Executive Director’s Report February 14, 2023
Forest Service – Washington DC Update – We will be holding a webinar with Miranda Hutten, changed to early April 2023, addressing the Inflation Reduction Act and its impacts on urban forestry funding and programs for California.
Forest Service Funding – I have signed and returned the 2023-2-24 contract and received back the final signed documents.
Cal Fire – Well, my optimism about solving the issues with CalFire has waned somewhat. Though we are required to only work with Walter Passmore on our grant solutions and reporting, he is not responsive, which seriously delays our ability to move forward. The grants are both ending on 3/30/2023. I have a call scheduled with John Melvin Friday, 2/10/2023, addressing issues.
State Policy & Advocacy – I’m going to Sacramento 2/15/2023 for meetings for advocacy efforts. I’ve attached our generic advocacy policy focus for 2023. It would be great if we could find more sponsors to support the costs of advocacy. Any ideas?
Conference – We will begin planning with A-Plus Tree for the TreeTopia events in early August.
Bookkeeping/Taxes/Audit, etc. – I’ve taken over the bookkeeping tasks for the time being. I’ve been staying ahead of payables, month-end deliverables, etc. I spend a good deal of time on billing/invoices for government contracts. I’m not willing to hire someone to I can better assess our financial situation due to CalFire issues.
Budget – I am trying to carve out the time to do this. It is quite difficult since we don’t know what will happen with Cal Fire. I will build a budget by the board call with what is solid, what can be depended on.
Program Updates – We held a call for interested board members and regional councils for planning for scheduling webinars/workshops throughout 2023, partnering with Regional Councils, along with a funding campaign. Deb is taking the lead on this and has sent out a synopsis of opportunities. We need Councils to choose dates to get the planning underway ASAP. I attended the Britton Fund board meeting 2/1/2023.
The Forest Service-funded – “Mind the Divide” project (UF&WUI) Held a planning call today with the Davey Resource folks on the next steps through the end of June to completion.
Regional Councils – Thanks for sending your reports! We need to get the Central Coast Council up and running again. Any ideas for leadership there?
Outreach – Communications report.
Fundraising – You can still create a personal fundraising campaign. Board members have agreed to raise funds. This is important that this actually happens, especially since we are not being paid by CalFire currently. Fundraising Campaign – possibly create an ad hoc committee to build a plan.
Board Meetings – our next meeting will be in-person on March 17, 2023, in San Francisco.
Board Recruitment – We will vote on our two new candidates on the 2.14.2023 call.
Wells Fargo Bank Issue – It appears we are getting close to the resolution of the board updates at Wells Fargo.
Reminder: board member’s agreement to contribute $500 either directly or through other opportunities (Regional Council members excluded unless they are eager!)
Respectfully submitted (Happy Valentine’s Day!),
Nancy Hughes