It’s not an unfamiliar story: a passionate group of volunteers rallies to address an imminent threat, citizen engagement efforts flourish, grant funding to secure an executive director is secured, partnerships are developed to implement restoration projects and create environmental education programming around the most prominent issues and threats.
Until…the threat is defeated, funding priorities change, community interest wanes, board leaders age out or founder's syndrome limits innovation.
And yet, there remains a small group of dedicated board volunteers who manage to keep a small flame of the mission burning while struggling to regain the organization’s former footing.
And then an opportunity to help fan that flame presents itself- now what?
How does the organization take full advantage and create something sustainable that can meet the current needs of the water resource, the local communities, and be able to adapt to the future needs as well?
How can it reintroduce itself to partners, new funders, and community members?
This is the story and the journey the Upper Merced River Watershed Council (California) still finds itself traveling. Perhaps it sounds a bit like your story?
POWR invites you to attend this webinar to learn a little more about the Upper Merced Watershed’s story but, more importantly, to explore the future- theirs and yours.
What can we all learn from each other as we seek to create a new watershed organization, reinvent one, or re-ignite the passion, the efforts, and the successes of our current one.
What are your key challenges? What lessons can you share from your successes?
Click Here to register and for more information.
Visit the POWR Events webpage for upcoming events and recordings of past online events and educational sessions.
For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and help available to community-based watershed organizations, visit the PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers website. Follow them on Facebook.
[Posted: May 30, 2023] PA Environment Digest
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