CWSF Executive Committee Retreat  

The Council of Western State Foresters (CWSF) Executive Committee (EC) met in Denver, CO on June 30 for an in-person executive retreat. The EC discussed the strategic focus of the organization and identified issues that may arise over the next year.

CWSF staff members provided updates on the progress made towards goals identified in the CWSF Strategic Plan. CWSF staff members also reported out on current and upcoming projects. Additional discussions centered around finding ways to increase the CWSF operating reserve fund, expanding member-focused opportunities, staff development, broadening new partnerships, and best practices for implementation of the strategic plan.

The EC also reviewed and approved revisions to the CWSF policies and concluded the meeting with a closed business session regarding the 2017 budget. The updated CWSF Policies are available in the CWSF members’ portal. If you are a CWSF member and need access to the portal, please contact Grace Mirzeler.

Northeastern Area Association of State Foresters Annual Meeting

Caitlyn Pollihan, CWSF Executive Director, attended the Northeastern Area Association of State Foresters (NAASF) Annual Meeting in Two Harbors, MN. During the NAASF meeting, Caitlyn presented information on the Council of Western State Foresters (CWSF) and the Western Forestry Leadership Coalition (WFLC) highlighting current projects and staff work. The regional update, provided to the NAASF members, can be accessed here.

CWSF Staff Updates

• Grace Mirzeler, CWSF Member Services Associate continued her participation in the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) Photography Fellow. Grace met with Lisa Mason, Colorado State Forest Service on July 7-8. They met with landowners, captured photos of Salida and Buena Vista, CO. Learn more about Grace’s experiences and view photos from her trip here.
• Sara Goodwin, CWSF Communications Director attended the Association for Conservation Information (ACI) Conference in Lake Tahoe, NV. ACI is a non-profit organization of natural resources communicators. This conference provided Sara with an opportunity to meet fellow state agency communicators and discuss current trends, emerging issues and best practices around all things communications. Learn more about ACI.
• Sara was selected to participate in the 2016 ASAE Association NextGen Summit, September 14-17 in Reno, NV. This event will engage association professionals in meaningful conversations about the unique needs, perspectives, and interests of young professionals, trends facing the association industry, and the role of young professionals in the association community. Approximately 25 association professionals were invited to participate in The NextGen Association Summit. Learn more about ASAE’s NextGen Summit.