February 2011 Archives

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

RC&D OFFICE MANAGER

 

CLOSING DATE:      February 28, 2011

                                      Resume to be received by close of business.

 

LOCATION:               To be located in Montgomery, Alabama.

 

COMPENSATION:    Pay Interval  -  Monthly pay period (12 per year)

                                      Pay  -  Starting salary to be determined by education and experience.           

                                       Salary Range  -  $42,000.  -  $48,000.  Plus benefits.

 

WORK SCHEDULE:  The salary is based on forty hour work week.

Monday  -  Friday.  Work hours  8:00 -  5:00.  If weekend travel or work is required; work week will be adjusted by State RC&D Board of Directors.  No overtime or comp time will be accrued.           

 

brought to you by the Alabama Tourism Department

February 16, 2011
 
Last week, the House of Representatives proposed $100 billion in spending cuts for the current fiscal year (2011) which ends on September 30, 2011.

The result would be cutting RC&D funding mid-year.

 If approved, this legislation would eliminate the RC&D Program.

 Note: This is separate and apart from the President's FY 2012 budget which does not include RC&D funding.
 
We will be in contact with our Councils about the FY 2012 budget in the future; our most immediate concern is seeing that there are no cuts for the current fiscal year.

Because Congress failed to complete a budget last year, the federal government is operating under a "Continuing Resolution" that will expire on March 4.
 
If Congress does not pass another Continuing Resolution, the funding for the RC&D Program will end.
 
It's time for all Council Members and supporters to flood the House of Representatives and Senate by phone, email, etc.  Tell them:

RC&D Council Members strongly oppose the $100 billion deficit reduction package.
RC&D spending creates jobs and spurs economic development while conserving precious natural resources.
Consult your area and annual plans and remind Congress of what will NOT happen in your areas if the RC&D Program is eliminated.

If you need information and assistance about contacting your elected Members of Congress, feel free to contact your National Association at 202.434.4780.

The Historic Chattahoochee Commission seeks a full-time Executive Director. A state agency of both Alabama and Georgia, the HCC was founded by Alabama in 1970 and became a bi-state agency by Congressional compact in 1978. It promotes historical preservation and heritage tourism in an 18-county service area bordering the lower Chattahoochee River from Troup County, Georgia, and Chambers County, Alabama, to the Florida line. The HCC is run by a 28-member board of directors and managed by a staff consisting of the Executive Director, an Administrative Assistant, and a part-time clerk. It is headquartered in Eufaula, Alabama, with a satellite office in LaGrange, Georgia.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Securing state appropriations, running the daily operation of the HCC, engaging in all the usual activities associated with a membership non-profit organization, meeting reporting requirements of a state agency, promoting heritage tourism, historical preservation, and historical/heritage education. The HCC also has a robust publishing program and holds 5 board meetings and a membership dinner annually.  The job requires that the Executive Director travel extensively within the region, be accessible to the public and the board of directors, and create genuine rapport with the community and Commission.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree or equivalent, experience managing budgets and personnel, excellent oral and written communication skills, excellent ability to manage multiple on-going projects.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Advanced degree in history (or related field), business administration, public administration, or tourism; experience working in not-for-profit sector and with boards of directors; experience working with legislative or similar public bodies; contacts with Alabama and/or Georgia Legislators; grant-writing and fund-raising experience; experience in marketing, public relations, and membership development; experience in historic/heritage education and heritage tourism.

Position available May 1, 2011. Salary commensurate with experience. Review of applications will begin on March 4, 2011, and continue until the position is filled. Please send resume with references and salary history to the Historic Chattahoochee Commission, PO Box 33, Eufaula, Alabama 36027-0033.

First Lady Dianne Bentley is an avid quilter and has expressed her interest in celebrating the beautiful quilts made in the state. She has also noted that she worked on a quilt using Dr. Bentley's ties as she drove him around during the campaign. Inspired by her interest, as its first exhibition of the New Year, the Alabama State Council on the Arts has organized an exhibition of quilts by twenty-six quilt makers from throughout the state. Included in the exhibition is the Cathedral Window panel made by Mrs. Bentley during the campaign. The exhibition is on display in the Alabama Artists Galley in the RSA Tower in downtown Montgomery.

Of special note in this presentation is the Pine Burr Quilt, designated the official quilt of Alabama by the Alabama Legislature in 1997. The logo for the Alabama Tourism Department's award-winning Year of Alabama Arts campaign was based on the Pine Burr Quilt quilt design. The example in the gallery is on loan from the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Also of note is the quilt by Bettye Kimbrell and the North Jefferson Quilter's Guild of Mount Olive. Kimbrell is recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Award. Two artists are recipients of the Alabama State Council on the Arts Individual Artist Fellowship for excellence in craft: Murray Johnston and Nancy Goodman.

For more information on the quilt exhibit please see http://www.arts.state.al.us/news/index-news.html#Alabama%20Artists%20Gallery.

Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) will be joined by Congressman Jo Bonner (R-Mobile), as Co-Chair of the Congressional Travel & Tourism Caucus (CTTC) for the 112th Congress. The Congressional Travel & Tourism Caucus' mission is to support and develop national policy that promotes domestic and international travel to the United States. "The U.S. is home to some of the most pristine and exciting tourist destinations in the world," said Congressman Sam Farr. "Tourism is an economic engine that will continue to play a vital role in stimulating our local economies. I look forward to working with Congressman Bonner and the rest of the caucus to advance an agenda that promotes the industry and creates much needed jobs across our country."

"Tourism and travel are significant jobs providers for every corner of America.  Too often, the travel industry's impact isn't fully appreciated until a disaster strikes and the resulting loss of tourist dollars is felt throughout local economies, from hotels and restaurants to schools.  Many Gulf Coast communities suffered such losses first hand during last year's oil spill.  I am honored to join Rep. Farr as co chair of the Travel and Tourism Caucus during the 112th Congress, and I look forward to bringing a renewed focus to America's great potential as the world's travel destination," said Congressman Jo Bonner.

Mr. Farr has served as co-chair of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus since 1997. His district on California's Central Coast encompasses the Monterey Bay region, where the travel industry generates over $2 billion for the local economy.  Mr. Bonner previously served as an active member of the caucus, and represents Alabama's fast-growing six-county Gulf Coast region where tourist and travel expenditures total $3.2 billion. The travel caucus, which consisted of more than 100 members in the 111th Congress, works to develop and support legislation that promotes the nation's travel and tourism industry, as well as fosters communication between lawmakers and travel leaders. In its latest figures, the U.S. Travel Association estimated that the travel industry contributed $704.4 billion to the economy and employed 7.7 million people.  Last Congress, the caucus was busy supporting the Travel Promotion Act, which passed both Chambers of Congress and was signed by the President in February 2010. The new law is working to promote the U.S. as a premier travel destination and better explain travel policies - making it easier for tourists to visit the many tourist destinations the U.S. has to offer.
 
The Congressional Travel & Tourism Caucus was founded in 1979, and over the years has diligently worked to promote issues vital to the well being of the travel and tourism industry. The caucus works to educate Congressional Members and staff on the importance of securing a vibrant tourism industry for all 50 states, which generates $113 billion for local, state and federal governments.    

Dissecting Success: The Anatomy of a Healthy Nonprofit Our 2011 Nonprofit Summit promises to be one of the most engaging and informational conferences yet. Professional development sessions will be structured around the Alabama Association of Nonprofit's entry into the nationally-recognized Standards For Excellence® initiative. Considered by BoardSource as one of the most important programs created for nonprofits of the last two decades, it is a must-attend event. The Summit will be March 8-9, 2011, at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center, Birmingham, Alabama. To register or for more information about the 2011 Summit, click the link below. http://www.alabamanonprofits.org/annual-summit.php

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley has appointed N. Gunter Guy Jr. as Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Guy is a graduate of Auburn University and the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. Most recently he practiced law with the firm of Ball, Ball, Mathews & Novak, P.A. in Montgomery.

 

Guy is a native of Alabama and lives on a family farm near Pintlala, Ala. He is an avid hunter and angler and looks forward to serving as Conservation Commissioner. "I am honored to have been selected by Governor Bentley for this position," he said. "I have a lifelong love of the outdoors and am looking forward to overseeing the agency that is responsible for managing much of Alabama's natural resources." Read more.

The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is currently accepting applications through its Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) to continue longleaf pine restoration efforts in Alabama. The grant was awarded through a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and will be made available to qualifying landowners for longleaf pine restoration on private lands.

 

Landowners are encouraged to submit applications to receive assistance with the site preparation, seedlings, planting, native grass restoration and/or exotic control costs.  For landowners to be considered eligible to receive funding, the property must be within the historic range of longleaf pine in Alabama, or contain suitable soils to support longleaf pine.  Program details include: cost share at 50 percent, no minimum acreage is required, and cutover sites and agricultural sites are eligible. Read more.

ALABAMA'S FOREVER WILD PROGRAM IS UP FOR REAUTHORIZATION IN 2012. THIS VITALLY IMPORTANT STATE-FUNDED PROGRAM PRESERVES OUR BEAUTIFUL NATURAL RESOURCES AND MAKES THEM AVAILABLE FOR US AND FUTURE GENERATIONS TO ENJOY!

Calling all outdoor enthusiasts! "Keeping Alabama Forever Wild" wants you!
They are seeking entries from people who want to share their special outdoor place in Alabama. It can be a state park, wildlife area, nature preserve, stream, wetland, forests, or wildlife.

Your entry can be in the form of an essay (no more than 600 words), photo or even a video. It simply needs to represent a place in Alabama with special meaning to you.

http://blog.al.com/keeping-alabama-forever-wild/2011/02/calling_all_outdoor_enthusiasts.html

City Limits magazine recently published a piece on the Obama Administration's urban policy work, arguing that significant change has been happening―change that is mostly below the radar of the press and public. The article provides information on the Sustainable Communities Partnership, a partnership formed in 2009 between EPA, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Transportation to help improve access to affordable housing, offer more transportation options, and lower transportation costs while protecting the environment in communities nationwide. The article discusses some projects that the Partnership has funded, and provides background context for urban-focused federal efforts to encourage sustainable communities.

Resource: http://www.citylimits.org/news/articles/4268/obama-s-urban-policy-slow-start-sustainable-finish

This program provides funding of services for children exposed to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, as well as training, coordination, and advocacy for programs that serve children and youth, on how to identify and refer children and families experiencing domestic violence. The application deadline is March 3, 2011.  For more information please visit: http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=tfQKN98ppKhx2z19SnGVDDtTy7pfG4pYzDcJLvK1DllzTGH2wTvN!375102673?oppId=65654&mode=VIEW

Music as varied as the blues at the Johnny Shines Festival, Boogie Woogie on 280 and country music on Lake Martin make the list of 50 "must attend" events scheduled during the Year of Alabama Music. More than 200 festivals offer live music during the Year of Alabama Music including 50 that attract visitors from around the world. From live concerts on Alabama's beaches and music festivals like Jubilee Cityfest in Montgomery and Bayfest in Mobile to the Old Time Fiddlers Convention in Athens and "Abalabip" in Birmingham, visitors can explore every genre of music in Alabama.