Becoming an associate
Associate Supervisors and Other Volunteers
One of the most common uses of volunteers is through the establishment of "Associate Supervisors". While many districts utilize Associate Supervisors (also sometimes referred to as "Assistant Supervisors") to help carry out their programs, the Indiana District Law (IC 14-31) does not mention this title and these positions are not officially recognized by the State of Indiana. Therefore, Associate Supervisors must be recognized as volunteers with no legal status or authority with the district, and, like any other volunteer, they cannot make motions or vote on district business matters.
They can, however, assist the district in carrying out its mission by serving on committees, overseeing special projects or activities, participating in district planning, and even contributing to policy discussions at board meetings. Other activities where these or other volunteers may assist the supervisors include working with district tree sales, operating conservation equipment rental programs, constructing outdoor labs and education centers, hosting or coordinating field days and seminars, or serving as a local speaker for county civic and service groups. Often these volunteers become elected or appointed to the position of supervisor if they continue demonstrating their interest and have skills to contribute to the district board.
Volunteers, including Associate Supervisors, serve on a voluntary basis without any compensation or salary per diem. However, volunteers may receive reimbursement for travel, meals, or lodging expenses incurred in providing assistance to the SWCD in the course of carrying out assigned duties. In order for any volunteer to receive reimbursement, the responsibilities and assigned duties must be spelled out in an agreement with the district and the agreement recorded in the minutes prior to carrying out the duties. An estimate for the travel expenses of the volunteer must be pre-approved by a motion and affirmative vote of supervisors at a SWCD meeting and recorded in the minutes prior to incurring the expense. The district is not obligated to reimburse the volunteer if funds are not available or the purpose of the travel and the duties of the volunteer which necessitated the travel expense were not officially approved by the supervisors prior to the expense being incurred.