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About UsWhat is the Southwest Idaho RC & D Council How the council operates financially Role of the Council in Southwest Idaho Who is involved with the Council
What is the Southwest Idaho RC&D Council?The Council is charged with helping people protect and develop economic, natural, and social resources in ways that improve their area's economy, environment, and quality of life. Council actions provide a way for people to plan and implement projects that will make their communities better places to live. The Council works with partners to bring together people, needs, concerns, opportunities and solutions. The Southwest Idaho RC&D Council Inc. is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization within the State of Idaho and is considered a 501(c)(3) entity by the Internal Revenue Service. This standing makes the council eligible to secure grant funds from private foundations and others, to receive private individual donations, and to become holders of property, etc., as allowed by its by-laws. The Council was formed in 1995 under the authority of the Agriculture Act of 1962, which provided for the RC&D program. The goal of the RC&D program is to help empower rural people to provide local direction and control to area resource conservation and resource development efforts. Projects adopted by the Council to provide assistance are identified in the current 5-year Area Plan as strategies to address defined goals and objectives and are a part of the RC&D’s Annual Plan. The Southwest Idaho RC&D Council administrative area covers Ada, Canyon, Elmore and Owyhee Counties in Idaho and the Duck Valley Indian Reservation in Idaho and Nevada. However the boundaries of the projects the Council becomes involved with are determined by the extent of the resource concern or opportunity, not by the administrative boundary of the Council. Back To Top How the Council Operates FinanciallyThe Council’s operating funds come from sponsor dues. Project-specific funding comes from project grants and project activity registration fees. The Council is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation and as such has tax-exempt and tax-deductible status for funds rose. The government's rationale for granting this status is that if a group's purpose is sufficiently in the public interest, it makes no sense to tax it. Because the group's activities lessen the load on the government the group should be allowed to apply any surplus it generates to more good works, not taxes. The USDA-NRCS provides for a full-time coordinator and half-time program assistant to help the Council identify problems, establish goals and objectives, build strategies and implement plans. The NRCS also provides office space, some equipment, supplies, and a government vehicle for the staff. The Council manages all of its financial matters according to generally accepted accounting principles. Back To Top Role of the Council in Southwest IdahoThe role of the Southwest Idaho RC&D Council Inc. is to maintain an ongoing understanding of the needs of its partners and the resources available. The Council can effectively use its institutional strengths to help partners access the resources they need to meet their resource conservation and development goals. Southwest Idaho RC&D’s institutional strength is based on a diverse, volunteer, grassroots Council. The Council’s relationships with its partners, its knowledge of available funding sources, and NRCS funding support for a coordinator and a half-time program assistant provide leadership to area sponsors in implementing projects. The Council’s tax exempt status also helps get projects done. Some of the Council's roles have evolved based on the expressed needs of its partners. These roles include: Some of the Council’s roles and efficiencies that are based on abilities inherent to its 501 (c) (3) status include: The Council's degree of involvement is dependent on the circumstances of the opportunity. It is often appropriate for the Council to serve in a supporting role. As an example, partners developing a workshop may have sufficient organizational abilities. The Council’s contribution to the project maybe limited to acting as the fiscal agent and assisting with the mailing. When necessary the Council will take more of a leadership role of grant writing, grant administration, hiring of the staff and planning of educational outreach activities. The Council is always there to assist sponsors and not to assume total responsibility for completing their projects. Back To Top Who is Involved with the Council?RC&D Council representatives are volunteers who want a better life for themselves, their children, and future generations. Local County Boards of Commissioners, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Indian Tribal governments, local non-profit organizations and cities sponsor the Southwest Idaho RC&D Council in each county. Sponsors can also include civic organizations, regional planning bodies, and others. Sponsors are active in the RC&D and appoint qualified representatives to serve on the Council to represent their interests. Sponsors provide input to the Council's actions through their representatives. Interested community members are also invited to participate as at-large Council members. Potential sponsors include the Shoshone/Paiute Tribes; all county commissions; incorporated cities and towns; Soil and Water Conservation Districts; and non-profit organizations. Current sponsoring entities include but are not limited to the following:
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