Message from the Chair
Strengthening the Municipal Voice: Why Greater Involvment Matters
By Shanna Czeck
The New Year is more than just ordering a new planner (which is a high priority for me this time of year!) - it’s a psychological reset. January gives us an opportunity to reflect on the past year and set intentional goals which help improve focus and motivation throughout the year ahead. I like to start by reflecting on the current year to identify accomplishments and areas for improvement.
Reflecting on CSWEA, the MN Section has been working hard to fill all committee roles and getting new members connected with resources to help them be successful, plan for multiple conferences, and update the Section bylaws, all of which help the Section and the association as a whole.
Sitting in a recent Section meeting, I saw an area of improvement to increase municipal engagement. Expanding the participation of municipal staff – operators, superintendents, engineers, and public works professionals – is vital to the association’s future.
Municipal professionals are on the front lines of water and wastewater management; operating treatment facilities, maintaining collection systems, ensuring regulatory compliance and providing a vital, but thankless public service all day, every day. Their firsthand knowledge of what works (and what doesn’t) in the field provides invaluable insight into the realities behind policies, technologies, and regulations.
When municipal employees engage with CSWEA, they not only gain access to professional development and technical expertise – they help shape the conversations and initiatives that guide the entire sector. Increased municipal participation enhances CSWEA’s ability to advocate for realistic and effective solutions. Whether influencing state-level regulations, guiding workforce development programs, or supporting innovation in sustainable infrastructure, the municipal perspective ensures that decisions reflect practical, real-world challenges. By increasing municipal participation, the association ensures that the people most directly responsible for protecting public health and the environment have a voice.
CSWEA offers diverse opportunities that provide direct benefits to municipalities and their employees. Membership opens doors to training, certification opportunities, and networking with peers who face similar challenges. It allows small and mid-sized utilities to learn from the experiences of others, share best practices, and access new technologies or funding strategies. For younger staff members, participation in CSWEA
committees and events provides mentorship, career growth, and a sense of pride in the essential public service they provide. Municipal leadership plays a key role by encouraging staff to attend section meetings, submit papers, or volunteer for committees.
The challenges facing our water sector – from aging infrastructure to emerging contaminants – demand collaboration and shared leadership. When all voices are heard, CSWEA maintains a united community working together for clean water, resilient systems, and a sustainable future. The New Year is an excellent time for municipalities to get more involved with CSWEA. As I consider goals for 2026 and decide the direction I want to take, one of them will certainly be to encourage municipal colleagues to get involved with the Section. I encourage members to do the same – set the goal and follow it up with purposeful action.