NOTICE OF INTENT: FY2017 Implementation of Management Plan

Description

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (hereafter ⿿Act⿝) Public Law No. 111-11, Title VIII, Subtitle A, Section 8001, established the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area and directs the Secretary of the Interior (hereafter ⿿Secretary⿝) to enter into a compact with Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area⿿s management entity, Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area, Inc (hereafter ⿿SdCNHA⿝). Unless otherwise specified herein, the terms and conditions as stated in the Cooperative Agreement will apply to this Task Agreement. National Heritage Areas are places where natural, cultural, historic and scenic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape arising from human activity shaped by geography. These patterns make National Heritage Areas representative of the national experience through the physical features that remain and the traditions that have evolved in them. These regions are acknowledged by Congress for their capacity to tell nationally important stories about our nation. This Task Agreement focuses on administration, public outreach, and grant projects that are identified in the management plan for the SdCNHA and serve a public purpose under Public Law No. 111-11. STATEMENT OF WORK Federal funds are closely monitored to ensure paid services, and other costs fall within federal guidelines and regulations. Responsible accounting practices are a priority for the organization and are supported by staff, Board Treasurer and an accountant. This year, the SdCNHA will focus on: administration and operations ￿ policies and procedures public outreach ￿ festivals ￿ education ￿ partnerships board development ￿ By-law revisions ￿ committee organization, planning and implementation ⿢ Executive Committee ⿢ Grants and Projects Committee ⿢ Marketing and Outreach Committee historic preservation projects ￿ grants program ￿ program developments ￿ partnership developments partnership with Colorado and New Mexico based National Heritage Areas and the ANHA ￿ Cache la Poudre National Heritage Area ￿ Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area ￿ Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area ￿ South Park Heritage Area Improving general project planning, oversight and management Position Management and Staffing The Management Plan for 2017 will include an Executive Director, a Financial Officer and an Administrative Assistant. The organization also hopes to avail itself of internship and in-kind opportunities as needs are identified. Board/Staff Training Schedule and Related Information It is a priority of the Board of Directors and staff to support training and orientation for new board members while also identifying training opportunities for existing board members and staff. Training topics have been identified during monthly board meetings and during 2016 board retreat. Topics for consideration this year include the following: ⿢ Task agreement, work plan, and reimbursement process ⿢ Roles and responsibilities of board members and board committees ⿢ SdCNHA policies and procedures ⿢ Rebranding ⿢ National Park Service and community partnership opportunities ⿢ Project Development ⿢ Alliance of National Heritage Areas meetings and partnerships To accomplish this goal of obtaining training, the heritage area will consider local resources, the National Park Service, on-line and in class training courses, conferences and shadowing staff in related positions when planning, organizing and prioritizing trainings. As board committees get organized, each will define its role in relationship to overall structure. Board committees will guide the Board in its initiatives and policies. The SdCNHA is a member of the Alliance of National Heritage Areas (ANHA) and will participate in both the fall and spring conferences and the Washington DC annual meeting. Staff will attend for training in best practices and for full participation in the advancement of NHAs nationally. Staff also travels locally to develop and maintain partnerships, represent the heritage area at meetings, visit heritage area sites and assist grantees when needed. Management Emphases for this Fiscal Year ⿿ FY17 work plan This section describes the various emphases that organization may want the program to specifically address in this fiscal year. Emphases Regarding Management Decisions ⿢ Establish clear guidelines, policies and procedures for how to conduct business within the organization and with external partners. o Prioritize and select Standard Operating Procedures for development with the assistance from staff and the National Park Service. o Continue to develop an employee policies and handbook, and Board of Directors orientation manual. o Continue to review and revise bylaws as needed. o Continue to review and revise a handbook for the grant program and revise the grant application, criteria, and contract agreements as necessary. o Review and revise employee contracts for existing staff and incoming staff as needed. o Continue to provide performance evaluations for all staff annually. ⿢ Implementing structure based on the short-term and long-term needs of the organization and select the best qualified candidates to carry out the mission, goals, and objectives of the heritage area. o Recruit, select, and train new staff and board members o Grant series trainings o Indesign program training o Human Resource trainings ⿢ Support professional development opportunities for current staff and board members: o Plan and execute an annual board retreat ⿢ Marketing and Advertising o Buy advertisement in strategic publications to maximize SdCNHA programs, goals and accomplishments. o Produce at least two press releases per month regarding programs, goals and accomplishments of the SdCNHA o Partner with other Colorado NHAs in a proposal to Colorado Tourism Office for a statewide NHA Marketing Plan o Annual Report ⿢ Produce PSAs for radio stations especially KRZA, the local NPR station o Attend at least 5 local community festivals and distribute information and brochures on the programs, goals and accomplishments of the SdCNHA o Daily social media posts of events, history o Commissioner annual meetings, community outreach with local boards NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AGREES TO: 1. Provide advisory, technical and financial assistance to SdCNHA regarding the implementation of the management plan. 2. Review SdCNHA⿿s list of applicants and recommended subgrants to ensure compliance with the heritage area⿿s management plan, enabling legislation, and costs principles found within 2 CFR 200. 3. Provide technical assistance on projects requiring Section 106 consultation, by advising on the appropriate level of effect, reviewing projects for compliance with the Secretary of Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, and facilitating consultation efforts between SdCNHA and the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office. 4. Review and comment on draft planning documents for projects listed within Attachment A, upon the request of SdCNHA or the NPS.

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