NARC&DC’s Circle of Diamonds
Standards of Excellence

 

 

 

Introduction

The Circle of Diamonds program highlights the invaluable work that RC&D Councils perform in their communities and recognizes the good stewardship practices that Councils have put in place. The program is a proactive means for RC&D Councils to demonstrate that they are complying with the basic requirements of the RC&D statute (Public Law 107–171, Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, Sections 1528-1537) and best non-profit management practices. The program has three tiers or levels: Tier I or "Basic," Tier II or "Enhanced," and Tier III or "Premier."

More than anything, membership in NARC&DC’s Circle of Diamonds demonstrates the honesty, integrity, and strong commitment of RC&D Councils to the RC&D mission of "Making Things Happen." 

Background

In June 2003, the NARC&DC’s Circle of Diamonds Program came into being with a single tier. Initially an $85 application fee applied, but later that year the fee was eliminated by unanimous consent by the NARC&DC board of directors to ensure that cost would not be a barrier to membership. In June 2007, the board unanimously agreed to make the Circle of Diamonds a national priority.  This was done to ensure the accountability of RC&D Councils nationwide.  As such, the board set a goal of 100% membership for all RC&D Councils nationwide.

 

Program Requirements 

General Membership Requirements

Requirements for membership include all federal or state mandated good governance requirements, as well as the basic requirements of the RC&D statute (Public Law 107–171, Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, Sections 1528-1537). 

  1. The Council must be a dues-paying member of the National Association of RC&D Councils.
  2. The Council must be an open, neutral forum free from the control of any single individual, organization, agency, sector, political party, or interest group.  
  3. The Council must represent the diversity of its area (i.e., the makeup of its population, including ethnic, gender, and community interests).  
  4. The Council must use public input processes that set the Council's overall policy and direction.
  5. The Council must have a president, or other official, who is capable and qualified to produce outcomes at the direction of the Council' s board of directors. 
  6. The Council must actively participate in the nationwide network of RC&D Councils. 
  7. The Council must be structured as a federally recognized non-profit. 
  8. The Council must have the ability to reach out to its local community and assist in the effectiveness of government, non-profit, and private sector programs impacting the Council’s local area. 
  9. The Council must ensure that the full Council meets regularly and that the Council’s board of directors meets at least once per quarter.

 

Basic Level

Specific requirements for the Basic Level: applicants must submit completed forms NARC&DC-CD#1 and NRC&DC-CD#2 to the NARC&DC (preferably in electronic format, when possible). Those forms can be downloaded from the links on the right of this page.

In addition to those two forms, applicants must submit:

  1. By-laws
  2. Articles of incorporation
  3. IRS determination letter
  4. Two examples of published outreach mechanisms from the past year (e.g., workshops, news articles, brochures, pamphlets, etc.) 
  5. Annual report
  6. Membership list, including members’ mailing addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses
  7. Five references, three of which have been served by the Council 
  8. Current area and annual plans (Since the NRCS is no longer administering the RC&D Program, these plans need only be approved by your RC&D Council. The plans must touch upon the four RC&D mission elements, but otherwise all previous requirements are no longer being imposed.)

 

Enhanced Level

The purpose of the Enhanced Program is to raise the bar above and beyond what is required of a good not-for-profit corporation. Councils may apply for membership in the Enhanced Program at any time after the approval of their Basic Level application. By submitting the Enhanced Program membership application, the Council certifies that all of the general requirements below has been met:                                                                                            

 Requirements for Enhanced Level Membership:

 The applicant council certifies that:

  1. The Council or applicant area Council is current on dues to the NARC&DC
  2. The Council or applicant area Council is complying with all requirements of Basic Membership
  3. At least one member of the Council is actively participating in the nationwide network of RC&D councils (e.g., through the NARC&DC listserve)

Applicants must submit forms NARC&DC-CD#3 and NARC&DC-CD#4, available for download on this website.

 

Premier Level

The purpose of the Premier Level is to raise the bar still higher; here the focus is on risk management and additional financial accountability practices.  Membership in the Premier Program is contingent upon being a member of the Enhanced Program for at least one year. 

In order to be granted membership at the Premier Level, all general requirements above must be met, and applicants must submit forms NARC&DC-CD#5 and NARC&DC-CD#6.

 

Annual Reauthorization

Membership is based upon calendar year (January 1 – December 31). To be reauthorized, a Reauthorization Application (form NARC&DC-CD#7) must be submitted to certify that the Council is continuing to meet the requirements set forth in its original application. Additionally, members will be asked to submit one example of their communication efforts and a copy of their Annual Plan of Work and Area Plan, if those documents have been updated within the past year.  

Revised: 8/20/2011