AWWA Section Services provides sections with content for their publications. These articles contain brand new information and will cover a variety of topics.
AWWA Minnesota Section Wins 2020 Section Education Award Section wins for its water utilities treatment and technology education program Pandemic and Pancakes! What a unique set of word choices. It certainly was unique back in March 2020, but today? Not so much! March 2020 is when the world began to turn upside down with the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the cancellation of several annual workshops and schools (i.e., collections/ treatment and local Minnesota district water operator schools), a gap in information sharing was identified. Approximately 400 to 500 utility professionals lost the opportunity to learn about important water and wastewater initiatives, case studies, new products,
and legislative updates. They also lost the opportunity to “connect” and remain engaged with their peers during this time of social distancing.
Webinar Created Several members of the AWWA Minnesota Section got together to discuss the consequences of these cancellations, and an idea was formed: design and host a series of live webinars that would provide a brief (30 minutes), topical, and informative forum for members to remain connected with each other. The webinar series was titled “Virtual
The first Virtual Water Break announcement.
24 November 2020 • Florida Water Resources Journal
Water Break” (VWB). The hope was to have an experience similar to meeting someone at the workplace water cooler for conversation. The inaugural VWB was called “Pandemic and Pancakes!” The content focused on communicating during a pandemic. The webinar showcased a variety of communication tools, such as Zoom, Webex and GoToMeeting. Most city staff had very limited experience with these and many other computer peripherals, such as web cameras and microphones. For many, this was their first opportunity to telework. There had been very little time for users to learn which tool to use, how to use it, and how to configure it. This first webinar was focused on helping people with those needs. Each VWB uses a live poll question to engage members, and we’ve tried to have a discussion question or topic each time to get attendees to talk to us and share their input, ideas, and concerns. Why “pancakes”? To reach as many members as possible, understanding the member’s very hectic work schedule (due to COVID-19 changes and precautionary adjustments being made in the workplace), the VWBs were scheduled early in the morning to be as convenient as possible. In addition, the section decided to make them free to everyone. The VWB series kicked off with more than 90 attendees and was well-received. As of August 1, twelve VWBs have been offered. Several more were scheduled, leading up to the section’s virtual annual conference, which took place in September. The weekly VWB attendance has remained consistently high since March. The topics have focused on COVID-19 and have included Michigan Department of Health updates, COVID-19 and tap water, project design and bidding in COVID-19
