Levels of Leadership

Maybe you have been asked to volunteer or lead a project. Perhaps you are seeking career advancement, looking to give back or make a difference with an organization, team or specific effort. Maybe you are ready to take it to the next level. The Section can help build and develop the skills needed to become an effective leader and those leadership skills will translate easily between the Section and the work place. If you are a proven leader at work, you will easily become a leader within the Section. If you are looking to build your leadership skills, the Section is a great place to build those skills that will assist you in your future career goals.

There are three levels of leadership opportunities available within the Section.

  • Subsection
  • Section Wide Committees
  • Section Board of Trustees

Subsection Leadership

The Pacific Northwest Section of the American Water Works Association provides all of the association trainings and activities within the states of Oregon, Washington and a portion of Idaho. The Section Board of Trustees has created 12 subsections within this geographic area to provide more grass roots opportunities for members. These 12 subsections have their own officers that manage the day to day activities of their regional area while reporting to the Section Board of Trustees. These subsection officers are responsible for providing training, guidance and volunteer opportunities to water professionals in their region. Subsection officers must be individual, utility or consultant members in good standing with AWWA. These 12 subsections have their own finances that they manage and which the Section Board of Trustees have fiduciary responsibility for. Subsection officer’s report annually to the Section Board of Trustees at the Section Winter Trustee Meeting which is held in Portland, Oregon the first week in February. See the Subsection page on our website to find out which subsection you are a part of. Additional information regarding officer positions can be found in subsection bylaws on their respective subsection webpage.

Committee Leadership

The Section has over 40 committees each specializing in a specific area. Committees are made up of members throughout our Section. Each committee has their own officers who manage the day to day activities of that committee while reporting to the Section Board of Trustees. Committee officers are responsible for providing training, guidance and volunteer opportunities in a specific field to to water professionals in our three states. Committee officers must be individual, utility or consultant members in good standing with AWWA. Committees must present an annual budget to the Section Board of Trustees for approval. Committee budgets are managed through the Section office. Each committee is assigned to a Board member who acts as the Committee’s liaison to the Board. See the Committee webpage for a listing of all our current Section committees and their officers.

Section Board of Trustees

The ultimate leadership opportunity lies with the Section Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees is the governing body of the section and will execute its business in accordance with its governing documents. Section Board of Trustees have fiduciary responsibility on all financial matters within the Section. The Board of Trustees plays an essential role in shaping and advancing the mission and strategic priorities of the Pacific Northwest Section and the American Water Works Association. Trustees serve a two year term, with the possibility of extending their commitment another three years by serving as Section Chair-elect, Chair and Past Chair.

Additionally, after completing a two year term as trustee you may be asked to run for Association Director. The Association Director serves as an active member of the AWWA Board and the Section Board simultaneously, serving as a liaison between the association and the section. The AWWA Board formally meets twice a year, in the winter and at ACE. You can expect to participate at the board level as well as in assigned committees. Further opportunities exist at the vice president level and ultimately as President of our international association. To learn about the experience and/or competencies that we are looking for in our next AWWA Director please see the information packet below or visit the AWWA website.

The Nominating Committee of the Pacific Northwest Section of the American Water Works Association is always seeking individuals to serve on the Board of Trustees. The Nominating Committee (five most recent Section Past Chairs) is committed to developing a diverse and balanced Board of Trustees that supports the Executive Director in advancing the mission and strategic priorities of the section and the association. To create a balanced board the Nominating Committee considers among other things:

  1. Board member skill sets – key attributes
  2. Special skills or expertise germane to key strategic initiatives
  3. Generational, geographic, gender, cultural, industry, ethnic or specialty related experience

 

Questions regarding leadership opportunities at any level within the Section should be directed to the Section Executive Director – Kyle Kihs.