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PRESIdENT’S MESSAGE
LEN STEIN,
BCWWA PRESIDENT
I
t seems like just yesterday that I
started to write my first president’s
message for Watermark, but here I am
now, putting together my last one.
I have truly enjoyed being your president and will
carry my memories of the past year with pride.
There are many challenges on the horizon for
BC Water & Waste Association and its members.
I am certain that the individuals who stand for
election to the Board of Directors, and those who
volunteer to participate on BCWWA’s technical
committees will face these challenges with an
enthusiasm that will astound us all. The Board
constantly receives new ideas from its members
– some of these ideas are solicited through
member surveys, formal discussion forums and
informal conversations. Others are offered by
members voluntarily. These ideas range from
opinions on certification to how the organization
should be run. Member opinions and feedback
help to guide the Board’s decision-making
process, and, while we may not always agree
with an individual opinion, we can certainly
disagree with a professionalism that would make
Gandhi proud.
OUR MISSION
6
Member input is
critical to our future direction
“Over the past two years, BCWWA has
begun the process of creating position statements that identify the
association’s official position on a particular issue.”
Watermark Spring 2012
“A ‘No’ uttered from the deepest conviction is
better than a ‘Yes’ merely uttered to please, or
worse, to avoid trouble.”
- Mahatma gandhi
I have found that the BCWWA Board does
not shrink from its responsibilities. The Board
has always taken on responsibilities so that it
can deliver the information and support that
members expect and deserve.
At times, some BCWWA members assert that
we have not gone far enough on a subject. One
of the Board’s greatest responsibilities is to
take into account the perspectives of the entire
membership – not just those with the strongest
view. The loudest opinion does not necessarily
represent the most correct action.
Over the past two years, BCWWA has begun
the process of creating position statements
that identify the association’s official position
on a particular issue. The position statements
are backed up by research and analysis: the
first five position statements, along with their
issue analysis papers, are available on the
BCWWA website (www.bcwwa.org/resources/
position-statements.html). Several more position
statements are in progress, based on input from
the Leadership Council and the membership at
large. These include:
• Water Metering
• Climate Change
• Reporting on Water Withdrawals
BCWWA will continue to advocate for areas that
the membership deems important.
This is your organization and you need to be
involved. There are always questions, concerns
and doubts about what is around the corner.
Should change take place? If so, how should it
happen? Lend your voice and your actions: let
the Board know where you would like to see this
organization go. You can send your feedback
to BCWWA through the feedback form at
www.bcwwa.org/contact.html, by contacting a
Board member directly, or by finding one of us at the
Annual Conference in Penticton. See you there!
Safeguarding public health and the environment through the sharing of skills, knowledge,
education and experience, and providing a voice for the water and waste community.
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