For the annual Board and staff retreat, the Board of Austin Youth River Watch requested this report on the organization's progress over the last three and a half years, along with an outline of priorities for the coming year. (Note: The version of the slideshow offered here was presented to Greg Meszaros, Director of the City's Austin Water Utility, on October 7th. It contains updated financials.)

1. Every year, Austin Youth River Watch transforms the
lives of 120 high-school students through holistic, youthdevelopment activities that focus on academic success
and environmental stewardship, making a positive
impact on Austin’s environment and community.
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros
7 October 2013

2. River Watch home page, April 2010
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros
7 October 2013

3. River Watch home page, September 2013
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros
7 October 2013

4. Then
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3 Board members
2.5 full-time staff
FY09-10 revenues: $209,000
Damaged roof & pump house
Fines from IRS: More than $30,000
No e-mail list management
Now
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9 Board members
3.5 full-time staff
FY12-13 revenues: $322,000
Fixed roof & pump house
Fines from IRS: $0
Nearly 1,000 subscribers to e-mails
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros
7 October 2013

5. Financial Management
Human Resources
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Improved financial tracking
Annual financial audit
Active Treasurer & Finance Committee
Financial training for Board members
Improved checks & balances
Programs
Board of Directors
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• Maintained/strengthened quality
through major transitions
• Annual canoe-camping adventure
• Improved program evaluation a bit
• Celebrated 20th Anniversary
• Received KAB award for excellence
Better diversity of skills & experience
Board Agreements, terms, term limits
Created Strategic Plan for growth
Strong culture of engagement
Marketing & Communications
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Full-time Executive Director
Part-time Programs & Ops Assistant
Stronger professional development
Zero turnover
Relentless networking
Rebranding: new logo, brochures, signs
New website with dynamic content
Active online presence
Exposure politically & in news media
Fundraising
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Success in attracting donations
“Best practices” donor engagement
Active Fundraising Committee
Launching Benevon model
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros
7 October 2013

6. 500
450
400
350
Corporations
300
Revenue
($1,000’s)
Individuals
250
Grants
200
City contract
150
100
50
0
09-10
10-11
11-12
12-13
13-14
Fiscal Year
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros
7 October 2013

7. 500
450
400
350
Corporations
300
Revenue
($1,000’s)
Individuals
250
Grants
200
City contract
150
100
50
0
09-10
10-11
11-12
12-13
13-14
Fiscal Year
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros
7 October 2013

8. 500
450
400
350
Corporations
300
Revenue
($1,000’s)
Individuals
250
Grants
200
City contract
150
100
50
0
09-10
10-11
11-12
12-13
13-14
Fiscal Year
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros
7 October 2013

9. 500
450
400
350
Corporations
300
Revenue
($1,000’s)
Individuals
250
Grants
200
City contract
150
100
50
0
09-10
10-11
11-12
12-13
13-14
Fiscal Year
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros
7 October 2013

10. Strategic Plan, 2012-2015
Goal #1: Double the number of students in River Watch's core program.
We will double the size of our core programs, growing from the current service level
of 120 students per year to 250 students per year. These new students will come
from both our current schools and other high schools in the Austin area.
Goal #2: Engage our River Watchers in new, high-impact community projects.
We will work with partners to identify and execute new, high-impact community
projects. These service projects will be mission-oriented, substantive, and resultsdriven. Examples include stream-bank restoration, vegetation management, and
creekside trail building.
Goal #3: Expand River Watch's operational and fundraising capacity.
We will expand our Board to 15 members, add 3 additional program staff, and
create at least 1 new position for administrative and fundraising support. We will
also explore strategic partnerships with similar organizations to aid in our growth.
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros
7 October 2013

11. Goal #3: Expand River Watch's operational and fundraising capacity.
Strategies
Tactics
Network & advertise to find potential
candidates
Grow Board to 15 members Interview & cultivate candidates per formalized
to support expansion
procedures
Offer training & professional development to
all Board members
Develop & post job description, conduct
interviews
Increase operational
capacity
Hire 1 part-time administrative staff then grow
to 1 full-time administrative staff
Goals by 2015
11 Board members added
1 administrative staff added
Maintain dynamic web & social-media content
Increase community
visibility
Engage diverse volunteers in programs,
operations, & fundraising
Work with partners that can help us increase
visibility
Network in environmental and education
communities
Create periodic engagement & cultivation
events
Apply for awards that generate visibility in
community
Increases in website hits, news
appearances, social-media
network growth, attendance at
events
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros
7 October 2013

12. Goal #3: Expand River Watch's operational and fundraising capacity.
Strategies
Tactics
Network & advertise to find potential
candidates
Grow Board to 15 members Interview & cultivate candidates per formalized
to support expansion
procedures
Offer training & professional development to
all Board members
Develop & post job description, conduct
interviews
Increase operational
capacity
Hire 1 part-time administrative staff then grow
to 1 full-time administrative staff
Goals by 2015
11 Board members added
1 administrative staff added
Maintain dynamic web & social-media content
Increase community
visibility
Engage diverse volunteers in programs,
operations, & fundraising
Work with partners that can help us increase
visibility
Network in environmental and education
communities
Create periodic engagement & cultivation
events
Apply for awards that generate visibility in
community
Increases in website hits, news
appearances, social-media
network growth, attendance at
events
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros
7 October 2013

13. Goal #2: Engage our River Watchers in new, high-impact community projects.
Strategies
Develop & execute new Special
Projects
Tactics
Develop criteria for new projects, including
volunteer & partner engagement
Plan, execute, & evaluate new projects
Goals by 2015
Number of projects
implemented, plus projectspecific metrics
Develop & post job description, conduct
interviews
Add new, project-specific
program staff
Hire 1 full-time program staff
1 program staff added
Offer ongoing professional development &
training to all staff
Develop fundraising strategy, reflecting
amounts needed to initiate & sustain projects
Raise funds to support growth
Establish annual giving program for individuals
from diverse networks
$80,000 additional annual
revenues
Secure foundation & corporate grant support
Work with fundraising partners to access
additional resources
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros
7 October 2013

14. Goal #2: Engage our River Watchers in new, high-impact community projects.
Strategies
Develop & execute new Special
Projects
Tactics
Develop criteria for new projects, including
volunteer & partner engagement
Plan, execute, & evaluate new projects
Goals by 2015
Number of projects
implemented, plus projectspecific metrics
Develop & post job description, conduct
interviews
Add new, project-specific
program staff
Hire 1 full-time program staff
1 program staff added
Offer ongoing professional development &
training to all staff
Develop fundraising strategy, reflecting
amounts needed to initiate & sustain projects
Raise funds to support growth
Establish annual giving program for individuals
from diverse networks
$80,000 additional annual
revenues
Secure foundation & corporate grant support
Work with fundraising partners to access
additional resources
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros
7 October 2013

15. This year’s goals:
Maintain excellence in: Financial management, Board development, human
resources, marketing & communications, overall organizational administration.
Fundraising: Raise $114,000 to cover expenses (we raised $104,000 in 2013), and
raise another $106,000 to launch the Service-Project Program in September 2014.
• Conduct 20 Point of Entry events, leading up to an Ask Event in April.
• Use Benevon model to achieve excellence in donor cultivation & engagement.
• Continue to expand revenues from grants & corporate donations.
Programs: Continue to focus on quality in the core program, and get ready to
launch Service-Project Program in September 2014.
• Improve process for program evaluation.
• Conduct at least 3 pilot service projects during the 2013-2014 school year.
• Build relationships with program partners and volunteer groups.
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros
7 October 2013

16. Applause!
Photo by John Ingram
Executive Director’s Report to Greg Meszaros
7 October 2013