About Us: CRS Users Groups are communities that meet regularly to provide a forum about the National Flood Insurance Program's voluntary program, the Community Rating System, and other floodplain management issues. Meetings often include informational presentations and group discussions to transfer knowledge and troubleshoot difficult floodplain management issues. Non-participating communities often attend these meetings to ask questions and learn from the discussions and presentations as they contemplate joining the program. Established in 2010, the Virginia CRS Workgroup includes locality representatives from a wide range of communities in the Commonwealth. We also welcome participation from the private and academic sectors interested in learning about the NFIP, CRS, and floodplain management.

Work Group Expansion: The Workgroup initially served only coastal communities and was called the “Coastal VA CRS Workgroup.” We began providing online participation as an option to help reach geographically distanced and under resourced communities. This online option opened participation across the state and sometimes beyond.

Workgroup Mission Statement: The Virginia Community Rating System Workgroup promotes education and cultivation of strong floodplain management programs in the Commonwealth.

Workgroup Goals
Create 1-3 work products to assist locality staff earn CRS credits
Incorporate an element of informational training into every Workgroup meeting
Build a Workgroup website and populate it with helpful and impactful content
Strengthen relationships with Virginia Floodplain Management Association (VFMA) and the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM)

Workgroup Leadership
Co-Chair: Mary-Carson Stiff, Wetlands Watch, mc.stiff@wetlandswatch.org
Co-Chair: Savannah Newbern, Wetlands Watch, savannah.newbern@wetlandswatch.org

Workgroup Meetings
The Virginia CRS Workgroup meets every other month at 700 Town Center Drive, Newport News, Virginia. Meetings are typically held in the James Room and occasionally in the Warwick Room, both of which are located on the first floor of the building. Meetings run from 10AM-Noon. All are welcome! Registration or prior notice is not required. We pursue CFM credits for each meeting, but credits are not always awarded. 

Future Workgroup Meetings
2024
Wednesday, May 29, 10AM-Noon (in person & zoom - James Room)
Wednesday, July 31, 10AM-Noon (in person & zoom - James Room)
Wednesday, September 25, 10AM-Noon (in person & zoom - James Room)
Wednesday, November 20, 10AM-Noon (in person & zoom - James Room)

2025
Wednesday, January 29, 10AM-Noon (in person & zoom - James Room)
Wednesday, March 26, 10AM-Noon (in person & zoom - James Room)
Wednesday, May 28, 10AM-Noon (in person & zoom - James Room)
Wednesday, July 30, 10AM-Noon (in person & zoom - James Room)
Wednesday, September 24, 10AM-Noon (in person & zoom - James Room)
Wednesday, November 19, 10AM-Noon (in person & zoom - James Room)