Purpose:
To encourage students and younger or newer water industry professionals to take an active role in the Association

Business:
Networking with other water industry professionals of all ages and backgrounds to develop long-lasting professional and business relationships

Values:
Sharing knowledge and ideas relating to the drinking water industry

Mission Statement:
Provide career development for young professionals in the water industry by:
- Providing a platform to share and seek knowledge and ideas
- Facilitating interaction with water industry professionals of all ages and backgrounds- Encouraging membership and active involvement in the Association
- Pursue synergistic relationships with other professional associations.

Vision Statement:
The AWWA Young Professionals committee is the first resource for Young Professionals, seeking career development, while increasing member retention through active involvement.

Objectives:
- Promote diversity of members from all backgrounds
- Provide opportunities for career development and association involvement and leadership
- Develop and market programs to promote the value of membership

Goals for 2011 and beyond
1. Have a committee member associated for each of the committee tasks
2. Identify a leader to organize and build momentum on events in downstate Illinois
3. Continue monthly conference call meetings
4. Develop a monthly email marketing campaign to the YP distribution list
5. Implement a program: YP "What’s Goin’ On”
6. Continue to increase the number of YP contacts on the YP email distribution list
7. Utilize the Section mentoring project to gain young professional operators on the committee
8. Develop a plan to become more active and visible at universities
9. Organize at least 2 social events annually in Chicagoland and 1 downstate
10. Organize at least 2 technical tours annually in conjunction with other organizations that include PDH/RTC credit hours
11. Encourage the Education Committee to develop at least 2 webinars annually specific for professional development for YP’s
12. Form a discovery committee to explore a statewide YP summit
13. Continue annual Arlington Race Track outing
14. Build on success at the annual joint conference
15. Establish a Joint Conference YP Planning Committee
16. Develop an outreach initiative where we encourage members to identify at least one YP within their organization to get involved in ISAWWA
17. Submit a YP article for each issue of Splash
18. Feature "YP Someone You Should Know” article in each issue of Splash
19. YP committee chair should submit a recommendation letter for active committee members to the nominating committee and board
20. Develop a list of tasks that could be performed by one time volunteers
21. Invite all ISAWWA members to YP-sponsored events
22. Develop a mentorship program at the annual conference
23. Name a YP of the year annually to be recognized at ACE

Definition of a Young Professional:
Generally considered to be members or prospective members of the ISAWWA age 35 or under, or who have been in the water industry for less than 10 years.- A YP can be anyone within any sector of the water industry including personnel from utilities, regulatory agencies, consulting firms, manufacturers, distributors, as well as academic institutions

Become a YP AWWA Member today - reduced rate thru December 31, 2012 of only $116.00 - CLICK HERE