Board Elections

2013 Supervisor Election

Whatcom Conservation District (WCD) Supervisor Election Cancellation

Whatcom Conservation District March 12, 2013 election is cancelled.  Incumbent, Dick Yoder ran unopposed and was reelected through WAC 135-110-370 by Whatcom Conservation District Board at their February 13, 2013 meeting.  Questions, call Dawn Bekenyi @ 360-354-2035 x 3.

“WAC 135-110-370 Incumbent automatically reelected if no other person files.”  
•    “(1) the incumbent is automatically reelected to another three-year term if:
o    (a) Due notice of the election resolution and the election have been duly published by the conservation district;
o    (b) The only person filing by the filing deadline is the incumbent;
o    (c) The conservation district verifies the continued eligibility of the incumbent to serve another term of office; and
o    (d) The incumbent has not resigned on or before the last date of the election.”
•    “(2) When an incumbent is automatically reelected, no other election activities at physical poll sites or through remote election process may be performed.”
•    “(3) Before election day, the conservation district must inform the voting public that the incumbent has been reelected by reason of being the only person filing for the position, and that no poll site, mail or absentee balloting will be performed, and on election day, signs containing this information must be posted at poll site.”

Do you want to become a WCD Supervisor or Associate?

Each Conservation District is governed by a board of five supervisors who are all local residents. Our current board is a diverse group of people who are interested in natural resource management, including a beef producer, a dairy producer, a small farmer, a retired forester and a retired educator. Click here to meet our current board members.

Conservation districts are a special district chartered under RCW 89.08 etseq to develop and implement programs to protect and conserve Soil, Water, Prime and Unique Farmland, Rangeland, Woodland, Wildlife, Energy, and other renewable resources on nonfederal lands. Districts also stabilize local economies and resolve conflicts in land use.

If you want to get involved or become an associate supervisor contact the district or attend the monthly board meetings.  Our Board meets at 7:00 pm on the second Thursday of each month in our conference room.

Supervisor Role & Responsibilities

• Identify local natural resource conservation needs and develop and evaluate programs to meet them.
• Educate and inform landowners, farm operators, the general public, and local, state and federal legislators on conservation issues and programs.
• Supervise other volunteers and paid staff working with the District and coordinate with other agencies that partner with the District.
• Administer the District by delegating tasks through a structure of board officers and committees. Budget district funds and report on activities to the public.
• Coordinate assistance and funding from Federal, State, and local government, District associations, and private groups.
• Set policy for staff to implement.

Time Required

• A Supervisor’s term of office is three years. Supervisors are expected to attend 12 regularly scheduled board meetings per year, committee meetings, and other special meetings, for an average of 20 days/year.

Benefits

• Satisfaction in seeing conservation practices applied locally
• Interaction with others who are passionate about natural resource conservation
• Ability to provide input to local, State, and Federal conservation programs
• Training through the Washington Conservation Commission and the Washington Association of District Employees.

For more information on what a Supervisors/Board Members responsibilities are click here.

If you have any questions regarding elections or serving on the Board, contact Dawn Bekenyi at wcd@whatcomcd.org or 360-354-2035 x 101.