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Purpose/Mission

There is probably no region of the state in which the wise and productive use of natural resources is so closely linked with the region’s economic viability. From tourism to agriculture, almost all of the region’s industries are based on the use of natural resources.   The Mountain Valleys Resource Conservation and Development Council, as the name implies, is dedicated to protecting and improving the use of this region’s resources in order to stimulate economic growth and improve the quality of living for all its citizens.

 Much of this work and coordination is done by volunteers giving of themselves to better the area they live in. They support projects that enhance social, economic, and environmental conditions in rural areas by finding technical and financial assistance from a variety of sources. The Mountain Valleys RC&D Council holds regular meetings on a quarterly basis. The Council works actively to create and complete conservation projects with the assistance of local volunteers made up of business people, community leaders, educators, and local citizens. Some of the Council’s projects concern soil erosion, leaf mulching and composting, dry fire hydrant installation, road bank seeding, river access areas, trout waste management, farmland preservation programs, water quality projects, and regional education centers. The Council works with other groups, when possible, to achieve common goals.

 

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CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

As Amended on: October 17, 1989; March 21, 1995; February 27, 2001

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this organization shall be:  Mountain Valleys Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc.  (Resource Conservation and Development may be referred to in abbreviated form:  RC&D)

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization is to plan and promote the orderly conservation and development of certain resources in the area.  These resources include, but are not necessarily limited to:   Human, Land, Water, Wildlife, Forestry, Recreation and Cultural.  The Mountain Valleys RC&D Area, Inc. is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

The membership of this organization is composed of the following eight counties:  Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, Transylvania, McDowell, Polk, Cleveland, and Rutherford, and the Land-of-Sky and Isothermal Regional Councils.

ARTICLE IV - ORGANIZATION

A.   Area Council     The Mountain Valleys RC&D Area, Inc. shall be governed by an RC&D Council.

B.   Council Membership     Each county in the Mountain Valleys RC&D Area, Inc. shall have three appointees, two will be appointed by the County Commissioners and one by the Soil and Water Conservation District.  The appointing sponsor may designate the term of appointment.  The Land-of-Sky and Isothermal Regional Councils shall each appoint one member to the RC&D Council.

C.   Committees     The RC&D Council may create any committee necessary to achieve its program objectives.

D.   County Committees     The appointed RC&D Area Council Members will make up the county committee and may appoint other advisory council members as desired.

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS AND DUTIES

The officers of the Council shall consist of a Chairman, an Immediate Past-Chairman, 1st Vice-Chairman, 2nd Vice-Chairman, 3rd Vice-Chairman, 4th Vice-Chairman, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, allowing each county to be represented by one officer.  They shall be elected by the Council at the last quarterly meeting of the year and serve for terms of two years, beginning at the first meeting of the year.  The year shall run from January 1 to December 31.     The duties of the officers shall be those normally assigned to such offices as listed in Roberts' Rules of Order.  The Chairman shall preside at all meetings at which he is present.  In his absence, the Vice-Chairman shall preside.  In the absence of the Secretary, the Treasurer shall also serve the function of Secretary.  In the absence of the Treasurer, the Secretary shall perform his other duties.

ARTICLE VI - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The eight (8) elected officers of the Council shall serve as the Executive Committee.  In addition to responsibility for finance and budget matters, they shall be responsible for directing Program activities between regular or called Council meetings in accordance with policies established by the Council.  The Executive Board will have decision authority for expenditures up to $50,000 restricted funds and up to $3,000 unrestricted funds.

ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

The Constitution and Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote favoring the amendment during any meeting of the Council at which a quorum is present.

ARTICLE VIII - VOTING

Each Council member, including the presiding officer, shall be given one (1) vote.  A simple majority of those voting, when a quorum is present, shall be decisive, unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws or in Roberts' Rules of Order (revised).  When a tie vote results from a balloting, up to two additional ballotings will be taken.  If the tie remains unbroken, the question will be automatically tabled until the next meeting.     A quorum shall consist of representation of six of the counties and/or Land-of-Sky and Isothermal Regional Councils.

ARTICLE IX - MEETINGS

Regular meetings shall be held on a quarterly basis.  Special meetings may be called by the Chairman.  Regular and special meeting notices shall be sent to all Council members at least seven days prior to the meeting date if possible.

ARTICLE X - ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS

Each Council member is encouraged to attend all regularly scheduled and called meetings.  Any Council member who misses three (3) regularly scheduled meetings during the year January 1 to December 31 will be asked to resign from the Council unless there are extenuating circumstances, such as sickness and a death in the immediate family.

When a Council member misses three (3) regularly scheduled meeting dates during the year, the appropriate authority will be asked to appoint someone to replace this individual.

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Plan of Work

This Annual Plan of Work / Business Plan was approved by the Mountain Valleys Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council at their February 20, 2003, Council meeting. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

 To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

OBJECTIVE I:  PROMOTE RURAL DEVELOPMENT WITH THE RC&D PROGRAM TO ENSURE QUALITY IN THE RESOURCE BASE, QUALITY IN THE ENVIRONMENT, AND QUALITY IN THE STANDARD OF LIVING

GOAL 1:  Provide assistance for planning and application of Area Wide Project Measures to meet schedules in the Mountain Valleys RC&D Area.