Every year, Austin Youth River Watch transforms the lives of 120 high-school students through
holistic, youth-development activities that focus on academic success and environmental
stewardship, making a positive impact on Austin’s environment and community.
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros7 October 2013
River Watch home page, April 2010
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros7 October 2013
River Watch home page, September 2013
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros7 October 2013
Then• 3 Board members• 2.5 full-time staff• FY09-10 revenues: $209,000• Damaged roof & pump house• Fines from IRS: More than $30,000• No e-mail list management
Now• 9 Board members• 3.5 full-time staff• FY12-13 revenues: $322,000• Fixed roof & pump house• Fines from IRS: $0• Nearly 1,000 subscribers to e-mails
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros7 October 2013
Financial Management• Improved financial tracking• Annual financial audit• Active Treasurer & Finance Committee • Financial training for Board members• Improved checks & balances
Board of Directors• Better diversity of skills & experience• Board Agreements, terms, term limits• Created Strategic Plan for growth• Strong culture of engagement
Marketing & Communications• Relentless networking• Rebranding: new logo, brochures, signs• New website with dynamic content• Active online presence• Exposure politically & in news media
Human Resources• Full-time Executive Director • Part-time Programs & Ops Assistant• Stronger professional development• Zero turnover
Programs• Maintained/strengthened quality
through major transitions• Annual canoe-camping adventure• Improved program evaluation a bit• Celebrated 20th Anniversary• Received KAB award for excellence
Fundraising• Success in attracting donations• “Best practices” donor engagement• Active Fundraising Committee• Launching Benevon model
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros7 October 2013
Fiscal Year
Revenue($1,000’s)
09-10 10-11 11-12 12-13 13-140
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
Corporations
Individuals
Grants
City contract
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros7 October 2013
Fiscal Year
Revenue($1,000’s)
09-10 10-11 11-12 12-13 13-140
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
Corporations
Individuals
Grants
City contract
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros7 October 2013
Fiscal Year
Revenue($1,000’s)
09-10 10-11 11-12 12-13 13-140
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
Corporations
Individuals
Grants
City contract
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros7 October 2013
Fiscal Year
Revenue($1,000’s)
09-10 10-11 11-12 12-13 13-140
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
Corporations
Individuals
Grants
City contract
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros7 October 2013
Strategic Plan, 2012-2015
Goal #1: Double the number of students in River Watch's core program.We will double the size of our core programs, growing from the current service level of 120 students per year to 250 students per year. These new students will come from both our current schools and other high schools in the Austin area.
Goal #2: Engage our River Watchers in new, high-impact community projects.We will work with partners to identify and execute new, high-impact community projects. These service projects will be mission-oriented, substantive, and results-driven. Examples include stream-bank restoration, vegetation management, and creekside trail building.
Goal #3: Expand River Watch's operational and fundraising capacity.We will expand our Board to 15 members, add 3 additional program staff, and create at least 1 new position for administrative and fundraising support. We will also explore strategic partnerships with similar organizations to aid in our growth.
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros7 October 2013
Strategies Tactics Goals by 2015
Grow Board to 15 members to support expansion
Network & advertise to find potential candidates
11 Board members addedInterview & cultivate candidates per formalized procedures
Offer training & professional development to all Board members
Increase operational capacity
Develop & post job description, conduct interviews
1 administrative staff addedHire 1 part-time administrative staff then grow
to 1 full-time administrative staff
Increase community visibility
Maintain dynamic web & social-media content
Increases in website hits, news appearances, social-media
network growth, attendance at events
Engage diverse volunteers in programs, operations, & fundraising
Work with partners that can help us increase visibility
Network in environmental and education communities
Create periodic engagement & cultivation events
Apply for awards that generate visibility in community
Goal #3: Expand River Watch's operational and fundraising capacity.
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros7 October 2013
Strategies Tactics Goals by 2015
Grow Board to 15 members to support expansion
Network & advertise to find potential candidates
11 Board members addedInterview & cultivate candidates per formalized procedures
Offer training & professional development to all Board members
Increase operational capacity
Develop & post job description, conduct interviews
1 administrative staff addedHire 1 part-time administrative staff then grow
to 1 full-time administrative staff
Increase community visibility
Maintain dynamic web & social-media content
Increases in website hits, news appearances, social-media
network growth, attendance at events
Engage diverse volunteers in programs, operations, & fundraising
Work with partners that can help us increase visibility
Network in environmental and education communities
Create periodic engagement & cultivation events
Apply for awards that generate visibility in community
Goal #3: Expand River Watch's operational and fundraising capacity.
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros7 October 2013
Strategies Tactics Goals by 2015
Develop & execute new Special Projects
Develop criteria for new projects, including volunteer & partner engagement Number of projects
implemented, plus project-specific metrics
Plan, execute, & evaluate new projects
Add new, project-specific program staff
Develop & post job description, conduct interviews
1 program staff addedHire 1 full-time program staff
Offer ongoing professional development & training to all staff
Raise funds to support growth
Develop fundraising strategy, reflecting amounts needed to initiate & sustain projects
$80,000 additional annual revenues
Establish annual giving program for individuals from diverse networks
Secure foundation & corporate grant support
Work with fundraising partners to access additional resources
Goal #2: Engage our River Watchers in new, high-impact community projects.
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros7 October 2013
Strategies Tactics Goals by 2015
Develop & execute new Special Projects
Develop criteria for new projects, including volunteer & partner engagement Number of projects
implemented, plus project-specific metrics
Plan, execute, & evaluate new projects
Add new, project-specific program staff
Develop & post job description, conduct interviews
1 program staff addedHire 1 full-time program staff
Offer ongoing professional development & training to all staff
Raise funds to support growth
Develop fundraising strategy, reflecting amounts needed to initiate & sustain projects
$80,000 additional annual revenues
Establish annual giving program for individuals from diverse networks
Secure foundation & corporate grant support
Work with fundraising partners to access additional resources
Goal #2: Engage our River Watchers in new, high-impact community projects.
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros7 October 2013
This year’s goals:
Maintain excellence in: Financial management, Board development, human resources, marketing & communications, overall organizational administration.
Fundraising: Raise $114,000 to cover expenses (we raised $104,000 in 2013), and raise another $106,000 to launch the Service-Project Program in September 2014.• Conduct 20 Point of Entry events, leading up to an Ask Event in April.• Use Benevon model to achieve excellence in donor cultivation & engagement.• Continue to expand revenues from grants & corporate donations.
Programs: Continue to focus on quality in the core program, and get ready to launch Service-Project Program in September 2014.• Improve process for program evaluation.• Conduct at least 3 pilot service projects during the 2013-2014 school year.• Build relationships with program partners and volunteer groups.
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros7 October 2013
Applause!
Photo by John Ingram
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros7 October 2013