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Membership
As an SDA member, your district will benefit from a broad range of programs and services including:
- Active Monitoring And Lobbying Of Legislation That Will Impact Special Districts
Since special districts exist by enabling legislation, they can be severely impacted by legislative actions. The SDA Executive Director and the Legislative Committee monitor legislation, and lobby extensively on behalf of all special districts. While non-SDA members receive the benefit of SDA's efforts, they are not able to participate in policy formation and the development of positions and strategy.
- Educational Seminars, Workshops And Meetings On Timely Subjects
Many of these seminars and workshops are in your geographical area and are designed to be convenient to your schedule.
- SDA Annual Conference
This event provides numerous workshop sessions on subjects vital to special district governance and management, as well as inspiration, humor, entertainment and relaxation. Over 1,100 representatives of member districts and associate members attend to take advantage of the networking educational opportunities, which this annual event provides.
- Newsletter, Legislative Bulletins And Other Publications And Bulletins
Each Member District receives a copy of the Laws Notebook, which is an annually updated collection of the statutes governing special districts, complete with a simple and useful index. The Special District Board Members Manual is a key resource for every Board Member of any special district, and the SDA Model Personnel Manual provides invaluable guidance in employment matters and employee relationships. Other notebooks and manuals are provided as necessary.
- Technical Assistance
The SDA staff is knowledgeable in many areas of importance to special district directors and staffs. Assistance is available by telephone, special reports, handbooks, manuals, surveys, and through contacts with a variety of experts who are Associate Members, including attorneys, accountants and investment advisors, engineers, management and other consultants. SDA and its Associate Members provide one of the most knowledgeable and professional sources of information on the operation and development of the TABOR Amendment and other tax, finance and investment issues.
- Access To Member Service Companies Offering Discounted Pricing And Specialized Services To SDA Members
- Membership Highlights
Thanks to the existence of special districts, many Coloradoans enjoy the economic benefit of the cost of efficient delivery of services necessary to maintain a high standard for quality living. SDA is committed to providing services and benefits to those who serve to enable them to continue to serve in a way that contributes to their communities. SDA's workshops and annual conference offer access to experts and allow one-on-one questions and answer periods to stimulate conversations that special district representatives can benefit from. Many of our members plan their schedules well in advance so they can attend the workshops and conference. They know the topics will be helpful as they deal with the everyday problems of growth, transportation and services. New District Board Members as well as those who have been in office know the value of networking and learning from those who have been there. We realize SDA members are exposed to legislative issues both locally and statewide that will impact their budgets. SDA's newsletter is geared to keep our members informed with helpful articles that are well thought out and timely to key issues. The newsletter is published by the SDA staff with guest articles on:
- Legislation affecting Special Districts
- TABOR and the 5.5% issue
- Employment law
- Personnel and hiring topics
- CPI and national information
- Laws Notebook (a direct line from the members to our experts with helpful questions and answers)
- Surveys & Community Relations
- Survey Information
Since 1987, SDA has conducted surveys for Water and Sanitation and Fire Districts to obtain updated information regarding district operations, services, rates and employee salary/benefits, to assist in district budget planning and development. Now, for the first time, a survey has been specially designed for Park and Recreation Districts, including questions relating to park and recreation district operations, and a section for salary and benefit data. The results of these annual surveys are distributed to participating Member Districts.
- Community Relations
The Special District Association has long held the philosophy that if the public is going to trust its various elements of government, then it must know and understand the various elements of government. Over the years, SDA has not only worked to foster a strong and positive image for special districts statewide, the Association has also provided resources and encouragement for special districts to bolster their own images and to react favorably with local media and the general public. SDA has provided community relations videos, media guidelines, press releases, and a number of other tools for districts to use in their communities. The Association has conducted an annual "Outreach Award Program" to encourage districts to implement their own community relations programs. SDA has taught and encouraged districts to do more with newsletters, media relations, election campaigns, and many other means of interacting with voters, taxpayers and the general public.
- SDA Celebrates Community Outreach
SDA has long engaged in efforts to get special districts to engage in regular and effective "outreach" programs, to maintain an educated voting population and a high level of understanding and trust with the public. SDA has published a Press Guide; has held seminars and workshop sessions on press and media relations; has presented courses on development and publication of newsletters, and for several years retained public relations professionals to be on call to work with special districts when public outreach needs or questions arose.
To put it another way, in the words of a colorful former Colorado legislator "He who tooteth not his own horn will soon find his horn untooted."
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