Illinois Water Environment Association
NEWSLETTER
Volume 25, No. 2 - Summer 2004 page 2

Presidents's Forum

John Drake
IWEA President

What's happening fellow members?

This time of year has been called the lazy days of summer. However, for many of our membership this time of year is anything but lazy. So, as it relates to IWEA this is what the lazy days of summer have involved.

The last time you heard from me I emphasized IWEA was on the move and indeed we are.

A post conference meeting was held on April 16 in Bloomington. The purpose of this meeting was to critique our 2004 Annual Conference and discuss ideas for improving upon the successes we realized in 2004. The meeting provided constructive ideas and activities have already begun to build upon our past successes. The Local Arrangements and Program Committee's report shows significant progress in preparation for our 2005 conference. You should note the "Request for Abstracts" included in this publication and also available on our web page.

Greg Brunst, Lou Kollias, and Toby Ducket attended the WEFMAX 2004 meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana May 6-8. Nine MA's were represented at this meeting. The main reason for attending these meetings is the exchange of information with WEF staff and other MA members dealing with issues very similar to ours.

The Executive Committee met on May 21 at Starved Rock State Park for our Long Range Planning meeting. The meeting was held, plans were made and follow through has begun.

On June 18 the Executive Committee and Committee Chairs met in Bloomington. In addition to individual reports from the Executive Committee members and each committee chair, the focus of this meeting was presenting 2004-2005 committee work plans and budget and finalizing IWEA's annual budget. These activities were all successfully completed. In having reviewed each committee work plan, I can report that IWEA is indeed on the move. Even though we may be in the lazy days of summer our committee activities are anything but lazy. Recently, the Operations Committee held two seminars on Nutrients. One was held in DuQuoin on August 5 and the other was held in DeKalb on August 12. I hope you were able to attend.

I cannot overemphasize that your individual input into IWEA's planning and activities is as important as those of the Executive Committee and committee chairs. I encourage you to contact any officer or me to contribute your thoughts and ideas. Enjoy the rest of your summer!