TY - JOUR T1 - The SWCS view JF - Journal of Soil and Water Conservation SP - 82 LP - 82 VL - 46 IS - 2 AU - Richard Duesterhaus Y1 - 1991/03/01 UR - http://www.jswconline.org/content/46/2/82.abstract N2 - I am impressed by the activities in which I see our chapters involved. Chapter leaders can take credit for involving members in the many current programs being used to advance the interests of SWCS internationally. Individual chapters have embraced the strategic planning techniques to set a consistent and unified direction for their activities. Some have taken the lead from our international effort to take some strategic steps. Others have launched their own efforts somewhat independently. Some of the accomplishments of these strategic planning efforts include building consensus for common objectives and creating teams to go after specific goals. The major benefits, of course, accrue to our Society in terms of improved organizational performance. One group of chapter leaders spent part of their annual leadership development and training workshop learning conflict-management skills. So many natural resource debates involve bringing people together with very different interests and/or stakes in the outcome of a given public policy. This natural or built-in conflict among individuals or groups can be dealt with using conflict-resolution skills. And these chapter leaders used their training session to hone their skills to do just that. The new-found skills also are useful in many aspects … ER -