Member Pipeline - Fax Alerts - April 2, 2004
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April 2, 2004
Changing Workforce
Handbook to Help Utility Leaders Plan for the Future
AMSA and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) released this week a timely publication titled The Changing Workforce…Crisis & Opportunity. This publication provides a hands-on guide of “what to do now” in order to prepare for the fundamental workforce changes over the next 10 years. As the demand for qualified, skilled employees rapidly increases, and the supply steadily declines, this handbook is a key tool to help utility leaders gain and maintain a competitive edge. The Changing Workforce provides an analysis of well-researched workforce trends in the water and wastewater industries and provides guidance for successful planning in five key areas: 1) Knowledge Retention; 2) Learning Environment; 3) Management and Supervisory Development; 4) Management Team and Governance Board Alignment; and 5) Effective Communication. AMSA yesterday distributed complimentary copies of the publication to all members by mail along with Member Update 04-05 (http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/private/membcomm/memupdate/mu04-05.cfm). Additional copies can be purchased for $35 each by visiting AMSA’s online bookstore (http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/pubs/publist.cfm).AMSA to Continue Push
for Stormwater Provision in Transportation Bill
The House today passed its version of highway transportation legislation (HR 3550), which would provide $284 billion to states for highway construction projects. Unlike the Senate version of the bill (S. 1072), which contains $318 billion in overall funding including a set-aside of $960 million for stormwater mitigation projects, the House bill does not contain a similar stormwater provision. There are already House champions of the stormwater funding provision, most notably Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD), member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, who unsuccessfully sought an amendment to the House bill that mirrored the Senate stormwater provision. AMSA will urge the Senate and House conferees to include the stormwater funding provision in the version of the bill that gets sent to the President to sign. AMSA’s efforts helped ensure the stormwater funding provision was included in the Senate bill on a vote of 76-21 [see FaxAlert 2-13-04] and the Association will work to ensure that this provision will be included in the final package.AMSA Prepares for Policy Forum, Confirms Key Speakers
Preparation for AMSA’s 2004 National Environmental Policy Forum and 34th Annual Meeting is well underway and the Association is pleased that many of the speakers have already confirmed their plans to attend and share their thoughts and perspectives with the membership. Among those already confirmed for the Policy Forum are: Senator John Warner (R-VA); Atlanta Mayor, Shirley Franklin; grassroots productivity expert, Amy Showalter; Charlie Cook, renowned political analyst; Michele Nellenbach and Catharine Ransom, representing the Majority and Minority, respectively, of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee; and Susan Bodine and Ken Kopocis representing, respectively, the Majority and Minority of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. AMSA encourages members to register today for what promises to be an engaging and enlightening conference. The deadline for hotel reservations is Wednesday, April 28, 2004, so reserve your room today by calling the Renaissance Hotel, 800-HOTELS-1 or 202/898/9000 to obtain the special room rate of $199 single/double. Please click on the Policy Forum icon at www.amsa-cleanwater.org for registration and agenda information.