June 2008

It has been 2 weeks since Bill Martin passed on the gavel to me at the annual conference in Bloomington, MN, and I am looking forward to taking my turn as the Wisconsin Section chair. The conference was a great success with technical presentations, vendor displays and social events that were all top notch. Many kudos to the Minnesota Section for hosting the conference. As I write my first chair's message it is 80 degrees, the birds are singing and it looks like the cool, wet spring is finally giving way to summer. My dust covered fishing boat is waiting for me to finish this article and see some action for the first time this season.

As Section vice chair last year I had the opportunity to head up the strategic planning committee for our triennial update. Our committee found that the strategic plan, first adopted six years ago, contained many goals, strategies and action steps that have successfully helped our section to stay on course. Using the basic outline of the plan we reviewed, revised, deleted and added to mold the plan to fit today's needs. The most significant changes to the plan include more emphasis and activities with our student chapters and the young professionals group, more educational outreach to K-12 students and the general public, and a focus on increasing member involvement and committee effectiveness.

Over the past few years we have helped to initiate and strengthen several student chapters in our Wisconsin engineering and technical schools. This is a result of the hard work and donated time of several members, and some financial assistance from the section. The newly formed Young Professionals group has been very active in providing leadership, organizing educational and social activities, and encouraging and mentoring our student chapters. The younger members represent the future of any organization, and it is very encouraging to have such a fine, active YP group in our Wisconsin Section.

In the area of education, we continue to provide our members with quality technical seminars, and this year will mark our first northern Wisconsin collection system conference in Marshfield and first industrial pretreatment conference in Oshkosh. Our strategic plan continues to include these professional educational goals and also includes a focus on education of and promotion of our industry to K-12 students and the general public.

Perhaps the most important goal in our strategic plan deals with member involvement and committee effectiveness. As the old adage says, to get something done you must "plan your work then work your plan". We have a lot of talented people in our organization and we should applaud all who contribute their time and efforts. As we move ahead, I hope that more and more members can step forward to get involved with our many committees and activities and make this a banner year for the Wisconsin Section.

That's all for now, and I'm going fishing! Have a great summer.

Steve Godfrey
Wisconsin Section Chair