| To: | Members |
| From: | National Office |
| Date: | February 12, 1999 |
| Subject: | AMSA Unveils New Online Services |
| Reference: | MU 99-3 |
AMSA continues to add valuable tools to its Clean Water on the Web site with the debut of three new, web-based initiatives at the 1999 Winter Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. Conference attendees were able to “test drive” the new online services throughout the conference at AMSA's Pet the Net kiosk.
The following information provides a brief summary of each new online tool and how these services can best work for you and your agency. Look for their distinctive logos on AMSA's web site. AMSA will continue to build its online portfolio to better service member agencies and the wastewater community.
Don't forget to contact the National Office for your Member Pipeline “User Name” and “Password” if you have not already done so; two of these new services are “Members-Only” features.
Competitive Management Practices for Public Utilities: An AMSA/AMWA Resource Guide is a continuously-updated, online database that provides AMSA member agencies with descriptive and quantitative information on the best practices in the delivery of equipment and support services. The Resource Guide is the latest competitiveness tool designed to assist public water and wastewater utilities in their efforts to manage their operations more efficiently and cost effectively.
The Resource Guide allows AMSA members to search for effective business practices that they can implement in their own agencies. The practices presented in the Resource Guide will give agencies a fresh outlook on management issues such as customer service, human resources and the procurement of goods and services. This useful tool will undoubtedly assist wastewater agencies across the nation in improving their management practices and procedures.
POTWs across the country have submitted numerous competitive practice profiles to the AMSA/AMWA Resource Guide ranging from billing to community relations. Remember to check this site often as new business practices are continuously being submitted to the National Office.
AMSA's Congressional Connection is simply the easiest way for AMSA member agencies to access Congress. From tips on communicating with Members of Congress to daily House and Senate schedules, AMSA's Congressional Connection puts our nation's legislative process at member agencies' fingertips.
This new service — which will by showcased at AMSA's National Environmental Policy Forum & 29th Annual Meeting, May 22-26 — allows AMSA members to customize messages to Congress on key Association initiatives and conduct searches to find congressional representatives by Zip code, state delegation or name. The Connection provides a congressional directory, e-mail forms for congressional correspondence and daily House and Senate schedules for a legislative one-stop shop.
Help maintain AMSA's presence on Capitol Hill by communicating with your agency's congressional delegation when issues of importance to POTWs are on the agenda. Make sure your agency's voice is heard on Capitol Hill!
AMSA Index of Water/Wastewater Products and Services
The Index is a free, user-friendly service that provides public wastewater utilities with a comprehensive, up-to-date database of products and services. Designed to assist POTWs with making competitive purchasing decisions by providing a comprehensive database of products and services, the Index is searchable by “key words,” product name and vendor name.
In addition to providing detailed information and specifications on equipment and services, the Index will offer information on vendors' backgrounds, references, schematic drawings and product photographs.
If you have any questions regarding AMSA's online initiatives or AMSA's Member Pipeline contact Jeni Hornback, Manager, Information Systems, at 202/296-9384 or ggehrmann@amsa-cleanwater.org.
