AWWA Minnesota Young Professionals Committee

March 18, 2004

Meeting Minutes

7:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.

 

  1. Attendees (see attached table)

 

  1. Approval/revision of February 13, 2004 meeting minutes. Minutes approved.

 

  1. Approval/revision of March 23, 2004 meeting agenda.  Agenda approved.

 

  1. Past Action Items

 

    1. YP Social at AWWA MN Section 2004 Conference.  In progress.  Discussed below.  Jeff Yeschick contacted MN Section committee member John Crooks, who said there is a 30 minute session available on the first day of the Conference that the YP can use to speak.

 

    1. Budget, purpose and goals to MN Section board by May 29.  In progress.  Discussed below.  Annual budget will include $200-300 for poster session prizes and $200-300 for the YP meet and greet with a total of approximately $500.

 

    1. Starting a YP committee information emailed to committee members.  Done.  Brian Gray’s email address was incorrect, so Brian Zinnel will resend information to him.

 

    1. Research and contact other YP committees.  Done.  Doug Klamerus and Lisa Andrews contacted the following committees:

 

                                                               i.      Wisconsin Section – Focus is on scholarships.  Committee has two meetings per year and monthly conference calls.  Contact is Scott at Earth Tech.

                                                             ii.      Michigan Section – Committee hosts WPT tours and social events.  They have 30+ members, 10-15 per meeting consisting of government, consultants, and operators (which are difficult to find).

                                                            iii.      Iowa Section – Committee is just starting.  They hosted a meet and greet.

                                                           iv.      Ontario Section – Contacted and awaiting reply.

 

  1. Discussion

 

    1. Troy Hall with Morehead Public Utilities is hosting poster sessions on the topic of surface water treatment, etc. on April 27-29, 2004.  Students from the University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University, and possibly the University of Minnesota are encouraged to submit posters.  Professionals may also submit posters but are not eligible for prizes.  The sessions are free for students plus the cost of food.  Contact Karla Peterson for more information.

 

    1. Each committee attendee voted on our top five areas the YP committee should initially focus on as listed in the previous meeting minutes.  The top six are:

 

                                                               i.      Facility Tour (7 votes)

                                                             ii.      Mentoring (7)

                                                            iii.      Professional Development (6)

                                                           iv.      Community Service (6)

                                                             v.      Connect with other YP Committees – National, Other Sections (5)

                                                           vi.      Happy Hour/Socials (5)

 

    1. Jason Janisch proposed the following list of YP subcommittees:  Technical & Professional Development, Section Conference, Membership & Welcome, Social, Community Service, Mentoring, Fundraising, and Publicity.  The purpose of the subcommittees is to have one or two people taking the lead in each area.

 

    1. Glen Gerads mentioned that not all YP members are in the AWWA MN Section directory.  For those who were excluded, contact John Eden.

 

  1. New Action Items

 

    1. Complete Goals

 

                                                               i.      Host 3-4 facilities tours per year.

                                                             ii.      Have a presence at the MN Section Conference including a booth, posters, etc.  David Brown will lead effort.

                                                            iii.      Create a YP Committee brochure including purpose statement, goals, etc.  Brian Zinnel will lead effort.

                                                           iv.      Chose a community service project.  One project will be completed per year.  Possible projects include math mentoring, Engineering Week, Future Cities Competition (7-8 graders), Habitat for Humanity, Mississippi River cleanup, etc.

                                                             v.      Host four social events per year plus the MN Section Conference meet and greet for young professionals.  Meet and greet will be held in the evening at a small suite at the conference.  Jason Janisch will lead effort.

 

    1. Draft a YP Committee purpose statement.  David Brown and Doug Klamerus will lead effort.

 

  1. YP Committee will meet monthly for the first year and maybe bimonthly after that.  The next meeting is scheduled for 7:00 a.m., Friday April 16 or 23, 2004 at Maria’s Café in Minneapolis.  Notify David Brown of which date(s) are available and he will send an email to confirm the date.