Public Communications and Outreach Committee oversees much of the outreach efforts Approach focuses our resources on providing our members the education, means, and support needed to initiate and maintain local outreach efforts. Result is a grassroots network of outreach efforts across the state, each tailored appropriately to individual communities

Communications Plan Education and Outreach Efforts – IWEA Website – Online Resource Center – Wastewater Utilities of Indiana Calendars – Public and Membership Recognition Awards – World Water Monitoring Challenge – Membership Training – Membership Communications Strategic Planning and Benchmarking

Completed in 2007 Goal - to determine the means and methods by which IWEA can optimally communicate with targeted audiences, the optimal messages for each such audience, and an integrated plan for reaching out to each audience. Input from IWEA Executive Board members, Committee Chairs, and Members

Online, searchable database for education and outreach programs and materials Searchable based on water-related topics and/or target audiences Provides users with the ability to quickly access an array of outreach materials specifically tailored to their needs By making these resources more accessible to users, we will help to encourage their use, thereby helping to educate others on the importance of our water environment

One of our most successful outreach efforts Provides a source of income to allow purchase of educational materials Has led to fierce competitions between utilities for inclusion

Sponsored State competition since its creation Volunteers attend Regional Fairs to select Regional Winners Attempted to offer $50 donation to College student organizations who assist with Regional judging, with mixed results Volunteer Panel selects State winner Kelman and Associates became co-sponsors in 2010, providing a $500 award to state winner, in addition to travel to National competition

Designed to recognize people outside of IWEA Water Crusader Award – – Supplements Regional SJWP awards by recognizing elementary and middle school students whose project show an appreciation for our water environment. – Winners presented with a certificate as part of science fair recognitions – Over 200 awarded since 2010.

Adopt-a-School Program – Recognizes elementary, middle, and high schools and educators who demonstrate an exceptional level of dedication to educating students on the importance of preserving and protecting our water environment. – Awarded plaque and $50 educational materials

Focuses on recognizing IWEA members Outstanding Website – Recognizes an organization which has developed and maintained an exceptional website designed to promote the IWEA’s mission – Plaque awarded at Annual Conference – Past winners included Operator Associations

Ricky A Dodd Public Outreach Award – Recognizes an individual who has demonstrated significant accomplishments in promoting awareness and understanding of the importance of our water environment. – Named to honor of the late past-president of IWEA, who was a strong advocate for public outreach efforts throughout his time with IWEA.

Regional Partner since 2008 Purchase and distribute kits to Indiana schools Encourage use with Adopt-a-School program

Direct communication to members done through two avenues Digester – Quarterly magazine mailed to all members – Focus on increasing technical content – WWTP Profile, Operator Certification Quizzes, Project Profile, Product/Services Profile IWEA News – Monthly newsletter highlighting current events

Collaboration with IACT

Strategic Planning and Benchmarking Currently developing a Strategic Plan for the entire organization One major component is to establish benchmarking process – Recently completed Membership survey – received 220 responses (over 20% of members with addresses on file) from a wide cross section of members – One goal is to establish a baseline for measuring our organization’s performance and improvement

Strategic Planning and Benchmarking Results regarding communications – Many nearing retirement Need to continue using new ways of communicating Social media presence needs to increase for YPs

Questions ? Contact us! Tiffany (Tesch) Boone, E.I. IWEA Public Communications & Outreach Committee Chair American Structurepoint 7260 Shadeland Station Indianapolis, Indiana – office – cell Jessica S. Bastin, P.E. IWEA President Elect Public Communications & Outreach Committee Vice Chair Clark Dietz, Inc 8900 Keystone Crossing, Suite 900 Indianapolis, IN cell office