Internship Program
Special Districts Association of Oregon members that are enrolled in SDIS's General Liability Program are eligible to apply for an internship program matching grant to help fund a summer intern for a project that their district has not implemented because of limited resources. This matching grant program is designed to fund an identifiable project that would benefit both the district and the intern. Districts will be required to hire a sophomore or junior college level intern to qualify for funding. The maximum matching grant per district is $2,000. SDAO may not fund all grant requests.
To be considered the application form must be completed in full and submitted to SDAO no later than 5:00 p.m., Monday, May 12, 2008. Submit completed application to SDAO, PO Box 12613, Salem, Oregon 97309 or fax to (503) 371-4781.
For more information including what types of projects districts have identified that they would like to see funded and who decides if your grant request is accepted or denied click here to open the Internship Program brochure and application.
| Application/Brochure | Currently unavailable
Safety and Security Matching Grant
Special Districts Association of Oregon (SDAO) members are eligible to apply for the Safety and Security Matching Grant to help fund safety and security related projects for their districts. This matching grant program is designed to fund new safety and security projects. The maximum matching grant per district is $3,000. SDAO may not fund all grant requests.
Districts awarded SDAO's Safety and Security Matching Grant will be required to sign an agreement before funds are disbursed. By signing this agreement the district acknowledges they will use the grant funds exclusively for the approved project and will provide receipts and photos of the completed project to SDAO in a timely manner.
What does "matching grant" mean?
This means the cost of the project will be split equally between your district and SDAO, up to a maximum of $3,000.
What do you mean by "a maximum of $3,000"?
If your district is planning a $6,000 project, you can apply to receive a maximum matching grant of $3,000 from SDAO. For a $3,000 project, you can apply to receive up to $1,500 from SDAO.
Who decides if our grant request is accepted or denied?
The SDAO Safety Grant Committee will review each application to determine which applications are eligible to receive funding.
What projects will qualify for the matching grant?
Your district may apply for any new safety or security project you choose. Examples include video surveillance equipment, security systems, enhanced parking lot lighting, and safe shop equipment. Routine maintenance to existing facilities and normal business expenses will not be considered.
When is the application deadline?
Applications must be received by SDAO no later than 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 14, 2008. Applications received after 5:00 p.m. January 14 will not be considered. Submit applications to PO Box 12613, Salem, Oregon 97309, or fax to 503.371.4781.
Grant Program for Strategic Planning Services and Cooperative Services Feasibility Study (Fire Grant)
Special Districts Association of Oregon (SDAO) and Emergency Services Consulting inc. (ESCi) announce a new partnership designed to assist small fire districts with strategic planning and feasibility of regional service delivery studies (mergers/consolidations).
Emergency services have entered into a very competitive evolutionary cycle. Public demands increase while dollars and other resources shrink. This trend places even more pressure on today’s managers, public policy officials, and organization members to come up with ways to become more efficient. The Customer Centered Strategic Planning (CCSP) process helps you guide your organization’s future to meet the community’s needs. The CCSP program has proven very effective in all types of organizations, providing a model for the present as well as the future. This process adapts well to changing and unpredictable environments.
The CCSP process assures community as well as organizational participation. The process concentrates on community needs, and is driven by the central theme of “What is in the best interest of the citizens served?” Unlike traditional planning processes, CCSP is designed to focus on internal and external customers, evaluate needs, and identify issues from the citizen up rather than from the mission statement down.
CCSP encourages participants to develop the skills that will enable them to continue the strategic planning process in succeeding years. It identifies market niches, matches resources with needs, and helps service providers con centrate effort, while reducing risk and wasted resources.
The CCSP program has proven very effective in all types of organizations, providing a model for the present as well as the future. This process adapts well to a changing and unpredictable environment.
The Customer Centered Strategic Plan process includes the following components:
- Developing a Mission Statement
- Describing Vision(s) of the Future
- Identifying Membership Values
- Identifying Critical Organizational Issues
- Identifying Organizational Strengths
- Developing Goals and Objectives
- Identifying Critical Customer Needs
- Identifying Areas of Needed Enhancement
- Identifying Functions/Services
- Identifying Tools to Meet Needs
- Developing Implementation Strategies
The Customer Centered Strategic Plan process has been adopted and used by:
- International Association of Fire Chiefs
- Western Fire Chiefs Association
- Fallen Firefighters Memorial Foundation
- National Volunteer Firefighters Association
- Washington Firefighters Association
- Oregon Fire Chiefs Association
- Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association
- Oregon Fire District Directors Association
In keeping with the goal of expanding services to our members, SDAO has fifteen (15) grants ranging from $500 to $750 each available to assist small fire districts with the cost of developing a Customer Centered Strategic Plan or conducting a cooperative services feasibility study. SDAO and ESCi have established a group discounted rate for these services.
Grant funds are available to fire districts enrolled in the SDIS property/liability program, and are available on a first come first serve basis. Fire districts undertaking a strategic plan will automatically be certified for a best practices insurance credit.
Strategic Planning Services
Operating budget of $200,000 or less:
$5,000 minus $750 grant = $4,250
Plus out-of-pocket expenses.
Operating budget over $200,000:
$6,800 minus $500 grant = $6,300
Plus out-of-pocket expenses.
Cooperative Services Feasibility Study
$750 grant, plus negotiated fee based on the number of organizations requesting the service.
Application Process
Districts interested in contracting with Emergency Services Consulting inc. for strategic planning services should contact:
George Dunkel
SDAO Fire Service Consultant
(503) 366-8013
Email: dunkelg@colcenter.org
Luanne Richey
SDAO Information and Resource Manager
(503) 371-8667, toll-free at (800) 285-5461
Email: lrichey@sdao.com
