On June 5th and 6th your CEO, Samantha Roe, and I had the honor to represent the IECA in lobby days in Washington, DC. During our visit, we were able to have direct conversations with members of the House and Senate, along with a very good meeting with the EPA. In each conversation, we were warmly welcomed and allowed to express the Mission of IECA as an educational body providing continuing education and innovation for the management of both soil erosion and stormwater. We also discussed the need for trained and certified individuals to implement Designs, Inspections, and Installation procedures, recognizing our certification partners, who test and certify the knowledge and abilities of their applicants.
During the open conversations, we were both amazed at the number and quality of questions directed toward our industry and association. The nine members of the EPA staff that visited with us were very agreeable to maintaining open lines of communication with the headquarters in Washington and the EPA regional offices. It is our desire to develop a close relationship with the EPA so that we can provide the most up to date information from the EPA to our membership, as it is their desire to have the information provided to our membership and all those invested in our industry. With the open lines of communication, we are hopeful that IECA will be able to have a voice in future legislation and policy development as it pertains to stormwater and erosion control.
Our visit to Washington also brought about another point that is important for our membership to address if we are to become the Association that we can be.
Nominations for Our Board are Now Open.
Leadership is Critical!
Each one of us knows that when the leadership of our office, company, or industry is strong, things get done and done correctly. It is the same in any organization. The IECA needs strong leadership to encourage our members, strengthen our impact in the industry and to shape the policies that impact on the soil erosion and water quality of our individual nations. Leaders are identifiable; we each know individuals who have these qualities and who have demonstrated their leadership abilities. The IECA Board as well as the committees and project task forces all need the presence of strong leadership. The committee chairs and project task force chairs are appointed by the Board to perform their duties. The CEO and Staff are directed by the Board in their mission to increase the presence and impact of the IECA on continuing education for our members and national and local policies that impact the stability of our soils and purity of our waterways. It is the quality of the Board members and their leadership ability that impacts the entire Association.
You have a voice in who is leading, but to make your voice heard, you have to get involved. First, encourage individuals in your peer group who possess leadership skills and abilities to run for the Board. Don’t just encourage, nominate them and provide support in getting their resume out to the membership. Second, as a member, review the nominees and their resumes. These individuals are going to shape the IECA, they are going to direct the staff, committees and task forces into the future that lies ahead for the IECA.
Our future is literally in the hands of our membership. Nominate – Review and Vote for the leaders of our Association. Leadership is Critical!
Sincerely,
International Erosion Control
Board of Directors – President