works cooperatively with other agencies and local officials, and assists with the attainment of operational funds.

      There are twelve monthly board meetings (typically held on the third Tuesday of each month ... but check our CALENDAR for updates), and a few special meetings throughout the year including the Annual Meeting and various committee meetings. Many excellent leadership training opportunities arise throughout the course of the year that allow Supervisors to attend workshops, conferences, and events on an area, state, or even national level. These opportunities are a great way to learn more about the prominent conservation issues that face the community.

  

To learn more, click on over to:

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture's Soil & Water Conservation District Page (including a link to the SWCD Operations Guide)

  

ASSOCIATE SUPERVISORS

As a SWCD Associate Supervisor:

  • You assist the 5 Supervisors with carrying out our mission and plan of work

  • We know your time is valuable. The criteria for being an Associate Supervisor typically entails

    • Attending at least one SWCD activity/program

    • At least one board meeting during the calendar year. Board meeting schedules posted on our homepapge

  • You may choose to attend monthly Board Meetings to offer your expertise on local conservation issues

  • You may choose to become involved in SWCD activities/events, such as assisting at field days, assisting with educational programs, joining committees, or helping with other tasks and activities

  • You may become an Associate Supervisor at any time. The typical process starts with attending a few Board Meetings and/or volunteering your time by attending Committee Meetings, assisting with SWCD Events, etc. This gives you a feel of whether joining our Board as an Associate Supervisor is a good fit. If you decide you would like to formally become an Associate Supervisor (rather than a less formal “volunteer”), just let a Staff Member or Supervisor know, and at the next Board Meeting, we’ll go through the process of making it official.

  • Typically, our Supervisors start out as Associate Supervisors who are up for the challenge and the opportunity to take things a step further for the benefit of our community’s natural resource conservation.

  

St. Joseph County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). The St. Joseph County SWCD and USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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