OACDE Offering Two-Day Training Session for District Employees

The Oklahoma Association of Conservation District Employees (OACDE)  will hold a two-day training session and workshop March 27-28, 2012. The session, to be held at the Biltmore Hotel in Oklahoma City, is open to all employees of the state’s 87 local conservation districts. This is the first training session to be offered by OACDE.

Employees new to conservation districts are especially encouraged to attend, as well as employees from districts struggling with issues like reduced staff or funding, or changes to conditions of employment. In addition to addressing those issues, additional topics will include office procedures, communicating and building relationships with legislators, making your district more visible in the community, and cross-training for other jobs at your district in case of needs that might arise.

“For example, a district manager needs to know how to do payroll in case the district is without a secretary,” said Trish Kloeckler, OACDE vice president. “Or a secretary might need to know how to rent out equipment or sell seed if need arises,” she said.

There is no charge to participants for registration for the training session, one night’s lodging, one breakfast and two lunches, or for the supplies, materials and samples provided. The only cost to the participants is mileage and one evening meal.

“You really don’t want to miss this!” Kloeckler said.

The two-day training session is the result of a meeting of a special OACDE Training Committee. The committee met Dec. 4 for several hours brainstorming and planning the session. The committee members were Christina Richard, OACDE president; Trish Kloeckler, vice president; Coleta Bratten, treasurer; and Iris Imler, Area I director; Jick Grant, Area III director; Fredia Rice, Area IV director; Rhnea Stoy, contest coordinator; and Susan Henning, Kay County Conservation District manager.