11-17-2021 Work Session Notes
1
New Hanover Soil and Water Conservation District
Strategic Planning Work Session
Meeting Notes
Date: November 17, 2021
Supervisors Present: Others Present:
Bill Hart, Chairman Dru Harrison, NHSWCD Director
Sue Hayes, Vice-Chairman Amy Renfranz, NHSWCD Program Coordinator
Matt Collogan Haley Moccia, NHSWCD Conservation Specialist
Evan Folds Sheryl Kelly, NHC Assistant County Manager
Frank Meares Lilly Triolo, Conservation Intern
Tom Boland Steve Skavroneck, Strategic Planning Consultant
This meeting was held in the Cape Fear Room of the Downtown Library. See Addendum for all the notes taken
on the easel pads during the work session.
Welcome, Introductions, Forecast
• Skavroneck welcomed the group. Harrison and Hart shared the background and historical context of
strategic planning in the district, including the reason behind the current plan’s format.
• Skavroneck guided discussion around the room in which each attendant shared their definition and
vision for a strategic plan. Points discussed:
O Strategic planning should be the guiding, living document for the direction of the district, should be
used to help staff set goals and work plans, should help set priorities, should be used to
communicate the district’s purpose and action to an external audience, and should help the
organization focus in on the pre-determined objectives of the group.
O Skavroneck shared the metaphor that the plan should be a bridge between the present and the
future of the organization.
Session Guidelines
• Skavroneck outlined the morning’s agenda and meeting guidelines.
• By group consensus, it was decided that the meeting would act as a work session in which everyone in
the room, including staff, could have a vote in any necessary decision.
Review Of Current Format
• There was discussion around the current format of the plan and alternative formats. It was decided that
the final, public format of the plan must be set in the county’s approved format (which is the current
format in place), but that an internal document may also be produced.
Review Of Current Mission Statement
• Skavroneck shared the alternative mission statements that were shared by attendants via email prior to
the meeting.
• Skavroneck shared two alternatives to the mission statement: long and short options.
• Shared draft mission statements:
o The mission of the New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District is to protect and enhance soil
and water resources.
o To protect and enhance of our natural resources.
o To protect and enhance the soil and water of New Hanover County. (SELECTED)
o Our mission is to protect and enhance the soil and water of New Hanover County. (USED IF
NEEDED FOR PROPER SENTENCE CASE)
2
Review Current Major Focus Areas
• It was decided that the major areas of focus will be: Soil & Water, Education (including Outreach and
Advocacy), and Land Conservation.
• Moccia reviewed the current strategic plan from her point of view and shared suggestions on objectives
and desired outcomes of the current Stormwater Management section. She suggested that the new
strategic plan be more specific and measurable. She shared that the district is currently focused on
water quality improvements, as opposed to water quantity improvements (the focus of the current plan).
Next Steps
• Skavroneck will send an email. Each attendant should respond to his questions. Harrison will send an
email requesting date availability for the next meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m.
3
ADDENDUM
Notes Taken During Meeting on Easel Pad During Meeting
Forecast
• Session guidelines
• Plan format
• Mission statement
• Major focus areas
• Where do we go from here?
Session Guidelines
• Everyone contributes ideas
• No one dominates the discussion
• Respect others’ ideas and opinions
• Flexible thinking – facilitator, participants
• Process for making decisions – consensus, voting, minority (it was decided that the entire group of
participants could vote)
• No acronyms
• Related ideas go into the parking lot
Current Format
• Mission statement
• Major focus areas: Stormwater Management, Education, Land and Resource Management, Technical
Support
• Strategic objectives
• Desired outcomes or targets
• Other “gobbledygook” at the bottom relating to technical support
An Alternative Format
• Mission
• Tools: Education & Outreach, Partnerships, Financial Incentives, Land Conservation, Technical
Support
• Major Focus Areas
• Goals (one for each major focus area)
• Objectives / Desired Outcomes
• Annual Work Plans and Employee Objectives and Reviews to be parallel to the plan
Current Mission
The purpose of the NHSWCD is to protect and enhance all our natural resources for NHC residents through
stormwater management, community education and outreach, land conservation, and technical support. 2007
(It was noted that this statement differs from the statement that is shared publicly in the office and on the
website: The New Hanover Soil and Water Conservation District (NHSWCD) mission is to protect and enhance
water quality throughout New Hanover County through land conservation, stormwater management, technical
support to citizens and organizations, and conservation education and outreach activities.)
Some New Mission Statements (Long Version)
Protect and [restore, enhance] [water and soil, soil and water, natural resources] [resources, quality] through…
4
• Education and outreach
• Stormwater management
• Soil and stormwater management
• Minimizing erosion
• Partnerships
• Financial incentives
• Land conservation
• Technical support/ source of information
• Innovative programs
• Urban agriculture
• Development guidance
Example Mission Statement (Short Version)
• We are the stewards of the county’s soil and water quality.
• The mission of the NHSWCD is to protect and enhance our soil and water resources.
• To protect and enhance the soil and water of New Hanover County (selected).
Major Focus Areas
Current:
• Stormwater Management
• Education and Outreach
• Land Conservation
• Technical Support
Suggested:
• Advocacy
• Natural Resource Management
• Internal Capacity Building
• Conservation
• Partnerships
• Soil and Water
Decided Upon:
• Soil and Water
• Education
• Land Conservation
WHAT’S NEXT
• What did we agree on today?
• Summarize results and send to you
• More homework
• Another planning session with focus on goals and objectives
• Prepare a draft plan and share with you at a regular monthly meeting
• Finalize
Parking Lot Items
• Date the plan any updates
• Annual updates