Bioregional Advisory Council (BAC)
... addressing longterm needs in the region

Bioregional Advisory Council members are our presence in communities throughout Appalachia.
They serve as our eyes and ears, informing rural residents about the services we can provide and letting us know about information and services needed at the local level. Council members are selected to represent the region geographically and contribute a diverse mix of perspectives in regards to community forestry.

A team of technical advisors, who provide specific expertise and represent different segments of the forestry and rural development communities, augments the council.

The Advisory Council provides guidance for the Center in four areas:

1. Prioritize research targets and products for the Center on an annual basis
2. Select communities to partner with in supporting participatory citizen-driven research and development
3. Create an internal evaluation plan for the Center
4. Provide feedback and guidance to Center staff in other areas of program development such as annual work plans and communications.

Membership in the council will provide an opportunity to network with others across the Appalachian Forest region, learn about issues affecting Appalachian forest communities, become familiar with a range of resources available to assist communities in addressing local and regional issues, and direct those resources to where they will do the most good. Council members will also have a chance to learn about issues affecting forest communities in the Northeast, Southwest, and Pacific Northwest areas of the United States through information exchange with the Center's other branches. Two members of the council will have the opportunity to serve on the National Advisory Committee for the National Community Forestry Center.

We are seeking members to serve one to four year terms on the advisory council. Our goal is to maintain a group that will provide representation from across the region and offer a diversity of perspectives. Council members will receive reimbursement for transportation and related expenses, and are eligible for a daily stipend when attending meetings, workshops, or other gatherings on behalf of the AFRC.

An Intro to AFRC: Download a PowerPoint slideshow
(PPT, 368K)

Don't have PowerPoint? Here is a PDF version:
An Intro to AFRC: Download Acrobat Reader slideshow
(PDF, 1 MB)

We are seeking members to serve on AFRC's citizen advisory council

QUALIFICATIONS FOR COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP:

Residence in the region served by the Appalachian Forest Resource Center, which includes:
southwestern forests of Pennsylvania
the state of West Virginia
western forest region of Virginia
southeast corner of Ohio
eastern portion of Kentucky
eastern portion of Tennessee
western North Carolina
upland South Carolina
north Georgia
northeast Alabama

Willingness to commit one to three years of your time; we estimate that participation will require 2-3 meetings per year with monthly or bi-monthly conference calls

Passion for forest-related issues and community well-being

Willingness to work and learn together as part of a diverse group

Willingness to communicate about the Center's initiatives in their state/region

We encourage you to nominate yourself or others whom you feel are qualified and willing to serve by downloading the form below:

Download BAC Nomination Form

PDF 31K

Adobe Acrobat Reader must be installed on your computer to open and print this file.

CONTACT

Dennis Hosack
Director of Conservation-Based Development
Rural Action, PO Box 157
Trimble OH 45782
Phone 740-767-4938
FAX 740-767-4957
Email: colind@appalachianforest.org

Chip Carroll NTFP Research, Education & Demonstration Coordinator
33560 Beech Grove Rd.
Rutland, OH  45775
Phone:  740-742-4401
Fax:     740-742-8303
Email: chipc@ruralaction.org

Cynthia Brunty Administrative Specialist
Email: cynthiab@ruralaction.org


Elise George Membership and Herb
Research VISTA
Email: elise@ruralaction.org