FLORIDA SEE'S 2015-2016 GOALS and OBJECTIVES

Dear Members and Friends,

Expansion of our Certification program across the state of Florida remains our No. 1 goal. Everything we do is in support and pursuit of that priority. We're always looking for ways to expand the program. Here's a list of what's on the agenda for the coming year (so far...):

BOARD SUMMIT: The Florida SEE Board of Directors will convene in Tampa in September to set the course for the year. Once again, the Patel College of Global Sustainability is generously hosting this all-day strategy and planning session. Certified Providers and anyone interested in chairing a committee are welcome to attend and share their ideas for moving the organization forward.

RECRUIT FOR BOARD VACANCIES: The Florida SEE by-laws currently allow for a Board of up to 16 members. There are currently (4) vacancies. There are also currently (4) regions of the state where Florida SEE is not represented: Northwest, Northeast, Central, Southeast. Therefore, Florida SEE will be seeking candidates for the Board of Directors in these regions. Anyone interested in serving on our Board and becoming a leader in their region should email us at INFO@FloridaSEE.org

ONLINE CERTIFICATION APPLICATION: Up until now, the Certification application process has consisted of printing and manually filling out a PDF form. Through the generosity of one of our Associate Member organizations, Florida SEE Certification candidates will be able to work through the application process online, save drafts as they go, and even process the application fee online. We're still kicking the tires, and hope to announce the launch very soon. Many thanks to the Environmental Coalition of Florida for making this happen!

RECERTIFICATIONS: Florida SEE Certification must be renewed every three years. The recertification process is a review similar to the original process. Recertification may also be an opportunity for a provider to achieve the next level of Certification, by qualifying for more bonus points. A few of the very first Certified Ecotour Providers are now up for renewal. We're exited to be passing this milestone in our history!

TRAINING CERTIFICATION LEADS AND ASSESSORS: We have identified solid opportunities to certify candidates in the Southwest/Central West area, as well as in the Northwest/North Central regions. New candidates need to be guided through the process, and then reviewed by an anonymous "secret shopper" assessor. We'll be training new leads and assessors so we'll be ready when these opportunities strike.

NEW EDUCATION CHAIR AND WEBINAR SERIES: During the 2014-2015 term, we lost several Board members due to personal circumstances. As a result, our education program came to an abrupt halt. Florida SEE is currently an all-volunteer organization, and we weren't able to recruit a new volunteer Education Chair... until now! We're pleased to announce that we're welcoming back Joy Hazell, a former member of our Board, in the capacity of Education Chair. Joy is a natural teacher. She's Sea Grant agent and also taught my very first Florida Master Naturalist course. I'm excited to be working with her, and I know that we can once again expect great things from our education program.

JOIN THE TEAM! As you can see, it's going to be a busy year at Florida SEE, and we'd love for each and every one of you to be involved in our success. You can be a part of it all by volunteering to serve on the committee that interests you the most.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE: Help to coordinate and implement environmental education webinars - or present one of your own.
FINANCE COMMITTEE: Are budgeting, fundraising, grant writing, or spreadsheets your thing? We've got a place for you.
CERTIFICATION OOMMITTEE: Train to be an assessor or a certification lead. Assist with the application process and help to identify and remediate obstacles to certification. Put on your super sleuth hat and evaluate an ecotour anonymously.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: Help to identify, recruit, and retain members of all varieites. Individuals, Associates, Board members, committee chairs and members - they're all vital to the success of this organization, and they're out there just waiting for you to find and engage them.

Thanks so much for sticking with us. We're determined to continue our mission and grow our membership and our Certified Providers list thoughout the state of Florida. With your help, I know we can do it.

Best Regards,
Erin White
Board Chair


Letter from the Board Chair: Florida SEE's 2015-2016 Goals and Objectives Erin White, Board Chair FLORIDA SEE'S 2015-2016 GOALS and OBJECTIVES Dear Members and Friends, Expansion of our Certification program across the state of Florida remains our No. 1 goal. Everything we do is in support and pursuit of that priority. We're always looking for ways to expand the program. Here's a list of what's on the agenda for the coming year (so far...): BOARD SUMMIT: The Florida SEE Board of Directors will convene in Tampa in September to set the course for the year. Once again, the Patel College of Global Sustainability is generously hosting this all-day strategy and planning session. Certified Providers and anyone interested in chairing a committee are welcome to attend and share their ideas for moving the organization forward. RECRUIT FOR BOARD VACANCIES: The Florida SEE by-laws currently allow for a Board of up to 16 members. There are currently (4) vacancies. There are also currently (4) regions of the state where Florida SEE is not represented: Northwest, Northeast, Central, Southeast. Therefore, Florida SEE will be seeking candidates for the Board of Directors in these regions. Anyone interested in serving on our Board and becoming a leader in their region should email us at INFO@FloridaSEE.org ONLINE CERTIFICATION APPLICATION: Up until now, the Certification application process has consisted of printing and manually filling out a PDF form. Through the generosity of one of our Associate Member organizations, Florida SEE Certification candidates will be able to work through the application process online, save drafts as they go, and even process the application fee online. We're still kicking the tires, and hope to announce the launch very soon. Many thanks to the Environmental Coalition of Florida for making this happen! RECERTIFICATIONS: Florida SEE Certification must be renewed every three years. The recertification process is a review similar to the original process. Recertification may also be an opportunity for a provider to achieve the next level of Certification, by qualifying for more bonus points. A few of the very first Certified Ecotour Providers are now up for renewal. We're exited to be passing this milestone in our history! TRAINING CERTIFICATION LEADS AND ASSESSORS: We have identified solid opportunities to certify candidates in the Southwest/Central West area, as well as in the Northwest/North Central regions. New candidates need to be guided through the process, and then reviewed by an anonymous "secret shopper" assessor. We'll be training new leads and assessors so we'll be ready when these opportunities strike. NEW EDUCATION CHAIR AND WEBINAR SERIES: During the 2014-2015 term, we lost several Board members due to personal circumstances. As a result, our education program came to an abrupt halt. Florida SEE is currently an all-volunteer organization, and we weren't able to recruit a new volunteer Education Chair... until now! We're pleased to announce that we're welcoming back Joy Hazell, a former member of our Board, in the capacity of Education Chair. Joy is a natural teacher. She's Sea Grant agent and also taught my very first Florida Master Naturalist course. I'm excited to be working with her, and I know that we can once again expect great things from our education program. JOIN THE TEAM! As you can see, it's going to be a busy year at Florida SEE, and we'd love for each and every one of you to be involved in our success. You can be a part of it all by volunteering to serve on the committee that interests you the most. EDUCATION COMMITTEE: Help to coordinate and implement environmental education webinars - or present one of your own. FINANCE COMMITTEE: Are budgeting, fundraising, grant writing, or spreadsheets your thing? We've got a place for you. CERTIFICATION OOMMITTEE: Train to be an assessor or a certification lead. Assist with the application process and help to identify and remediate obstacles to certification. Put on your super sleuth hat and evaluate an ecotour anonymously. MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: Help to identify, recruit, and retain members of all varieites. Individuals, Associates, Board members, committee chairs and members - they're all vital to the success of this organization, and they're out there just waiting for you to find and engage them. Thanks so much for sticking with us. We're determined to continue our mission and grow our membership and our Certified Providers list thoughout the state of Florida. With your help, I know we can do it. Best Regards, Erin White Board Chair
The Florida SEE Grapevine - August 2015