Spring has sprung, the days are staying light longer, and hopefully, the pandemic is finally behind us. Planning is underway for the Chapter WRX Conference in Virginia Beach, May 17-20. After two years of pandemic misery, WRX is back, live and in person, I look forward to seeing many of you again, in person. Registration is underway, and if you haven’t signed up, here is the link

Much has been happening in the Chapter. The Public Works Institute is continuing strong with a full session set to start March 22. This will be the start of our fourth cohort. For the PWI Alumni, there will be a social on Wednesday May 18, 2022 at the WRX Conference. The plan is to go back to in person PWI sessions this fall. Regional activity committees are planning events, and membership is growing - we are 987 members strong! I hope to see us break the 1,000 member threshold by the May conference.

As my tenure as President enters the last quarter, I am happy to report we are making progress on the three goals I set when I took office. First, creating branches and reaching out to bring more agencies into the fold. Secondly, improving Committees to provide events and educational opportunities, to share that collective body of knowledge. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, recruiting the youth into Public Service, providing options in Public Works that many do not know exist.

A subcommittee was formed at the November Board of Director’s meeting, and they are working on finalizing a Branch Formation Guide. This guide will provide step by step instructions for how a branch may be formed. If you are interested in forming a Branch please contact me. More information will be forthcoming.

We haven’t been as successful in reenergizing the committees as I would have liked by this point. However, we are working on it, and we have had some members step up to take positions as committee chairs. If you are interested in having a greater role in the Chapter or just giving back to the profession, please volunteer for a committee. It is not a large time commitment. We would like the committees to try and plan an activity once a year, provide content for the newsletter or host a session at the conference. Committees are listed on the web site with Points of Contact. If you wish to serve on a committee, please reach out to the chair of the Committee or myself, and we will make sure you are connected with the right people.

Recruitment is a topic near and dear to all of us. Many organizations have various levels of community outreach, career fairs, and talking with high school classes to make people aware of public service as a career option. One of the positive outcomes from the pandemic is work place flexibility. We have learned how to effectively work remotely, within limits. Providing flexibility in work place will be an important incentive for workers.

I want to thank the members of the chapter for their passion and enthusiasm for Public Works. You truly demonstrate the theme Stronger Together.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Virginia Beach, May 17-20, 2022.

Scott 

Scott A. Smith, President
APWA Mid-Atlantic Chapter