R ESOLUTION P ROCESS

Intro to Resolutions A conservation district supervisor should understand the importance of participating in the state and national resolution process. Ask yourself: Ever feel there’s a need for change on how a district operates? Want to clean up a statute or a rule? Ever wish to take a formal position on an issue? Ever run into a requirement or guideline from another agency that does not work for your area? As times change, so does your focus on conservation and/or issues within your district. To make statewide and national policy or operational changes, you have to begin with a resolution.

CACD Involvement The Colorado Association of Conservation Districts (CACD) is a member of the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). CACD represents Colorado’s 76 conservation districts and presents issues and resolutions particular through legislative representation and the state and national resolution processes. “The objects and purposes of the Association are to assist and cooperate with Conservation Districts in the State of Colorado and other governmental or private groups, in the furtherance of the conservation and preservation of natural resources, the control of wind and water erosion and the development of sound land use”; and in particular: 1.Facilitate the exchange of information among groups in the state engaged in the conservation of natural resources. 2.Further a constructive statewide plan for conservation of soil and water resources, flood control and river basin development. 3.Conduct and assist other groups in the development of scientific and educational programs for conservation of Colorado’s resources.

What is a Resolution? A resolution is a written statement that, when adopted by your conservation district board, is the basis for the policies and actions of the conservation district. Resolutions are presented on matters of importance to conservation districts – its members and its constituents. Resolutions can be district and/or state wide in scope, and should fall within the purposes and functions stated in your conservation district law. Some conservation district actions require a resolution to enact such as 310 rules, raising mill levies, or other financial actions. The resolutions that enact individual conservation district specific authorities, are handled locally and they do not necessarily go through the CACD process. The resolutions process is how districts initiate policy discussions and help establish Association policy. Resolutions should address issues and call for action consistent with the conservation purposes of the Association.

What is a Resolution? A resolution is composed of two parts: “whereas” clauses that summarize, the reasons and rationale for the resolution; and “resolved” clauses that contain the position or action to be taken on the issue. Standard resolutions may be introduced in 4 ways: 1.From a CD when approved by the district board and then approved by the watershed association 2.From the watershed association when approved by the districts in the watershed 3.From the CACD Board of Directors or Executive Committee when approved by the officers 4.From an Association standing committee meeting when approved by the districts attending

Emergency Resolutions An emergency resolution may be introduced if it deals with pressing issues that have arisen after the deadline of a standard resolution. Emergency resolutions may be exempt from standing committee action and district level distribution as long as it: Receives 2/3 majority approval vote of the CACD Board of Directors or the full assembly and Is labeled as “emergency resolution” during the annual meeting committee and floor action.

What Do I Need to Do? 1.Choose a topic and positions/actions to be taken. 2.Documenting the need (the “whereas”). 3.Write the resolution (“therefore be it resolved”). 4.Submit at the Fall watershed meeting (usually in August/September). Now is the time to start thinking about topics or issues for possible resolutions because area meetings will come sooner than you realize.

What is the Process? 1.Districts complete this form for each resolution they wish to carry to the Watershed. 2.Provide copies for all at the Watershed meeting. 3.Watershed reviews resolution and passes onto CACD committees or defeats the resolution. 4.Resolutions due from Watersheds to CACD by the end of September (or when it says on the form). 5.Policy Committees will meet and make recommendations the first part of October. All are welcome. 6.Please plan to attend the Annual Meeting each November. The Policy Committees meet there; resolutions will be voted on by the Resource Committees. 7.Final review and voting on resolutions will be held at the annual business meeting during the annual meeting conference. 8.Submit all resolutions to CACD on the supplied form for consistency and detail.

Resolutions at Annual Meeting Resolutions are assigned to a Resource Committee. Sponsors of a resolution are expected to be present at the standing committee session in which their resolution is to be brought up for discussion and action. Resource committees forward resolutions considered, with their recommendations, for full association floor action during the business session of the Association annual meeting. If the Resource Committee or full assembly recommends the resolution, the chair will read and/or show the full resolution and then move for its adoption. Resolutions not recommended for adoption by a resource committee will have the title and action of the resource committee read to a full assembly. A vote of the full assembly is required to ratify the committee’s action.

Acceptance of Resolution Acceptance of a resolution requires a simple majority of the voting delegates in attendance at the annual meeting.

Active Involvement is Critical Your active involvement in the legislative process may be the difference in the passage or killing of legislation important to your district. During the course of a typical legislative session, over 5,000 bills will be filed. Historically, CACD tracks about 300 bills that are of importance to conservation districts.

KEY POINTS CACD represents Colorado’s 76 conservation districts and presents issues and resolutions particular through legislative representation and the state and national resolution processes. The resolutions process is how districts initiate policy discussions and help establish Association policy. A resolution is a way to promote change on a local, statewide, or national basis.