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It is my privilege to be the Colorado <br />Watershed Assembly's first Executive <br />Director. Over the past four years, the <br />volunteer effort by numerous people <br />within our organization has been <br />tremendous and poised us for success. <br />Fortunately, I was involved in the <br />formation of the Colorado Watershed <br />Assembly and served on the Board of <br />Directors for over a year. Overlapping <br />some of this, I was also the founding <br />Executive Director of the Roaring <br />Fork Conservancy in Basalt from <br />1997 until January 2005. Earlier years <br />were spent growing up on the Front <br />Range near Red Rocks and attending <br />college at the University of Colorado <br />and Colorado State University. For <br />me, Colorado is home — having spent <br />over 40 years exploring and seeking <br />adventure in every corner of the state. <br />As I undertake this new role at the <br />CWA my personal goal is to represent <br />all areas of Colorado in a non- biased <br />and equal manner. <br />For the Assembly, this coming <br />year will be a crucial time of planning <br />and prioritizing. We have received <br />assistance through funding from a 319 <br />Nonpoint Source grant. This will allow <br />us to achieve the following: <br />• Provide new and existing <br />watershed groups with technical <br />assistance, capacity building, and <br />overall guidance in becoming <br />active members of the Colorado <br />watershed community. <br />2 <br />• Promote public knowledge about <br />watershed issues and increase <br />public involvement in watershed <br />protection and restoration <br />activities. <br />• Increase attendance by 40% at <br />both the annual Nonpoint Source <br />Forum and the Colorado Watershed <br />Assembly annual conference in <br />three years through improved and <br />expanded efforts to coordinate and <br />publicize the events. <br />Create a 5 -year strategic plan for <br />the Colorado Watershed Assembly <br />that includes long -term funding <br />strategies. <br />Beyond these goals we will refine <br />and prioritize our document "The Road <br />Ahead for the Colorado Watershed <br />Assembly." This will happen in October <br />2005, when we will come together and <br />plan for the coming year. <br />The Assembly exists to help you <br />succeed in your local efforts. We know <br />that coordinating a watershed group <br />and then stretching to be involved at <br />the state and national levels can, at <br />times, be overwhelming. But when <br />a/ When we do come <br />together, there is value <br />in networking, sharing. <br />resources, and seeking <br />collective funds. if <br />we do come together, there is value <br />in networking, sharing resources, <br />and seeking collective funds. Our <br />challenges are not easy! We are each <br />leaders in our communities and very <br />passionate about our beliefs. We may <br />learn that we will not always agree, <br />but we do have the ability to reach <br />consensus and move forward. <br />My hope is that we will determine <br />how the Assembly can best serve <br />Colorado's watershed groups. And <br />with time we will grow to include more <br />agencies and other water- related interest <br />groups. Personally, I am honored to <br />have this position and believe with your <br />support and participation Colorado will <br />benefit from our efforts. <br />Ilk <br />Jeanne Beatiidrv, Executive Director <br />Colorado Watershed Assembly <br />I., <br />I <br />❑ <br />r <br />M <br />D <br />v <br />0 <br />D <br />M <br />A <br />❑ <br />A <br />❑ <br />m <br />X <br />N <br />N <br />N <br />m <br />D <br />to <br />D <br /><7 <br />0 <br />00 <br />0� <br />N <br />L <br />M <br />D <br />Z <br />Z <br />M <br />co <br />M <br />D <br />C <br />v <br />M <br />-C <br />