If you resolved to be healthier in 2019, you’re not alone. NCAP staff and board recently devoted time to strategic planning for a healthy future, and we are ready to hit the ground running!

You may recall that NCAP’s long-time executive director, Kim Leval, departed at the end of 2017. In 2018, staff and board embarked on an internal exploration and assessment of administration and management needs. We utilized assistance from skilled consultants and funding from a generous supporter and Meyer Memorial Trust. Through this work, NCAP implemented a shared leadership model with newly developed management roles and responsibilities for all staff members. As a team we are working more closely than ever to advance alternatives and foster a healthy organization.

A recent survey and evaluation of shared leadership by TCC Group, a national management-consulting firm, found that 78 percent of study participants had increased their awareness, knowledge and ability to develop staff as leaders at all levels of the organization. NCAP has been working on self-organization and assigning roles based on a strong culture of trust. The structure allows for expanding the problem-solving capacity of our organization without giving up the option of top-down approaches when necessary. Read more from Nonprofit Quarterly.

NCAP’s 2019 goals:

Through community organizing, education, technical assistance and policy advocacy, we will continue to protect Northwest ecosystems from the harmful effects of pesticides by:

• Passing and enforcing local policies that will serve as models for advancing alternatives to pesticides in NCAP’s region and beyond;
• Engaging and empowering vulnerable communities that are disproportionately harmed by the dual impacts of pesticide exposure/harm and climate change to demand protections and develop long term solutions;
• Building a healthy regional food production system that promotes technical and policy alternatives to pesticides, organic farming methods, on-farm conservation, protection of pollinators and helps to mitigate/reverse the impacts of climate change;
• Better protecting fish, wildlife and drinking water from pesticide contamination;
• Creating a diverse, strong base of supporters who understand the value of promoting alternatives to pesticides.

Additionally, to help guide our efforts, we have crafted our vision of a healthy future.

NCAP’s vision for a vibrant and healthy Northwest ecosystem:

• Clean air and water, abundant fish and wildlife and living soils surround us due in large part to widespread adoption of healthy alternatives to pesticides. Our farms yield abundant, nourishing food produced organically with fairly-compensated labor and ecologically sound methods.
• People in our region thrive, living in balance with this healthy ecosystem that sustains all life. We practice alternative solutions and the health and wellness of everyone (regardless of age, location, income, gender, race or ethnicity) have improved as a result.
• Residents, farmers, businesses, agencies, and institutions use their knowledge, resources, power and desire to manage pest problems without pesticides.
• Consumers prefer organic and sustainably produced food and landscapes that are maintained with ecologically sound methods. Such products and services are widespread and affordable.
• Those who were most harmed by pesticide use are respected, well-informed advocates whose voices shape policy and practice related to pesticide use.

The NCAP staff and board are dedicated to these goals, but we can’t do it without you!

Our sincere thanks to those who have donated their financial resources and/or time to these efforts. Please resolve in 2019 to take an active role in protecting our precious ecosystem by donating, attending an NCAP event, volunteering, eliminating pesticides from your personal environment, and by advocating for alternatives with your neighbors and policy makers. Together, we are making a difference!