To All DCVA Members:

Since our last annual meeting in March, your board of directors has been busy working on a plan for the future so we can be assured that we will continue to be successful in the fulfillment of our mission.  To that end, we have drafted a vision statement that, when completed, will serve as a compass for the DCVA as we move forward into the future.   Simply stated, a vision statement is a description of where we want to be in the future.  For our vision statement, we have chosen a 5 year horizon.  The input for this draft statement started with a visioning session held at our board meeting in May.  After several iterations, we are pleased to be sharing this draft statement with all the members of the DCVA for purpose of getting your input and thoughts on this very important document.  Your voice matters and we would very much like to hear from you.  Please give us your thoughts by June 30th by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Once we have received member input, a final draft will be voted upon at the July board meeting and will become our official vision statement.  At our annual picnic, coming up this August 15th at Dry Creek Vineyards, we will have the final statement prepared for everyone to view.  The complete text of our mission statement and the draft vision statement are shown below. 

We look forward to hearing from you!

The Board of Directors of the DCVA

DCVA Mission:

To protect and enhance the natural resources, rural aspects and agricultural heritage of the Dry Creek Valley and its watershed while safeguarding the interests of the valley’s present and future community.

DCVA Vision Statement (DRAFT)

Since 1974, the DCVA has been actively engaged in shaping the future of the Dry Creek Valley and its watershed.  The founding members, the leadership of the organization and its members have played a significant role in safeguarding our area from development and encroachment and preserving our rural heritage.  Today, the DCVA has embarked on a reaffirmation of our core mission and based upon the legacy and vision of the founding members, we are ready to step forward with a statement of our vision for the future:

In five years:

We will open a community center designed to be a gathering place for the association and its members throughout the Dry Creek watershed.  This new center will provide the DCVA with an enduring and sustainable legacy.   It will be designed to accommodate large and small gatherings with facilities both indoors and outdoors.  It will feature a community garden and other amenities that will allow us to showcase the associations work towards protecting and enhancing our community and its natural beauty.

We will achieve a membership roster that represents over 50% of the residents and landowners in the watershed.  This majority level of membership will allow us to have a strong voice at the local, county and state levels of government, including elected officials and regulatory agencies.  Our membership will include over 50% of the wineries within our boundary.  Additionally, our membership will mirror more closely the demographic diversity of the area. 

We will have moved the reputation, image and credibility of the DCVA to a significantly higher level.  This will be achieved through our higher membership, a well executed outreach effort and by collaboration with other associations and non-government organizations. In particular, we will have formed a strong collaborative partnership with the Wine Growers of Dry Creek Valley which will result in a new level of cooperation around shared interests. Internally, the association and its board will enjoy an unprecedented level of cooperation, team work and mutual respect.  The net result will be a new level of community cohesiveness and participation. 

We will have organized a grass roots fundraising effort that will allow us to raise funds at a significantly higher level than we have historically.  This will result in establishing a significant endowment fund to be used for the support and maintenance of the new community center.   Additionally, we will have raised over $200,000 to fund our on-going efforts to protect and preserve our watershed.  These funds will be used for funding of impact studies, university grants and other activities that will allow us to mount serious and well organized campaigns to influence decisions and policy affecting our watershed.

We will have been successful at holding fast to our mission.  Our watershed will retain its agricultural zoning and our water resources will be protected.  The scenic nature of the area will  remain intact and we will have reached an appropriate equilibrium balancing the commercial and tourism interests that are vital for a vibrant local economy with our core mission to protect the rural aspects of the area.  We will become strong advocates for agriculture with an emphasis on sustainability and diversity.

We will have made significant improvements in the general safety of the area including road safety, fire protection and disaster preparedness.

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