AWWA Minnesota Section – Young Professionals Committee

 

Minnesota Section AWWA Annual Conferece

DECC Duluth, MN – Thursday, September 21, 2006 @ 7:00 AM

 

MEETING MINUTES

 

             I.      Roll Call

 

Kevin Renslow, Lisa Vollbrecht, Doug Klamerus, Grant Meyer, Jenny Shah, Michelle Gruenhagen, Myron Volker, Brian Zinnel, Chris Glassing,  John Chlebeck, Brad Forester, Jeff Yeschick, Jason Janisch, Todd Butz, Kevin Anderson

 

-     Chris Glassing introduced Myron Volker as the new Public Affairs Council Chairperson.  The YP Committee sits under the PAC.  Volker thanked the committee for their involvement in AWWA and encouraged members to think of ways to increase operator involvement both on the section level and on the national level.  Volker stressed the importance of having accurate and on time budget numbers.  Glassing expressed thanks to Myron and the Board for getting financial approval for Brian Zinnel to attend the National YP Summit.  Volker appreciated the extensive report of Zinnel’s trip and expressed the importance of sending YP’s to future YP Summit’s.  Volker asked if there were any budget changes that he could add last minute.  Glassing briefly discussed budget items submitted which included the expense for one member to attend the YP Summit.  No items were added to the budget.

 

          II.      Review and Approve Minutes from past meeting

           

Approved

           

       III.      Review and Approve Agenda

           

Approved

 

        IV.      Unfinished Business

 

A.     Community Service Project

 

1)        World of Water Student Poster Competition – Public Outreach Goal for 2007.  Chris Glassing has forwarded documents to Brent Massmann and Aleisha Kiley regarding this competition.  Xcel Energy holds a similar competition for children except using Electrical Safety as the theme.

 

B.     Policies & Procedures update –

1)        Guidance Document – Chris Glassing explained the purpose of the guidance document.  The document is being revised as outlined in the previous minutes.  The member list and contact information will be eliminated from the guidance document as this information will be maintained in a separate document found on the YP website.  Again, major changes to the guidance document will be made on an annual basis…minor changes as needed.

 

C.     Conference Events

 

 

1)        Reception Mixer in conjunction with the Harbor Cruise,  AWWA Conference - Brian Zinnel and Lisa Vollbrecht organized the reception mixer being held tonight, Thursday September 21st.  The card theme will be used to draw attention to the Texas Hold’em Tournament.  Harbor Cruise attendees will be given a card which contains questions that should be asked of a YP.  After the card is completed, the individual will be entered into a drawing to win 1 of 4 $50.00 gift certificates to Target or Home Depot.

2)        Texas Hold’em Tournament will be held tonight, Thursday, September 21st immediately following the banquet.  Jason Janisch is organizing the First Annual Texas Hold’em Tournament sponsored by the YP Committee.  The suggested donation to participate in the tournament is $20.00 per player.  Brad Forester was able to secure 6 - $100 table sponsors, as well as, several other tournament sponsors for prizes to give away.  Therefore, 100 percent of the donations will be used to fund the David B. Morris Scholarship Fund.  There will be 6 tables and 8 players to a table.

3)        Fresh Ideas Competition – Bo Johnston will be presenting his award winning paper at 3:15pm Thursday Sept 21st.  Glassing encouraged members to support our competition by attending the presentation.    

 

 

D.    Sub-Committee Reports

 

1)        Membership (Todd Butz) – Butz discussed the primary goal of the membership committee is to contact and recruit younger individuals in the water industry.  Butz is organizing a group panel of individuals in the water industry to talk to either high schools and/or college students regarding career paths.  The goal for timing of the panel is October/November.  Members interested in assisting in the panel should contact Butz.         

 

2)        Social (Brian Zinnel) –  Zinnel expressed the importance of YPC having a presence at the annual conference and encouraged all members to participate in YP and non-YP events..

 

3)        Public Affairs – Glassing explained that Drew Hess has moved and will no longer be participating in MN Section.  Glassing asked that members interested in becoming the workgroup chairperson contact Zinnel or Glassing.

 

4)        Fresh Ideas (Brad Forester) – Forester announced the winner of the 2006 Fresh Ideas Competition – Bo Johnston.  Forester encouraged members to attend the presentation.  Forester discussed the need for YP to work with MAC to provide assistance for winner to attend and present at the National Conference.  Glassing indicated that the National YP documents are unclear how this program should be funded, but it is stated that MAC and YP should work together to support this program.  MAC said they will help YP with all of their efforts, but they do not have money in their budget for this program.  Glassing explained that MAC could put this in their budget or YP could put this in their budget.  Glassing stated that if this is a YP program then YP should have it in their budget.  Glassing included funding for this program in the 2006/2007 YP budget.

 

           V.      New Business

 

A.    Re-Cap of 2006 – Glassing discussed YPC accomplishments made in 2006.  The committee was very active with many accomplishments in 2006 including, development of YP Guidance Document, Creation of four sub-committee (workgroups), represented MN YP at the National YP Summit, collaborated with Central States Water Environment Association Young Professional Committee at a facility tour of St. Anthony Falls Laboratory and social at Tugg’s Restaurant, hosted a meet and greet social event at the Metro District Operators School in Bloomington, organized a facility tour of DeZurik and social event in St. Cloud, and developed the 1st Fresh Ideas Competition, will hold the 1st Texas Holdem Tournament to support the Scholarship Fund, and hold a YP Mixer on the Harbor Cruise. 

B.    Nominations for 2007 Chair-Elect – Glassing opened the floor for nominations.  Zinnel nominated Lisa Volbrecht- City of St. Cloud, Kevin Andersen nominated Todd Butz – Tonka Water Equipment.  Nomination were closed and ballots were distributed.  Zinnel counted the votes.  Zinnel announced that Todd Butz will be the 2006/2007 YP Chair-Elect. 

C.    Transition of 2006 Chair-Elect to Chair – Glassing passed off Chair position to Zinnel.  Glassing will move to Immediate Past-Chair Position.

D.    National YP – Grant Meyer explained there were 6 spaces (16-18 applicants) for the National ACE for presentations.  Open topics include Water Operation and Advances.  Abstracts due mid-November.  Meyer stated that there are several open committees on the National level and encouraged YP members to become involved on the National level as well as the section level.  

 

          II.      Announcements and Next Meeting

 

Zinnel encouraged members to participate in conference events, particularly the YP sponsored events.  Next meeting scheduled for December 2006.  Exact date, time, and place will be announced at a later date.