Conifer Area Council

STRATEGIC MASTER PLAN

Amended November 2, 2020

VISION:        The Conifer Area. . . our vibrant mountain home where natural beauty, wildlife and independent spirits join together as a community.

MISSION:     To work as a broad-based group to provide a forum to identify and address community issues.

STRATEGIES:
Educate
Facilitate
Communicate
Identify & Address Issues

CORE VALUES:
Inclusive
Nonpartisan
Honest
Positive
Creative
Transparent
Accountable

MISSION IMPLEMENTATION GOALS 

GOAL 1:        Provide a nonpartisan forum to facilitate community participation, collaboration and action in identifying and addressing community issues and opportunities. 

Objective 1a:  Inform the public about the community and issues affecting the community by facilitating at least four public meetings per year. 

Outcome:  Community that is informed 

Implementation Strategies:

• Hold four Town Hall Meetings per year with presentations relating to the community
• Hold other Community Meetings to facilitate timely community issues as needed 

Objective 1b:  Identify community issues and preferences by gathering information through surveys and other means, on a regular basis.

Outcome:  Conifer Area Council to be informed about the Conifer community

Implementation Strategies:

• Promote participation in comprehensive community surveys every 4 years to gather information from community members
• Promote participation in targeted surveys when more information is needed about specific community issues
• Develop other methods for obtaining information from community members when needed 

Objective 1c:  Promote participation in the study and action of identified community issues through Study / Action Teams as needed.

Outcome:  Broader community involvement studying & acting on identified issues & needs

Implementation Strategies:

• Facilitate specific Study / Action Teams to address issues and/or needs identified by the community.
  1. Community Vision Study / Action Team: This may include architecture, community beautification, community surveys, Conifer Loop Project, historic preservation, public places, recycling and signage, as interest, demand and timing dictate.
  2. Trails Study / Action Team
  3. Water Availability Study / Action Team
  4. Wildfire Mitigation Study / Action Team
• Promote participation in the Study / Action Teams at CAC meetings, through the website and through e-mail outreach
• Promote participation in the Study / Action Teams at fairs, festivals and other events where CAC has informational booths
• Promote participation in the Study / Action Teams via newspaper and other media outreach 

GOAL 2:  Provide open communication between Conifer Area Council, community members and with governmental/other organizations that affect our community’s future and advocate for County services paid for by tax dollars.

Objective 2a:  Continue to develop and update e-mail or other communication with  community members and interested parties.

Outcome:  Communication will be efficient and timely and will address a broad  constituent base

Implementation Strategies:

• Continue updating and expanding an efficient e-mail system that can be accessed and utilized by appointed CAC members
• Outreach to community about all meetings and functions of Conifer Area Council via e-mail, media and other means
• Outreach to community about other community issues and events approved by the Board via e-mail, media and other means 

Objective 2b:  Keep the Conifer Area Council website up-to-date and promote its use.

Outcome:  Marketing and Communication of CAC efforts will be easily accessed.

Implementation Strategies:

• Continue to update the website as needed.
• Develop policies and procedures for Social Media Committee to ensure website, email distribution and other social media opportunities are utilized appropriately and efficiently.
• Promote the website on all informational and promotional material & the media

Objective 2c:  Promote communication through public media and other sources.

Outcome:  The community will be informed of events & issues.

Implementation Strategies:

• Promote CAC meetings, events and happenings through newspapers, banners, fliers and social media.
• In conjunction with the Meyer Ranch House Welcome Center, research the possibility of construction of a Communications Notification Sign (a sign that notifies the community of community events) and a Community Organization Sign. (a sign that lists or has logos of community organizations.) 

Objective 2d:  Interface with elected officials and key personnel from County, State, Federal and other agencies to promote two-way communication.

Outcome:  Those making decisions on our behalf will be informed and involved.

Implementation Strategies:

• Invite elected officials and key personnel from County, State, Federal and other agencies to Town Hall Meetings, Study / Action Team meetings and other events
• Share survey results with elected officials and key personnel of governmental organizations and agencies
• Develop mechanism to raise awareness of community wishes and desires by asking County staff to promote coordination between Conifer Area Council and those working on developments, projects and issues before the County

Objective 2e:  “Connect” with & support other community organizations with common goals.

Outcome:  Community organizations will work together for the common good.

Implementation Strategies:

• Invite organizations to participate in our Town Hall Meetings and other events and projects
• Participate in other community organization events

Objective 2f: Ensure Conifer Area Council researches and applies for appropriate grants to conserve open space in our community.

Outcome: To ensure resources are available to the community consistent with the expressed prioritized needs of its residents.

Implementation Strategies:

1. CAC Board members will review funding opportunities and apply for grants as opportunities arise.

GOAL 3:        Provide the venue, such as town hall and community meetings, for periodic review and support of applicable Jefferson County

Regulations and the Comprehensive Master Plan, including the Conifer / 285 Corridor Area Community Plan. 

Objective 3a:  Interface with Jefferson County to obtain information and inform the community about proposed regulation changes and development cases that affect the Conifer area.

Outcome: An informed and involved community. 

Implementation Strategies:

• Liaison with Jefferson County Planning and Zoning on a monthly to quarterly basis for information and updates.
• Register with Planning and Zoning for permit application notifications
• Document information from Planning and Zoning for distribution to the community through meetings, e-mail and website
• Inform community on a quarterly basis at Town Hall Meetings           

Objective 3b: Create specific, detailed plans for future development patterns, connectivity, trails, open spaces and public places for integration into Jefferson County’s Comprehensive Master Plan and other planning efforts.

Outcome:  Taking control of our own future.

Implementation Strategies:

• Devise and implement conceptual plans and master plans in response to identified community needs
• Interface with Jefferson County and other agencies on conceptual plans and master plans so that they become part of County and other planning efforts

ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS 

GOAL 4:        Provide structure of and communication with all Conifer Area Council Study / Action Teams, groups formed to study and act upon identified community issues. 

Objective 4a:  Develop, review and update  Policies and Procedures for Study / Action Teams, Board/Team interactions and communications as needed.

Outcome:  Policies, Procedures & timeframe for review of Study/Action Teams in place.

Implementation Strategies:

• Schedule time for Policies and Procedures to be reviewed every three years. 

GOAL 5:        Create and maintain a vibrant, sustainable organization with good governance and adequate volunteers and funding resources. 

Objective 5a:  Review and update Business Plan every three years.

Outcome:  Completed Business Plan to be used in applying for grants and for other purposes.

Implementation Strategies:

• Maintain and update the business plan to reflect current needs as required. This might include a study teams plan, marketing plan, operations plan and review of needed financial resources. 

Objective 5b:  Review and update Board policies and procedures every three years.

Outcome:  Job descriptions complete / policies and procedures drafted /  volunteer structure in place.

Implementation Strategies:

• Develop Job Descriptions
• Update Board Attendance Policy as needed
• Update Nominating Committee Policies and Procedures as needed
• Develop Volunteer Resources Policies and Procedures

Objective 5c:  Recruit Volunteers and update Volunteer Coordination Procedures as needed.

Outcome:  Volunteer structure in place to ensure completion of goals and objectives.

Implementation Strategies:

• Recruit Volunteers
• Interview and Place Volunteers
• Coordinate Volunteers           

Objective 5d:  Review and update financial policies and procedures at least every three years to ensure appropriate checks and balances.                   

Outcome:  Financial Budgets, Policies and Procedures in place. 

Implementation Strategies:

• Develop annual Operating Budget
• Other strategies might include: Develop Projects Budget; Audit Committee Policy; External Accountability Policy; General Accounting Policies and Procedures; system for archiving financial reports – digitally & paper; Membership Opportunities Policies and Procedures; and Fundraising Policies and Procedures

Objective 5e:  Develop an Annual Board Planning Calendar

Outcome:  Timetable for filings, functions and review so that nothing is forgotten.

Implementation Strategies:

• Determine all legal filing dates
• Revisit fiscal year dates as this will be the basis for review
• Consolidate all policy & procedure dates into the calendar
• Determine the best time to review bylaws, plans, policies and procedures 

Objective 5f:  Develop Grant Writing Policies and Procedures

Outcome:  An organized system for tracking grant opportunities

Implementation Strategies:

1)  Create a document with available grant opportunities

2)  Create document to track grant money requested, from inception to final report on how the money was spent

3)  Develop policies and procedures on who does what

4)  Develop notebook (paper & digital) of grants applied for

5)  Develop system for archiving grant information (paper & digital)           

Objective 5g:  Develop and update as needed policies and procedures for maintenance & safe storage (paper and digitally) of all Conifer Area Council documents and information

Outcome:  An organized system for maintenance & safe storage of all documents.

Implementation Strategies:

• Develop, review and update policies and procedures on safekeeping of secretarial minutes; financial documents; personnel documents; grant requests and tracking; project and master plan files; and all other important documents.
• Use Google Docs as appropriate to share records among Board members.