NPS PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL RECOMMENDED ACTIONS FOR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR PARTNERSHIPS, INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION, VOLUNTEERS, AND OUTDOOR RECREATION

NPS PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS FOR

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR PARTNERSHIPS, INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION, VOLUNTEERS,

AND OUTDOOR RECREATION

10/30/02

• STAFF THE WASO PARTNERSHIPS OFFICE to support servicewide partnership coordination and capacity building.  Quickly update the staffing plan to reflect expanded roles.  Get to critical mass of at least three core permanent staff.  Use emergency hires and details as needed in the near term.  Determine budget to include funds for staff, contractual services, and supplemental support to regions for initiatives that advance service-wide capacity building.

• NEGOTIATE WITH MARTHA AIKENS TO DETERMINE HOW TRAINING AND PARTNERSHIPS CAN EFFECTIVELY WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT CAPACITY.  Determine what training and informational resources can be focused on partnerships and assign lead staff to follow through.

• DECIDE TASKS FOR PC COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE RE: COUNCIL, CONFERENCE AND NATIONWIDE SYSTEM AND INTERNAL VS EXTERNAL FOCUS.

• COMPLETE LIST OF PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS AND ALTERNATES.

• PROVIDE AN ENTRE FOR KEY NPS PARTNERS TO WORK WITH PC THROUGH ESTABLISHMENT OF A PARTNER WORK GROUP UNDER THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM ADVISORY BOARD.  The Board would recruit a manageable number of key groups to participate in portions of the PC meetings.

• SCHEDULE NEXT PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL MEETING.  Recommend weeks of January 27 or February 3.  Need to sustain momentum on capacity building and fit with Partnerships Conference. 

• DIRECTOR’S NPS PARTNERSHIPS MEMO/LETTER.  Ensure it is released.

• DETERMINE DIRECTOR’S CONCERNS IN PURSUING THE UPDATE OF DO#21.

• RESOURCE THE PRODUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PARTNERSHIPS REFERENCE GUIDE AND WEBPAGE ON NPS WEBSITE.  Should serve NPS and partners.

• OPTIMIZE CHALLENGE COST SHARE PROGRAM.  Start with FY2003 awards.

• ADDRESS NPS PARTNERSHIP BARRIERS AND NEEDED ADDITIONAL AUTHORITIES LIST.  WORK ON NEEDED ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES.  Pursue for NPS and as appropriate with sister agencies.

• STRENGTHEN NPS-NPF WORKING RELATIONSHIP.

• PRODUCE PARTNERSHIPS BUSINESS PLAN.  Schedule and  resource a business plan for WASO Partnerships Office and broader partnerships program.

• DETERMINE WHETHER AND HOW THE PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL AND VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS SHOULD WORK TOGETHER.

• DEVELOP STRATEGY TO TURN RESULTS REPORTING TO OUR ADVANTAGE AND ADDRESS RELUCTANCE TO REPORT PARTNERSHIP RESULTS.