Cumberland Conservation Collaborative

Meeting Notes – July 23, 2013 – Bosler Library, Carlisle

 

Rick Rovegno welcomed the group; self-introductions were made.  Attendees are listed at the end of these notes.

 

Rick provided an overview of the Collaborative’s plans to acquire the 501(c)(3) status of the Coalition for a Sustainable Future (CSF).  CCC can assume CSF’s 501(c)(3) status as long as the missions of the two groups are close.  Procedurally we will hold a joint meeting with CSF later in the year.  Their officers will resign and we will select a new board and adopt their by-laws – thus becoming CSF.  We can adjust by-laws, names and organizational objectives later.  John Oszustowicz is looking into the details.  Copies of the CSF by-laws and management directive will be emailed to attendees.

 

A question was asked regarding officers and directors insurance – does CSF have such policies?  Rick stated that would require research.  A general discussion followed regarding the possession of officers and directors insurance by the individual CCC member organizations.

 

Jerry Wilkes presented his draft initial work plan and first year objectives.  The group provided no further suggestions.

 

Rick stated that there will be a kick off meeting by the Cumberland County Commissioners on strategic financial management.  The contractor assisting the Commissioners will be holding public meetings to ascertain what the public wants Cumberland County to do. CCC will find out when the public meetings will be held and notify the membership. The contractor will be invited to meet with the CCC to hear our combined views – but that should not discourage individual members from attending the public meetings and speaking up for their individual organizations.

 

There was discussion about recent press coverage of farmland preservation and other environmentally oriented concerns.  Harold Kertes gave an excellent overview of the Preserve Silver Spring movement and its methods and goals.  Rick noted that this will be the first year in 25 years that there is no money in the County budget for farmland preservation.

 

The group considered Becca Raley’s long and short versions of Guiding Principles for Public Education & Policy Advocacy; the short version was adopted unanimously by voice vote.

 

Under “For the good of the order”:

• Excellent discussion of need for stream reclamation from animal waste spoilage

• College students can be available for student service projects

• Gov. Corbett just signed legislation on the creation of local storm water authorities

 

Rick adjourned the meeting stating that members should expect a joint meeting with CSF in mid to late September.

 

(added)

 

Action items from Rick Rovegno:

 

R. Rovegno:

• Coordinate a meeting with the citizens group to start the process of transferring CSF’s 501(c)3.

• Explore whether a meeting can be arranged with the consultant doing County’s strategic mission review.

John Oszustowicz:

• Research directors and officers liability insurance requirements (does citizens group have it?).

• Is it possible to “package” coverage with other groups in the Collaboration or through PANO?

Jerry Wilkes

• Commence introductory reach out meetings with participating organizations.

• Complete work plan description/outline.

• Initial assessment of opportunities for coordinated action among participants.

All

• Commence being visible at public meetings and public forums (letters to the editors, etc.) using “Guiding Principles for Public Education and Policy Advocacy” (attached), which were adopted at July’s meeting.

• Monitor and attend as possible County meetings for the strategic assessment of mission.  Advocate for environmental stewardship as a core function.

 

CCC Meeting Attendees

 

Bosler Library

7/23/13

 

Au Thomas                      Clean Air Board                                           thomxau@gmail.com

Ciarrocca James           Dickinson College                                       ciarrocj@dickinson.edu

Farr Shireen                   CVVB                                                               shireen@visitcumberlandvalley.com

Freedman Gil                 CCWA                                                              gil491@verizon.net

Garrett Paul                   Mechanicsburg E.C.; Camp Hill E.C.      paulgarrett40@comcast.net

Hoffler Jim                     CVRTC                                                             hoffler@dickinson.edu

Kertes Harold                Preserve Silver Spring                                hkertes@verizon.net

Mowery Donald            Cumberland Co. Ag Land Preservation           dhmowery@rsmowery.com

Richards Susan            Capital RC&D                                                  srichards@capitalrcd.org

Rovegno Rick                Citizen                                                              rlrovegno@comcast.net

Schmidlein Bob            CVRJC                                                              bobspatc@comcast.net

Smith Holly                   Audubon PA                                                    hsmith@audubon.org

Tuckey Jane                   CVATC                                                              jetkey@pa.net

Weary Boyd                   Farmland Preserve                                       wearyb@centurylink.net

Weigl Herb                     LeTort Regional Authority                         herbweigl@gmail.com

Wilkes Jerry                  CCC                                                                   jwilkes100@gmail.com

Williams Stephanie    Cumberland County Govt.                          sjwilliams@ccpa.net

Witwer Gail                   Carlisle Area Health and Wellness Foundation       gwitwer@cahwf.org

 

As approved 7/23/2013

 

Cumberland Conservation Collaborative

Guiding Principles for Public Education and Policy Advocacy

 

Who We Are

 

The Cumberland Conservation Collaborative (CCC) is a partnership of community organizations, business leaders, educational institutions, governmental agencies and citizens united in voice and action to enhance the quality of life in Cumberland County by restoring, enhancing and protecting our natural resources.

 

Mission

 

The mission of the CCC is to collectively foster a sustainable and healthy community that balances economic growth with the need to preserve and enhance open space, animal habitats, clean air and water, public health, and recreational opportunities for both current and future generations.

 

Guiding Principles

 

The CCCC serves as a steward of the county’s natural resources by seeking to advance the following principles through its resource monitoring, policy advocacy, and public education work:

 

Principle 1: Conserve, restore, and enhance the natural resources of Cumberland County, including our air, soils, surface and groundwater, agricultural lands, ecosystems and animal habitats.

 

Principle 2: Preserve and expand parkland, forests, tree cover and green space, trails and trail networks, sidewalks and bikeways, waterway and riparian corridors

 

Principle 3: Encourage healthy community design strategies that will, for example:

 

• Promote sustainable energy use and energy sources in order to minimize greenhouse gas and particulate matter emissions.

 

• Promote municipal waste management strategies that help residents reduce, reuse and recycle goods and minimize landfill waste.

 

• Create agricultural initiatives such as farmers markets and community gardens to improve production of and access to local sources of food.

 

• Support the use of planning tools and ordinances to protect and enhance natural resources.

 

How We Execute

 

To execute our mission and goals, the CCC members and member organizations will endeavor to:

 

• Identify significant challenges and opportunities within Cumberland County;

 

• Educate ourselves and each other about best practice approaches to the conservation challenges and opportunities we encounter;