Becky Fletcher
January 2026:
Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were happy and joyful. ARCSE has been busy these past two months, and we are not slowing down as we slide into 2026.
- Watch for the announcement of another all-member video conference meeting coming soon featuring national leaders discussing the Farm Bill, budgeting and other important updates.
- We will be partnering again with SWCS to hire a summer intern. An announcement will be coming out soon.
- Our membership drive continues through April – please jump in and ask at least one person to join us. We are especially targeting those who recently retired from NRCS.
- Our social media efforts are stronger than ever and attracting new followers.
- We continue to seek mentors for new NRCS employees.
- We have new partnership training opportunities coming our way.
Special thanks to Craig Derickson, Julie MacSwain, Paul Benedict, Chris Tippie, Jack Carlson and Becky Ross for their help in organizing the last two online meetings for members and state representatives. We have received positive feedback on these sessions and will continue to look for opportunities to share information with you. There are several important updates in this issue of the newsletter. Please take a moment to read. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, please know we are dedicated to helping you stay connected.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Becky Fletcher
November 2025:
Fall is here, and the holidays are right around the corner. It’s hard to believe this unprecedented year is already winding down. As of today, we remain in a government shutdown, yet it’s remarkable how much continues to feel “normal” despite the uncertainty. I believe that’s a testament to the dedication and resilience of federal employees and agencies across the nation.
If you’re able, please reach out to support furloughed employees during this challenging time. Many of us have weathered shutdowns before, but none quite like this. More than ever, it reminds me how important it is that we stay connected and encourage one another.
Looking ahead, we have a great opportunity to do just that on November 7th, when you are invited to visit via Zoom with Harold Klaege, retired state conservationist and Nebraska president of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE). Harold will share insights on legislative activities that affect retirees and conservation, as well as updates on the federal budget, retiree benefits, and insurance issues. There will be time for questions and discussion afterward. The Zoom link contact information for the conference is shown below.
Our Membership Drive kicked off in September, and we’re off to a strong start thanks to the efforts of Chris Tippie, Paul Benedict, and Becky Ross. We all know that a personal invitation goes a long way—what if each of us asked just one person to join ARCSE? Hundreds of NRCS employees have retired or left the agency this year, with more expected in the months ahead. Let’s connect with them now to get their personal contact information before they leave. Remember, the first year of
membership is free! Details are available in this newsletter and at ARCSE.org.
One last thing—have you checked our Facebook page lately? Julie MacSwain is our new media coordinator, and she is doing an amazing job. There are several new posts each week, and we are getting lots of interaction with retirees. If you like what you see, please invite others to follow our page. There is an “invite link” on the right side of the page. Click on the three dots for a drop-down menu and then click “invite friends.” A list of your friends will appear, and you can select those you
want to invite. Don’t forget the spouses or partners of retirees. This is just one more way to stay in touch with our SCS/NRCS family.
As we move into the busy holiday season, keep an eye out for more ARCSE updates as we continue work on our plan of action. I wish you and your loved ones a safe, peaceful, and joyful holiday season—and a very happy New Year!
________________________________________________________________________________________
Becky Fletcher
September 2025:
It’s hard to believe that summer is ending and the ARCSE Aug. 4 th annual meeting is over. What a great time we had in Costa Mesa at the Annual SWCS Conference. Although the numbers were down this year, there was a warm comradery among attendees. It was good to reconnect with our friends and colleagues.
The conference theme, “Conservation Coast to Coast” allowed for a wide range of topics about soil health, regenerative agriculture, water supply, quality and management, erosion control, community and outreach efforts, and more. The interesting and informative sessions during the day were followed by time with exhibitors and poster presenters, and evening receptions on the hotel terraces with cool ocean breezes.
Thirty-seven members and guests joined us in person or via Zoom for the annual meeting. We were pleased to have State Conservationist Carlos Suarez welcome us and give us an overview of the challenges of managing southern California’s water supply, delivery and use for agriculture. New this year was our first-ever symposium. We collaborated with Women in NRCS (WiN) to talk about the importance of senior mentors for NRCS employees. We had a good discussion and
gained insights into possible next steps. Special thanks to Cheryl Simmons, Craig Derickson, Paul Benedict, Jack Carlson and Julie MacSwain for their help in organizing these events.
Congratulations to our 2024–25 award winners. I don’t think we’ve ever had so many. Bill Kuenstler and Rev. Dr. Clifford Jones received the community service award. Melvin Womack, Donna Beggs, and Craig Derickson received the President’s Meritorious Service Award. And Dick Gooby, Cheryl Simmons, and Don Stettler received the President’s Distinguished Service Award. Please read more about these awards in the newsletter.
We had so much fun working with our interns this year – Chloe Haymaker and Ismael De Lara. Under Courtney Allen’s leadership, they accomplished their work plan tasks and helped out during the annual meeting. We are grateful to have this
opportunity to support interns who in turn plan activities for students at the conference each year and assist with our communications and marketing efforts.
I have to say I felt a bit overwhelmed when Julie bequeathed me the ceremonious gavel (through Cheryl) on August 4 th . We have a lot of momentum going thanks to these two leaders, and I want to be sure we stay on task, moving forward.
We have started the year with a new plan of work that follows the strategic plan we developed a couple of years ago. With the success of last year’s membership drive we plan to do another – starting now! We will also be continuing our work with our
partnership MOUs with the NRCS mentoring program and New Solutions Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services program.
In closing, I want to thank Arnold King, Donna Beggs and Melvin Womack who are leaving the board after years of dedicated leadership. They have been publicly acknowledged for their service, but I want them to know that they will be greatly missed. Wherever you are, enjoy the fall season and stay connected.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Becky Fletcher
July 2025:
Greetings Fellow Members! I hope you are enjoying your summer and making lots of memories. It is my honor to be taking the helm as president of ARCSE at the annual meeting on August 4th in Costa Mesa, CA. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving on the board since 2020, first as the Midwest region vice president and then as president-elect. I already know many of you (or at least recognize your name), and I’m looking forward to getting to know those of you whom I have not met.
I want to thank Julie MacSwain for her outstanding leadership over the past two years. We have taken huge strides to create a stronger social media presence, improve our administration and operations, collaborate with new partners, and bring in new members. Julie and her predecessor Arnold King have worked to bring ARCSE to a whole new level of operation, and I know I have big shoes to fill.
This fiscal year is off to a great start with a new annual plan of work in place, plans for another membership drive, continued efforts in our mentoring program, support of New Horizons and NRCS in the Agricultural Conservation Employees Service (ACES) program, and an exciting new way for members who are musicians to share their interest and talents with us.
Through our close working relationship with SWCS we have two special interns working with us this summer: Chloe Haymaker, Texas A&M; and Ismael DeLara, Purdue University. Their interest in learning about our organization and enthusiasm in working together on projects has been most enjoyable. Read more about Chloe and Ismael in this issue of the newsletter.
Please help me welcome our new board members: Janet Perry, regional vice president for the East; John Mueller, regional vice president for the south; and Becky Ross, treasurer. I’m looking forward to working with these folks. Donna Beggs, Melvin Womack and Bill Kuenstler will be greatly missed, and I thank them for their outstanding work and commitment to ARCSE.
In closing, it’s hard to write or even carry on a conversation these days without talking about the uncertainty of our times. Even when things are quieter, life still seems off balance. I hope you received Julie’s recent email message. If not, I’m sharing it again here because I think it’s a message we all need to hear and a great reminder that many of our SCS/NRCS (and FPAC) family need to hear from us.
“Our support of NRCS and FPAC employees – both still working and recently retired/resigned is critical. Feeling connected and that someone cares when your world is so uncertain is important. I encourage you to reach out to others.”
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Julie “JMac” Macswain
May 2025:
As my tenure as President of ARCSE comes to an end, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to serve on the board and collaborate with members across the country. I began my journey as President-Elect in July 2021, shortly after retiring from NRCS with over 36 years of service. This experience has been both rewarding and unforgettable.
During our time together, we accomplished significant milestones, including expanding our presence on social media with the creation of the ARCSE Facebook page and ARCSE Flickr account. We also developed our first-ever Strategic Plan and Annual Plan of Work for ARCSE. Additionally, we signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)—one with NRCS and the other with NEW Solutions (ACES). A considerable amount of effort went into the MOU with NRCS, which focuses on launching a Mentor Program. We also held our first Membership Drive for ARCSE and recently introduced the ARCSE Musicians Project.
None of these achievements would have been possible without the dedication of the ARCSE Boards and the support of ARCSE members. It’s truly incredible what we can accomplish when we work together. #GoTeam!
I want to extend my sincere thanks to Chris Tippie and Paul Benedict for leading the first-ever ARCSE Membership Drive. A special thank you to all the Members who participated in recruiting new Members. Please refer to the ARCSE membership report in this Newsletter for more details. One of ARCSE’s recent initiatives is the SCS/NRCS Musicians Project, spearheaded by three ARCSE members: Douglas Toews (CA), Dennis Clute (TX), and Bill Ward (CA). Please read Bill Ward’s California NRCS report for further details and to explore biographies of SCS/NRCS Musicians. You can find more information on the ARCSE website at https://arcse.org/musicians/.
Growing up on a small farm in Blanchardville, Wisconsin, music was an integral part of my community and school life. Like many of my classmates, I took advantage of opportunities to explore music and pursued that passion through my college years. However, as my professional career in conservation took priority, music gradually faded into the background. It wasn’t until retirement that I was able to rekindle my love for it. Now, music has once again become a meaningful and fulfilling part of my daily life.
This Musicians’ Project is a tribute to those, like me, who have dedicated their careers to conservation, while also carrying a deep passion for music. It celebrates the many talented individuals within the Soil Conservation Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and partner agencies who have balanced their professional commitments with artistic expression. Music and conservation may seem like different worlds, but both require creativity, discipline, and a profound appreciation for harmony—whether in sound or in nature.
May this collection of biographies serve as an inspiration, reminding us that no matter where life takes us, our passions remain a part of who we are.
With so much change happening in the NRCS these days, I encourage you to take a moment to express appreciation to current NRCS employees for their service. A few words of encouragement can go a long way, especially during times of transition.
Reading this Newsletter every two months is always a highlight for me as an ARCSE member. I enjoy learning about the incredible things our retirees are doing across the country. Thank you all for sharing your experiences!
Keep up the great work, my friends! It has been an honor to serve as the ARCSE President.
___________________________________________________________________________
March 2025:
On behalf of the ARCSE Boards, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all of you as Members to vote for our ARCSE Elections. Every two years during an odd year (2025), our elections take place. The ballot includes President Elect, and the Regional VPs for the East, South, Midwest, and the West. Please follow the instructions contained on the ballot for the election. Thank you in advance for your support for this important ARCSE activity. Download the ballot here: 2025 Election Ballot. Please submit ballots by June 15th, 2025.
The concentrated ARSCE membership drive is underway through April 15th, 2025. Membership forms have been updated, so that new Members can identify who recruited them. Please visit our website to learn more about the membership drive and obtain the most current membership program. https://arcse.org/membership-drive/.
A special thank you to Chris Tippie and Paul Benedict for their role in developing this first-ever membership drive.
Thank you to all our Members in ARCSE who have stepped up to provide various roles and responsibilities, so that our organization can continue to thrive in the next 50 years and beyond. Members, State Reps., ARCSE Advisors, and Board members all play a significant role. This newsletter is a great way for all of us to stay in touch with one another. If you are a member and you haven’t contributed to our Newsletter, please reach out to your State Representative and share an article and a picture. Our Newsletter is also shared every two months with National and State NRCS Leadership. Keeping in touch with the NRCS is vital for not only maintaining our membership, but in continuing to grow as an organization.
My first-ever experience with ARCSE and State Retirees was when I served as the state public affairs specialist in Minnesota. Bill Hunt, MN State Conservationist, brought together Tom Christiansen, Regional Conservationist, NRCS Leadership, and SCS/NRCS retirees from throughout Minnesota. Hunt felt strongly that NRCS employees needed to get to know the retirees, and by having an event together, he was able to accomplish this. The pictures below are from the spring, 2009 event in St, Cloud, Minnesota.
Thank you for being a member of ARCSE. Together, we can and will make a difference in our organization. If you are aware of someone who has recently retired or is getting close to going out the door, please let them know about ARCSE. For additional information regarding membership, visit our website: https://arcse.org/join/.
___________________________________________________________________________
January 2025:
On behalf of the ARCSE Board, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a very Happy New Year! As you know, in 2024, our organization celebrated our 50th anniversary. Reaching this milestone achievement for our organization was a big deal. A special thank you to the ARCSE leadership and membership for your continued commitment to our organization.
A concentrated ARSCE membership drive is underway and extends through April 15th, 2025. Membership forms have been updated so that new members can identify who recruited them. Please visit our website to learn more about the membership drive and obtain the most current membership program: https://arcse.org/membership-drive/.
A special thank you to Chris Tippie and Paul Benedict for their role in developing this first-ever membership drive. And thank you to our members for their assistance in growing our organization in the next few months.
A few members of the ARCSE Board met with the Regional Conservationists (RCs) on Nov 14th. This was the first-time the Board and RCs met virtually, to share information with one another. Kasey Taylor and James Taylor were the RCs in attendance. They were provided with updates regarding the progress ARCSE has made with the annual plan of work, and efforts on ARCSE providing mentoring to NRCS employees. This led to some excellent real-time discussions. We will continue this collaboration a few times a year.
Remember that there are many ways to stay in touch with our organization. Many of the State Representatives are involved in planning luncheons for the retirees a few times per year. emails are sent to members, and a few of the State Reps are holding Zoom meetings. Additionally, we have a presence on Facebook, Flickr, ARCSE Webpage, and our bi-monthly newsletter.
Thank you for being a member of ARCSE. Together, we can and will make a difference in our organization. If you know of someone who has recently retired, or is going to retire, reach out and let them know about ARCSE. For additional information regarding membership, visit our website: https://arcse.org/join/
___________________________________________________________________________
November 2024:
It’s hard to believe that 2024 is ending in a few months. Over this past year, we at ARCSE have accomplished a great deal. The development of the ARCSE Strategic Plan and the Annual Plan of Work have been good directions for our organization to take. The ARCSE Boards and I appreciate your continued commitment to our organization.
For members who joined ARCSE in 2024, your first year of membership was free. We hope that you consider thereafter joining our organization and continue to stay in touch and involved with the retirees. Please refer to Paul Benedict’s Membership article in this newsletter.
In this issue you will find some reports about our first ever Membership Drive, more updates regarding Mentoring, and how ARCSE can play a role in serving as mentors for NRCS. These are all ways that you can consider being involved as a member of ARCSE.
Next steps in 2024–2025 Action Plan for ARCSE Mentoring efforts:
1. Training – The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Team will look for relevant training to provide to ARCSE members on what mentoring is and what ARCSE members should expect if they opt to get involved. A mentoring video will be recorded in the near term by Craig Derickson, Samantha Ziph, and Becky Fletcher.
2. Identify State Mentoring Contact – The MOU Team will look into identifying a State Mentoring Liaison/Coordinator to improve communication and follow-up with State NRCS staff. The Team will actively work to more formally recruit ARCSE members for mentoring.
3. Link to NRCS at NHQ – The MOU Team will work to contact NRCS staff who have a responsibility in mentoring and employee development so that we have a more direct line of contact and communication with them.
Life experiences should be shared, and young people need positive role models in their lives. Retirees are valuable mentors for youth because they have lived through the ups and downs in the different phases of life and jobs, relationships, and finances. Volunteering at a youth mentoring program, like the U.S. Dream Academy, that encourages youth to be the best they can be, is rewarding for both the retirees and the kids they are helping.
Thank you to Craig Derickson, Becky Fletcher, Chris Tippe, and Bill Ward, for serving on this Team. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Team.
___________________________________________________________________________
September 2024:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the ARCSE Board, Advisors, and members for their support of our recent ARCSE meeting which took place on July 22nd, 2024 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Over this past year, Cheryl Simmons, Craig Derickson, Jack Carlson, Becky Fletcher, Chris Tippe, and Melvin Womack worked hard to plan a meeting to celebrate our 50 years as an organization. As the saying goes, “Many hands make good work.” Thank you.
At our ARCSE meeting, three ARCSE members were recognized. Arnold King, Distinguished Service Award; Barbara Osgood, Community Service Award; and Nancy Paolini, Meritorious Award. Please check out the article written by Becky Fletcher regarding this award recognition. Congratulations Arnold, Barbara, and Nancy. We are proud of your accomplishments.
And, ARCSE and the National Experienced Workforce (NEW Solutions) signed a Memorandum of Understanding at our ARCSE meeting. This agreement will provide an opportunity for ARCSE and NEW Solutions. “WHEREAS the First Party (ARCSE) and the Second Party (NEW Solutions) work together to achieve the goal of furthering and promoting voluntary conservation assistance delivery in the United States by fostering an increase participation of qualified ARCSE members in the ACES Program as determined by and through the USDA NRCS.” Becky Fletcher, President-Elect signed this agreement with Lisa Lee, Managing Director, Programs NEW Solutions [A special thanks goes out to NEW Solutions for providing refreshments at the ARCSE Annual Meeting]. Please refer to the article written by Becky Fletcher for more information. A copy of the MOU will be available on the ARCSE website.
A special thank you to Nithin Gudderra, SWCS intern, for your assistance in handling the streaming via Facebook of our ARCSE meeting. This was a first for ARCSE, and based on feedback, the effort was well received. ARCSE will be keeping with its tradition of holding our annual meeting/board meeting in conjunction with the SWCS meeting.
ARCSE is grateful for the dedication of its members, and I would like to thank you for all that you do for our organization. In 2024, we developed our first ever Strategic Plan and Annual Plan of Work, with 70 percent of our tasks completed or in progress. We also held virtual training for our state representatives. This training provided the state representatives with some foundational information about ARCSE, and about their roles and responsibilities. You are right, taking on these various workload items is something that is new for ARCSE.
Please check our ARCSE.org website to see a copy of our Annual Report for 2023-2024.
Last but not least, please keep membership of ARCSE on your mind. Like many organizations, our membership numbers change monthly. If you know of anyone who is retiring, please share with them information about ARCSE. The first year is free to retirees. And, keep in mind we do have Affiliate memberships available for active NRCS employees, or for others interested in ARCSE.
Keep shining! Thank you! I am scheduled to have eye surgery on Sept. 24th. Don’t know how long it will take to recover to use the computer–Julie.
___________________________________________________________________________
July 2024:
On behalf of your ARCSE Governing Board and Board of Advisors, I hope that you are enjoying your retirement with your friends, family, and community.
The 2024 Soil and Water Conservation Society International Annual Conference will be held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Sunday, July 21st through Wednesday, July 24th. For many years, ARCSE is keeping its tradition of holding our annual meeting/board meeting in conjunction with the SWCS meeting.
This year’s annual meeting will be held on Monday, July 22nd, from 1:30pm – 5:00pm at the Sheraton, 2101 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. To review the agenda for our meeting, please visit our ARCSE website at https://arcse.org/annual-meeting/.
After the ARCSE meeting, we are invited to attend the SWCS poster session from 5:00 – 7:00pm. Hors d’oeuvres will be available to munch on. There is no cost to attend the ARCSE meeting from 1:30pm – 5:00pm. If you want to stay and attend the SWCS poster session, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, and have the time to visit with retirees as well as SWCS members, there will be a charge of $35.
Instructions for registering for hors d’oeuvres and poster session after June 3rd:
1. Visit https://registration.socio.events/e/swcs2024
2. In the box that says “Enter Access or Discount Code” type in
24ARCSEMEMBERLATE and select “apply.”
3. The “Guest Ticket(s) for Exhibitor and Poster Reception” at the $35 rate will show up at the top– select the number of tickets you need.
4. Select “Get Ticket” on the right side of the screen and continue with the registration process.
Please note that you do NOT have to be an ARCSE or SWCS member to attend. I hope to see you on July 22nd.
Since ARCSE was founded in 1974, we have enjoyed the participation of thousands of resource conservation professionals and support staff – reaching all the way back to the 1930’s founding of the Soil Conservation Service and the Civilian Conservation Corps, and forward to the cutting edge of today’s conservation programs.
Please join me in 2024 to celebrate our 50th anniversary of ARCSE. We at ARCSE remain committed to the future of conservation and to the people who will make it happen. I, like you, feel blessed to have worked for an agency in which people truly care about each other, and where friends continue to stay in touch as the years fly by.
Finally, please help ARCSE grow by sharing information about ARCSE and how to join (https://arcse.org/join/). The best way to keep our organization fully functional in the next 50 years is by growing our membership. Thank you in advance for your assistance!
If you are interested in attending these sessions, please visit the SWCS website at https://www.swcs.org/events/conferences/2024-annual-conference/ to learn more.
___________________________________________________________________________
May 2024:
On behalf of the ARCSE Board I wish to thank you for your continued support of our organization. Staying connected in retirement after a career can be a challenge. Dana Dukes York and Cheryl Simmons, former ARCSE President, encouraged me to join ARCSE. I was told that joining ARCSE would be a great way to not only reconnect with ARCSE members, but also to connect with new people.
ARCSE is turning 50 in 2024. If you have some stories that you would like to share from back in the day when you worked with SCS and/or NRCS, please go ahead and share some of those memories. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Please join me in welcoming Becky Fletcher to the ARCSE President-Elect position. Ms. Fletcher will be replacing Mary Podoll who has stepped down for family and business reasons. Thank you, Mary for the time that you served ARCSE. Becky will do a great job in carrying on in the President-Elect position. Please be prepared to lend a helping hand if she reaches out.
Please join me in welcoming Chris Tippe as the new Midwest Regional Vice President. He will be replacing Becky Fletcher. Thank you, Chris for stepping up to lead in this position and thank you Becky for the time you have served the Midwest.
On May 17th, 2024, from 10:30am–12:00pm a training session will be held for our ARCSE State Representatives. Please be on the lookout for an email from Jerry Bernard, ARCSE Newsletter Editor. He will be sending out an email that will contain the Zoom meeting information and a brief agenda for the meeting. This will be a great opportunity for ARCSE State Reps who have served for a long time or for our new Reps to learn more about what your roles and responsibilities are for ARCSE.
Our upcoming Annual Meeting for ARCSE in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. On Monday, July 22nd, 2024, 1:30–5:00pm
ARCSE Annual Business Meeting, 1:30–2:45pm. Our opening segment is for association members and others interested in learning more about ARCSE goals and activities. Leadership from NRCS, SWCS, ARCSE, and other organizations will speak on topics involving conservation policy and program direction, cross-generation engagement, and other priority ARCSE interests.
Historical Review of Conservation in the Piedmont and Coastal Regions of the Carolinas, 3:00-4:00pm. This segment for ARCSE members, guest retirees, and interested SWCS registrants kicks off with the presentation of awards for community service and exceptional contribution to the ARCSE. As we initiated last year at the Iowa meeting, we feature a historical review of conservation in the region surrounding the conference venue, this year the Piedmont and Coastal regions of the Carolinas from the perspective of long-time and current conservation employees in the area from the early beginnings to today. Thanks much to acting STC Jamie Keith and staff for helping put this together.
The Basics of Mentoring, 4:00–5:00pm. This segment is open to all retirees and SWCS conference attendees and covers basic mentoring approaches and techniques, for those interested in becoming an ARCSE member or want a refresher. The recent NRCS/ARCSE Memorandum of Understanding gives emphasis to tapping into the reservoir of experience and knowledge of retired conservationists. Many mentors with this experience are needed for the new hires coming on board to provide technical assistance and program support to climate-smart initiatives and the new farm bill.
Retirees participating in any these ARCSE sessions, but not registered for the SWCS conference, have the option of purchasing a discounted ticket to the Exhibit and Poster Reception immediately following for further networking with fellow conservationists.
Association of Retired Conservation Service Employees
If you are interested in attending these sessions, please visit the SWCS website at https://www.swcs.org/events/conferences/2024-annual-conference/ to learn more.
Thank you! –Julie
___________________________________________________________________________
March 2024:
Greetings!
On behalf of your ARCSE Board and Advisors, I wish to take this opportunity to thank you for participating in our recent ARCSE survey. This was the first time that ARCSE has ever reached out to the ARCSE membership for input. A special “thank you” goes to Frank Clearfield, a retired NRCS social scientist and ARCSE member, who volunteered to help develop the survey.
The ARCSE Volunteer and Communications Survey results are shown later in this newsletter and are also posted on the ARCSE.org website.
___________________________________________________________________________
January 2024:
Greetings!
On behalf of your ARCSE Board and Advisors, I wish you a very Happy New Year! We hope in 2023 that you and your families have been blessed with good health, happiness, and great friendships, and that 2024 continues with many blessings.
ARCSE is grateful for the dedication of its members and would like to thank you for all that you do for our organization. In 2024, ARCSE will continue to work on implementing our Plan of Work, Strategic Plan, and our MOU with NRCS. Through the MOU, both NRCS and ARCSE will continue to explore ways to mentor NRCS employees. This process may take time to develop. You are right, taking on these various workload items is something that is new for ARCSE. The timing is perfect as our organization is turning 50 in 2024.
In my spare time I am serving as House Mother for the Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR)Fraternity in River Falls, Wisconsin. This is a perfect way for me to give back in retirement. Over the years I have met many SCS/NRCS employees who were AGRs. If your travels bring you to Wisconsin, please stop by to visit.
Save the date for the 79th SWCS International Annual Conference, July 21–24, 2024 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina! This year’s conference theme is “Rising Together: Collaborative Conservation for All.” Call for presentation submissions and more details regarding the event will be posted in the coming months at www.swcs.org/24AC. More information will be forthcoming in an upcoming issue of the ARCSE Newsletter regarding details for our Annual ARCSE meeting. Please visit our website to learn more about ARCSE: https://arcse.org.
ARCSE State Representatives
For those of you who are currently ARCSE State Representatives or who may be considering becoming one, Deb Legear in Wisconsin has articulated her activities as an ARCSE representative. Please see her excellent article under the Wisconsin section of the January 2024 Newsletter.
___________________________________________________________________________
November, 2023:
The past few months have flown by since I took over as the ARCSE President. I have enjoyed this opportunity and look forward to serving as President over the next wo years. During this past year, our organization has taken on some new activities and projects, such as developing the first-ever ARCSE Strategic Plan and an Annual Plan of Work. If you haven’t already done so, please take some time to review these documents at https://arcse.org/our-organization/. This information will provide you with a better understanding of the direction ARCSE will be taking now and in the future. Thank you in advance for your support!
Our Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NRCS has been in place since our August 7th meeting in Des Moines, Iowa. Through this MOU, both NRCS and ARCSE will explore ways to Mentor NRCS employees. This is a great opportunity for ARCSE members to re-engage with new employees. I hope that you consider mentoring an NRCS employee. What a perfect way to give back in retirement while making a difference in someone’s career!
In early October I worked closely with Tyrone Larson, Wisconsin State Conservationist, regarding a mentoring program that is being launched in Wisconsin. Tyrone felt this would be a good fit for NRCS retirees in Wisconsin, and he hoped that ARCSE might see value in this program. Unfortunately, he passed away unexpectedly on October 8th. Looking back on the discussions I had with Tyrone regarding mentoring, many things come to mind. ARCSE has retirees with a wealth of knowledge, experience, and a deep understanding of the agency. Mentoring new employees is a perfect way to share our career journey with someone just starting out. I know personally I am looking forward to serving as a mentor.
As you know, ARCSE offers many kinds of fun gatherings throughout the U.S. We enjoyed our agency while working, and we still treasure each other! From individual contacts and visits to events and meals as a group, we have many avenues to stay connected.
This ARCSE bimonthly newsletter (https://arcse.org/newsletters/) also serves as a means to keep you up-to-date on what’s happening in Washington, DC, and in every state. We also alert you to any legislation and programs that affect Federal retirees. An annual luncheon is held each summer and is a highlight event. It is held in conjunction with the SWCS Annual Conference.
ARCSE Member Dues for 2024 Must be Paid by January 1st. See page 8.
With 2023 drawing to a close, you may know of NRCS employees retiring. Please let them know about ARCSE. Together we will make a difference. More information is at ARCSE.org, including sign-up information.
Thank you! – Julie MacSwain with granddaughters
___________________________________________________________________________
September, 2023:
Greetings! It is with much excitement and anticipation that I begin as your President of ARCSE. Time has flown by since I retired from NRCS with 36 years of service to the agency. Now it’s my time to give back to others. I look forward to serving you!
Thank you to Arnold King for his leadership as President and Cheryl Simmons for her leadership as Past President. Please join me in welcoming Mary Podoll to the role of President-Elect. We have an outstanding leadership team who continue to help keep ARSCE moving forward.
The ARCSE Board met on August 7th, prior to the annual ARCSE meeting. We approved our budget, which will include increases in our membership fees. The Board concurred with the new dues structure.
These fees will increase on January 1st, 2024. The dues will be as follow:
– Annual dues: increase from $18 to $25
– Annual hard copy newsletter fee: increase from $12 to $15
– Life membership dues:
• Age 75 or older: from $125 to $175
• Age 65 through 74: from $200 to $275
• Age 64 or younger: from $250 to $325
Our Strategic Plan and for ARCSE were finalized and approved at our August 7th board meeting in Des Moines. The Strategic plan charts the course for the direction ARCSE will be taking between 2023–2028. A special thank you to the ARCSE Team that worked on the plan, which included Mary Podoll, Cheryl Simmons, Craig Derickson, Becky Fletcher, and Julie MacSwain. Please review the Strategic Plan and Plan of work documents which are posted on our arcse.org website at this link. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
The 49th annual meeting of ARCSE took place in Des Moines, Iowa on August 7th. This year’s event drew several NRCS retirees and NRCS employees. A special thank you to Mark Jensen, Iowa NRCS retiree and ARCSE Representative, for his role in local arrangements, and to Jack Carlson and Cheryl Simmons who served on the ARCSE committee for planning the event. Please read Mark Jensen’s report of our annual meeting.
A joint Memo of Understanding (MOU) from NRCS Chief Terry Cosby and ARCSE President Julie MacSwain was sent to all employees of NRCS on August 8th. Jerry Bernard, Editor for ARCSE, sent emails to members along with a copy of the signed MOU and our ARCSE directory. Retired conservation employees hold a wealth of institutional knowledge and experience, and members of ARCSE are eager to continue contributing to NRCS’s mission in wisdom of ARCSE’s members and speed up the process of distribution of the Inflation Reduction Act workload across all employees. Please stay tuned for additional details and information about the mentorship program that will be announced in your states in the coming months. A full copy of the MOU is available on our ARCSE website at this link.
ARCSE is doing what we can to reach out to our members. If you have access to Facebook, please follow us on Association of Retired Conservation Service Employees. And, we have a presence on Flickr. Search for ARCSE Communications. And don’t forget to check our ARCSE website. David Buhland has been working hard to keep this up-to-date for our membership. In closing, I challenge each ARSCE member to give a membership application to those who are newly retired. Let’s push to increase our membership prior to the end of the year before the new membership rates go into effect. Membership has so many benefits, including networking, connectivity, mentorship, life-long learning, socialization, and giving back, to name a few. We also need all of you to continue to provide news from your states for the newsletter. Staying connected and involved in retirement is important for well-being. Cheers to working with you down the road.
___________________________________________________________________________
Below is the Email sent from Chief Terry Cosby to all NRCS Employees about the NRCS ARCSE MOU.
Team NRCS: By now, many of you have had the chance to invite people in your network to apply to one of NRCS’ recent job postings, and some of you may even have welcomed new members to your teams. Your efforts with recruiting and onboarding are deeply appreciated, and they will help NRCS reach the capacity that we need to serve more customers than ever before through Inflation Reduction Act funding.
Of course, recruiting and hiring new staff is only the beginning of our effort to build up the next generation of NRCS conservation champions. Staff in the NRCS Management and Strategy Deputy Area have been working to build a robust training plan to ensure that new employees can get up to speed as quickly as possible.
As part of that effort, we are proud to announce a partnership that will open mentorship opportunities to new employees through a Memorandum of Understanding between NRCS and the Association of Retired Conservation Service Employees (ARCSE).
Retired conservation service employees hold a wealth of institutional knowledge and experience, and members of ARCSE are eager to continue contributing to NRCS’ mission in their retirements. This partnership ensures that NRCS’ newest hires can benefit from the wisdom of ARCSE’s members, and will speed up the process of distributing the Inflation Reduction Act workload across all employees.
Additional details and information about the mentorship program will be announced in your states in the coming months. We look forward to working together to train the next generation of climate-smart conservation champions.
Terry J. Cosby Julie MacSwain
Chief, NRCS President, ARCSE
ARCSE 