Many Thanks to Our Vounteers!
As Brenda Lennox recently remarked about this past year, “What a ride!” and with her equestrian experience she should know! With that in mind, I’d like to begin by recognizing all the volunteers on the Local Arrangements Committee that worked so hard to bring us the Tacoma 2010 Conference.
The facility was truly magnificent and each aspect of the conference was given careful attention. From the array of vendor presentations and displays to the excellent and informative technical program, all the offerings were of the highest caliber. The agencies and companies that stepped up and gave of their personnel and resources made all of it possible, so please take time to thank our utilities, vendors and consultants for their support. Each of us took knowledge and information away from the conference that we can use as inspiration in the coming year. It was a rare treat to host Craig Woolard, AWWA President, and our own Dean Fritzke, AWWA Vice-president and our current Director. We haven’t had that much brass in one spot in recent memory. The “Town Meeting” with Craig was a nice addition, and we were treated to an inspiring and entertaining keynote address by Greg Bennick. Whether you attended for training, networking or fun, there were ample opportunities for all our members, and we should seek to carry that impetus out to our co-workers, Subsection activities, short schools and the Conference in Boise in 2011. A big thank you to all concerned from a grateful Section.
I’d like to take a moment to thank our distinguished Past Chair, Brenda Lennox, for her service to the Section. Brenda led us with patience, diligence and a sense of humor (that was handy at times I’m certain). Her patience may come from working with and training horses for barrel racing and other fun pursuits. We all shared in her pride as her daughter made it to the National Championships for College rodeo the last two years, providing one more example of her management skill and nurturing success. If you run into Brenda take a moment to thank her for her strong and capable leadership. Her ability to find the center of the debate and bring everyone together has been a positive example for all.
Once again the Pacific Northwest section is sending a strong contingent of teams and award winners to the AWWA Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE) to compete with their peers and to receive well-deserved laurels. If you plan to attend the ACE in Chicago, please take time from your busy schedule to cheer them on and to applaud their accomplishments. From our outstanding Tapping, Meter Madness, Top Ops and Best Tasting Water competitors to our many award winners, PNWS members have much to be proud of and to emulate.
We find ourselves a few years down the road from a seismic shift in our organizational structure that flowed from our strategic vision and planning. Many of the goals we set for ourselves have been accomplished. Our leadership model is staged to provide services to our members and support their goals. New features like the e-newsletter have been well received and we continue to advance the use of technical resources to expand our reach and reduce cost for training. We will be rolling out a comprehensive organization chart and a business plan in the coming months, and will be continuing to seek the best ways for the Section to be a river of resources to its’ members. Be on the lookout for new programs encouraging mentorship and increased efforts to involve and engage our diverse array of new members more comprehensively from the outset. I look forward to working with Executive Director Kyle Kihs, the veteran Board members, Chair-elect Bob Ward, and new Board members Chuck Kingston, Marshall Thompson and Lee Odell, to forge a responsive and relevant organization. Thanks to everyone for the volunteer efforts you put forth each day in service to AWWA.
Please give me a call or an e-mail if you see a need or just want to talk. This is a busy time in an uncertain economy, but together we can rise to new heights and continue to provide excellent service to our many customers. Have a great summer!
Bill Carr
Chair, Pacific Northwest Section - AWWA
