By DCC Board President Robin Pinto
Earlier this year we shared with you our efforts in strategic planning, the renewed mission and vision statements, and the six guiding principles that now lead this organization. The primary benefit of such an exercise is the reflection and reevaluation of our organizational purpose and trajectory. Where are we today? Are we moving on the right path? How can we be more effective at meeting our goals? Those are not easy questions to provide thoughtful or comforting answers. Change is hard!
The simplest answer arising from this reflection is the need for growth – growth to be more effective within the organization as well as outwardly to better support our communities in which we play a valuable role. But how and where?
One important aspect of that growth was to improve our ability to conserve and monitor properties. We needed a boat and engine to carry stewards and volunteers out to monitor our coastal islands and otherwise difficult-to-access saltmarshes. Another aspect of growth meant more and better land management. We needed a newer, more reliable vehicle capable of towing and hauling heavy loads and equipment long distances into the field. Jackson and Steven have found and acquired a 2019 Toyota Tundra truck with cap that will carry and protect all DCC tools and machinery. Our “new” truck now proudly displays the DCC logo!
Even more importantly, growth meant increasing staff numbers to accomplish more and bigger jobs. We are now at five FTEs with benefits where two years ago we were at three without. However, each change incurs more challenge. During this summer, five staff and Zariah, DCC’s intern, were crammed into the dingy, one-room office in Machias’ historic Five-and-Dime store. That situation reinforced for us that DCC had to find a new, larger, and more efficient space. After much hunting, we have just closed on the purchase of DCC’s first home! The building is located on Route 1 at 7 VIP Drive. at the west end of Machias. This 2005 structure is well lit and of sufficient size to house all staff in comfort. It has more than adequate storage room for outreach materials, documents and records, and stewardship equipment in a dry, workable basement. Following cleaning and minor repairs, we hope to move into this new space at the end of the fall season.
These acquisitions and changes while coming in rapid succession have been missing and needed for a long time. DCC’s board is thrilled that we can now move this organization to become a more effective and successful resource for our communities and our mission of conservation. We are incredibly thankful for all of our supporters who have encouraged us to embrace this trajectory for growth.