We are pleased to provide you with updates on several important items this month.

• 2009 Application Registration System Opens August 11
• New Guidance Document on Indicator Practice 9G. Recordkeeping
• Nominations for Commissioners Closes Today
• Rally Workshops and Awards Ceremony

Mark Your Calendars: 2009 Application Registration System Opens August 11
The Commission will launch its online registration for 2009 accreditation at 12:00pm EDT on Monday, August, 11 (11:00am CDT; 10:00am MDT; 9:00am PDT). The registration system will allow land trusts to sign up for a specific application due date ("application round") in 2009. Land trusts ready to apply for accreditation in 2009 will complete an online registration form and submit an electronic payment of a $750 nonrefundable, nontransferable registration fee.

The registration system will work best with the Mozilla Firefox internet browser, although it will also function with Internet Explorer. Registrants must have their payment method ready and be prepared to answer ‘yes’ to all questions relating to eligibility and readiness (see the Are You Ready? quiz).

Payments will be processed by PayPal, a secure online payment system. Registrants may pay the $750 registration fee as a PayPal guest (i.e. no PayPal account is required) via credit or debit card. To pay by electronic check using a checking account, registrants will be required to have a verified PayPal account with a confirmed bank account. For more information about establishing a PayPal account please visit http://www.PayPal.com.

New Recordkeeping Guidance Document Available
Proper recordkeeping is an essential part of operating a land trust. The Commission has issued a new Guidance Document on indicator practice 9G. Recordkeeping to help applicants for accreditation interpret this practice. The Guidance Document clarifies what the Commission will look for with respect to storage and duplication of irreplaceable and essential documents. Read the Guidance Document today at: http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/pdf/9GGuidanceDocument.pdf.

Deadline Today! Call for Volunteer Commissioners
The Land Trust Accreditation Commission is seeking individuals interested in serving as volunteer commissioners. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the new land trust accreditation program, work with a strong team of commissioners and learn about conservation practices across the country. Volunteers must be willing to volunteer up to 30 days of service each year and serve at least one three-year term. For more information about commissioner responsibilities see http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/home/29-about-the-commission/140-commission-member-position-description. Interested candidates must submit a summary of their qualifications online. Read more. Responses from candidates will be accepted through July 30, 2008.

Join us at Rally for the Inaugural Accreditation Awards Ceremony
This year’s National Land Conservation Conference: Rally 2008, will be another historic one for the accreditation program – and the entire land trust community. The Commission will hold its inaugural accreditation awards ceremony during the Welcoming Dinner on Friday, September 19. We hope to see many of you in Pittsburgh, PA as we recognize land trusts being awarded the accreditation seal.

We’ll also be hosting two workshops for land trust volunteers and professionals interested in learning more about the program, or current and future applicants looking for application tips -- Building on Your Organization's Success through the Land Trust Accreditation Program and Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Process, Tips and Pointers for Assembling a Land Trust Accreditation Application.

Get information on everything Rally, including registration, at the Land Trust Alliance’s website, http://www.lta.org/rally/overview/overview.