Leadership and Management Committee
SMALL CITIES/ RURAL COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE
BUSINESS PLAN
2014-2015
APWA Mission Statement
The American Public Works Association exists to develop and support the people, agencies, and organizations that plan, build, maintain, and improve our communities. Working together, APWA and its membership contribute to a higher and sustainable quality of life.
APWA Priority:Professional Development – Integrated and Comprehensive
Committee Goal:On behalf of Small Cities/Rural Communities, the Committee will support delivery and continued development of programs;encourage participation in the leadership track of credentialing programs; enhance communications and assure efficient delivery of current programs; and strengthen collaboration with Chapters and Institutes.
Strategies:
1.1To conduct an annual Town Hall Meeting of members representing Small Cities/Rural Communities at the APWA Congress each year and utilize other outreach tools as available to determine the needs of Small Cities/Rural Communities including conducting a survey and better utilization of infoNOW.
1.2 To conduct a minimum of two on-line Town Hall meetings on topics
suggested by and pertinent to members from Small Cities/Rural
Communities.
1.3 To develop topics and speakers for three Guaranteed Education sessions to be presented at Congress 2015 in Phoenix, AZ
1.4To submit articles for each individual issue of the APWA Reporter written by, or focused on the needs or successes of small cities/rural communities in each topic area.
1.5To review the monthly meeting summaries of each Technical Committee to determine what topics being discussed that are of importance to SC/RC members and to provide comments on same and to support their efforts, i.e. Emergency Management – NIMS training.
1.6To increase awareness of federal programs that may impact SC/RC members such as performance measures for transportation, included in Map 21, EPA audits, NIMS, Stormwater, and ICS training.
1.7To actively promote education and training to elected and appointed officials as to the purpose of public works in their communities and to the infrastructure needs within their communities to encourage strong support to making needed improvements.
1.8To gather information and resources for training from outside entities not currently provided by or accepted by APWA, which can be utilized by
members for continuing education units for Certificate or Certification programs.
1.9To enhance the SC/RC web site by making it easier to locate, and to include an inventory of resources such as Tool Kits, training manuals from members, links to Institutes, and other documents considered to be valuable practices that may be provided and shared by members.
1.10Prepare a publication on innovative methods and practices.
1.11 Prepare a publication on succession planning for Small Cities/Rural Communities.
APWA Priority:Advocacy of Public Works
Committee Goal:On behalf of Small Cities/Rural Communities, the Committee will continue to be the voice and representative of public works at the federal level; enhance efforts to provide technical input on regulatory issues; strengthen relationships with like-minded/allied organizations to leverage influence and advance priorities; support advocacy at the state level; improve the public perception of the public works profession and the value of public works’ contributions to communities; and increase participation in the Accreditation program.
Strategies:
2.1To provide direction on proposed legislation or regulatory issues and their impact on Small Cities/Rural Communities with the Government Affairs Committee, including providing updates to that Committee.
2.2To review current Guidance and Position statements pertinent to issues directly impacting Small Cities/Rural Communities.
2.3To continue enhancement of the Advocacy Tool Kit for agencies, Chapters or branches that will provide updated templates for making contacts and developing relationships with Congressional and State representatives.
2.4To provide expert testimony at hearings and forums for all issues which may impact Small Cities/Rural Communities.
2.5To continue making a concerted effort to increase the recognition of the needs of Small Cities/Rural Communities within APWA and the profession.
2.6To develop a new logo for SC/RC that more accurately portrays who we are and who we represent.
APWA Priority:Support and Strengthen Chapters
Committee Goal:On behalf of Small Cities/Rural Communities, the Committee will support the success of priorities identified by the new Council of Chapters; work to strengthen the linkages and support between National and Chapters; and support and assist Chapters in delivery of education and professional development services and products.
Strategies:
3.1To continue utilize members for task-specific purposes.
3.2Invite a member from a Small or Rural Community to participate in one of the monthly SC/RC committee conference calls and to provide insight into their issues, any successful programs they have developed, and inovative ways to solve problems that could be shared with others.
3.3To monitor and update the Model Outreach Program developed to assist members in chapters and branches to build relationships with non-members from surrounding cities/counties to provide networking opportunities with a close proximity to where they live and work, and eventually, provide benefits of membership in APWA.
3.4To encourage submission of applications for the Project of the Year Award to recognize projects accomplished by a small or rural community/county which made a major impact on their jurisdiction, regardless of whether it meets the cost threshold for other existing award categories.
3.5To encourage chapters to secure a session at their individualState Municipal League Annual Meetings on a pertinent topic about public works.
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