NYFOA Organizational Committees
Committees: The following are standing committees of the New York Forest Owners Association. Additional committees may be created on an ad hoc basis as needed. It is expected that each Board member at large will serve as the chair or co-chair on at least one, and no more than two, standing committees as part of their commitment to the Board and the Association. The President and Executive Director shall be members, ex officio, of each committee unless they are already designated as a member.
In addition, to any recurring duties required of these committees, the President shall assign specific charges and set priorities as needed to fulfill the President’s agenda and/or the mission of the Association. Likewise, where committee charges and priorities align with the objectives/directives set forth by the President and Board of Directors for the Executive Director, each applicable committee shall coordinate with and support the efforts and initiatives of the Executive Director to fulfill those objectives/directives.
Executive Committee –
Board of Directors
Finance/Budget Committee – Responsible for creating an annual budget for the Association based upon a review of past budget(s); this process shall include soliciting the President, Executive Director, and the other standing committees for spending requests and considering the spending requests from members as they are made. The budget development process shall begin no later than October with a draft budget to be provided to the Executive Committee for review and revision in November where a final draft shall be presented to the Board of Directors for approval by year end. In addition, this committee shall review and approve all expenditures of the Association and ensure that spending is consistent with what has been budgeted. Any spending that is to exceed that which is budgeted shall be brought to the Executive Committee for approval before purchases are made/ordered for goods or services. This committee is also responsible for grants management. This includes reviewing and approving requests for funds from other organizations/individuals as well as auditing those expenditures. They will provide written reports to the Executive Committee and Board on activities in fulfillment of the committee’s responsibilities. The committee shall be chaired by the Treasurer and shall include at least one other individual.
Membership Committee – Responsible for all matters related to maintaining and increasing membership, developing services for members, and assisting chapters in supporting their members. They will review and analyze membership numbers and provide advice to the Board on actions to take in response. They will review current benefits to members and explore options for additional services, e.g., discounts, educational programs, etc., that could be offered. Finally, they would act as a clearinghouse of ideas for chapters to assist them in providing programs and services to members statewide. They will coordinate with and support the Executive Director with his/her initiatives and assist him/her in the fulfilment of the committee’s responsibilities and will provide written reports to the Executive Committee and Board on committee activities. The committee shall be composed of a Chair/Co-Chairs, at least three other individuals, and with input, support, and guidance from the Executive Director.
External Affairs Committee – Responsible for review of issues affecting Association members at all levels of government and advising the Board regarding responses. This would include regulatory and legislative initiatives as well as kindred/peer organizations. They will review and analyze current affiliations and suggest additional ones as needed. The President, unless s/he otherwise designates, shall be the primary contact with government and other organizations. They will coordinate with and support the Executive Director with his/her initiatives and assist him/her in the fulfilment of the committee’s responsibilities and will provide written reports to the Executive Committee and Board on committee activities. The committee shall be composed of a Chair/Co-Chairs, at least three other individuals, and with input, support, and guidance from the Executive Director.
Programs Committee – Responsible for all statewide programs and assisting chapters with theirs. Specifically, this includes the annual meeting, special events, and chapter programs. Their role in assisting chapters is as advisors, not directors of those activities. In addition, they will be responsible for developing leadership training opportunities for members. Finally, they will market, review applications, and award scholarships to interested individuals and organizations/institutions. This is separate from grant programs administered by the Finance/Budget committee. They will coordinate with and support the Executive Director with his/her initiatives and assist him/her in the fulfilment of the committee’s responsibilities and will provide written reports to the Executive Committee and Board on committee activities. The committee shall be composed of a Chair/Co-Chairs, at least three other individuals, and with input, support, and guidance from the Executive Director.
Communications & Marketing Committee – Responsible for managing all media communications, outreach, and the image/branding of the Association. The Chair/Co-Chairs shall serve as the point person(s) for the Association to receive and disseminate information to the members of the Association, by coordinating the timely distribution of such information with the Association media editors and managers. The committee will coordinate with the Association Chapter newsletter editors to further disseminate information to the members of the Association as needed. The committee is not, however, directly responsible for oversight of, developing content for, or editing of the Association publications. The committee shall coordinate with the website manager, the Association leadership, and other applicable Association committees to monitor, manage, and organize website content/format, and advise on keeping the website relevant, useful, and up to date. The committee shall be responsible for organizing and coordinating the Association booth display and attendance at various events, shows, expos, etc. and is likewise responsible for maintaining the condition of the booth, ensuring it is adequately stocked with promotional content, and developing the various forms of educational and display content for the booth as needed. The committee shall assist the Association leadership with the general marketing and image/branding of the Association. They will coordinate with and support the Executive Director with his/her initiatives and assist him/her in the fulfilment of the committee’s responsibilities and will provide written reports to the Executive Committee and Board on committee activities. The committee shall be composed of a Chair/Co-Chairs, at least three other individuals, and with input, support, and guidance from the Executive Director. The managing editor of The Forest Owner Magazine, the editor(s) of the state E-Newsletter, the Association website manager, and the managers of any Association social media accounts will serve on the committee for coordination/collaboration purposes, but with no other expected responsibility than the respective management of the forms of media they are tasked with.
NYFOA Committee Roster – 2024
Executive
- President: Stacey Kazacos – Voluntary Extended Term
- Vice President: Vacant
- Treasurer: Nick Jensen
- Secretary: Beth Daut
- At-Large: Art Wagner
Finance
- Chair: Nick Jensen
- Members: TBD
Membership
- Chair: Vacant
- Members: Mike Gorham, Tony Rainville, John Knapp
External Affairs
- Chair: Hugh Canham
- Members: Art Wagner, Bob Somers, Beth Daut, Frank Winkler
Programs
- Chair: Vacant
- Members: Suzanne Treyger, Harmon Hoff, Jason Post
Communications & Marketing
- Chair: Vacant
- Members: Mike Jabot, Lew Ward