I would like to start out by thanking all of the members and partners and friends for their support of the National Organization of Professional Black NRCS Employees (NOPBNRCSE).  With each year The Organization continues to grow, establish new partnerships, and to carry out its mission.  As President, it is my privilege to serve this distinguished organization, which was established in 1992 to enhance the awareness, knowledge, and understanding of NRCS as well as identify and address the concerns of employees, landowners/operators, and partners. I would like to thank Terry Cosby, the Immediate Past President, and the Executive Board members who served for the past two years and provided leadership to The Organization.  Additionally, Vivian Dickson dedicated countless hours to plan another exceptional Expo this past December and I look forward to showcasing her talents at the 2015 Outreach and Ag Expo this year December 4-6, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia.

February is Black History Month so we would like to dedicate this eLink to those who served before us in order to get The Organization to where we are today and those individuals who are our Founding Members.  Without your hard work, will, and dedication, we would not have the thriving organization we have today and for that I thank you. 

This year has gotten off to a fast start! Over the next two years The Organization will focus on four key areas: Professional Development, Outreach, Recruitment, and Partnerships.  Please look in the members section of the website to see more information about each specific focus area; however, some of the up and coming activities will be to:

1. Implement the NOPBNRCSE Mentoring Program.
2. Establish partnerships with additional Community Based Organizations who could benefit from the annual Expo.
3. Provide funding to Chapters who submit proposals for implementing activities to enhance chapter operations.
4. Continue to survey landowners to collect information about what items they would like assistance on for their operations.
5. Establish a partnership with Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences to assist with recruitment efforts for NRCS internships.
6. Increase awareness about The Organization to present, past, and potential members as well as the community.

The Organization will be showcased at the upcoming Minority Landowner Magazine Conference in Houston, Texas Feb 26-28^th and we look forward to continuing this partnership and serving as part of the Farm Turn Around Team.  I look forward to making myself available to the chapters and members if they have meetings and/or special events they would like The Organization to participate in.

In order for the NOPBNRCSE to be successful, it will take each and every one of us to volunteer our personal time to carry out its mission.  As President, I will have an open door policy so members, partners, and prospective members can contact me through the various communications tools we have available.  Again I look forward to serving each and every one of you over the next two years and I thank you for electing me as the 2015-2017 NOPBNRCSE President.

Drenda Williams
NOPBNRCSE President