ACED State Association Survey
Summary of Operational and Governance Responses (15 States)
Key Takeaways
The survey highlights significant operational variability across State Conservation Associations, particularly in staffing, funding models, and advocacy depth.
Staffing and Budget Overview
(Excluding IN/OH, which reported high program staff counts)
(Range is $75K to $5.5M+)
(Over 50% of states report 50-100% restricted funds)
Funding is heavily reliant on external grants and earmarked budgets, leading to high budget restriction percentages.
Primary Funding Sources
| Source | Frequency (n=15) | Primary Use Case Mentioned |
|---|---|---|
| Grants/Cooperative Agreements | 15 / 15 | Program Implementation, Payroll, Technical Assistance |
| Membership Dues | 12 / 15 | General Operations, NACD Dues, Legislative Support |
| Conferences/Events (Earned Income) | 10 / 15 | Event Revenue, Sponsoring Awards |
| State/Federal Appropriations | 5 / 15 | Training, Leadership, Program Assistance (VA, MI, DE/MD) |
All associations utilize Grants/Cooperative Agreements, highlighting project-based funding as a universal operational component.
Governance: Board Meetings & Dues Models
Board Meeting Frequency
Dues Calculation Methods
- **Flat Rate:** (6 States) A single fixed fee per district ($550 to ~$3,600).
- **Prefixed Calculation:** (5 States) Formula-based, often tied to budget, land value, or district share of property values.
- **Membership Levels:** (1 State - MI) Districts select a level with corresponding benefits.
- **Consequences for Non-Payment:** Typically loss of voting rights at the annual meeting.
Key Offerings to Districts (Member Services)
Training & Education (15/15)
Universal offerings: Supervisor/Director training, Annual Conference, Area Meetings, Webinars, and Handbooks. Often supported by the state agency (e.g., OR, IN, WV).
Grant Management (10/15)
Act as a fiscal agent, manage pass-through grants (mini-grants), and provide grant writing assistance/coordination.
Advocacy & Outreach (10/15)
Support through a lobbyist (FT/PT contract, 7 states), legislative forums, Capitol days, and policy book development.
Advocacy and NACD Engagement
Lobbying Landscape
- **7 States** employ a Contract Lobbyist or have the Executive Director serve as the primary lobbyist.
- Primary methods involve annual Legislative Days (MD, WV), bill tracking/testimony (CO), and direct communication with legislative offices.
- The Delaware/Maryland association explicitly hosts an **Advocacy Day** and bus tours for elected officials.
NACD Dues and Promotion
- **7 States** (AL, UT, IN, CO, WI, OK, VA) explicitly confirm paying NACD dues.
- **Only WV** reported paying NACD dues *on behalf of their districts*.
- NACD promotion typically involves **presentations at annual meetings**, forwarding resources, and participation in the **NACD Fly-In** (IN).
Youth and Education Programs
Envirothon Management
Management is handled by a variety of entities: State Association staff (WV, WI, OK), a dedicated Committee (MO), the State University (UT), or a Foundation (VA).
Awards and Contests
Poster, Speech, and Essay contests are common. State associations sponsor a wide array of awards, including: Conservationist of the Year, Legislator Award, and Lifetime Achievement.
Other Youth Engagement
Youth Conservation Camps (WI, VA), Youth Leadership Institutes (VA), and Youth Boards (OK - district level) are utilized to involve younger participants.
Annual Meeting Logistics
| Month of Meeting | Duration (Days) | Primary Revenue Sources (Top 3) |
|---|---|---|
| October, November, December, January (Most Common) | 2 to 4 Days (2.5 days is common) |
Registration Fees Exhibitors Sponsors |
Annual Meetings are a critical source of non-grant revenue and are often held in partnership with entities like NRCS or Farm Bureaus (WI, MD/DE).
Key Areas for ACED Collaboration
- **Dues Models:** Sharing best practices for dues calculation and enforcement to stabilize non-grant revenue.
- **New Director Training:** Standardizing and sharing successful training content (handbooks, online modules) to ensure consistent governance.
- **NACD Advocacy:** Developing a unified message and strategy for promoting NACD value proposition to districts.
Data tracking is primarily managed through Excel or CRM systems.