CWEA Wastewater Professional :: April 2014 March 2014 Volume 2 | Page 4

From the President
2

O

ne important contributor to a strong or-

are already juggling family duties at home and your

ganization is its culture. But what makes

day job too, and deeply rewarding. As I wound

a strong culture? Is it one that has

around (and around, and around) the state I was

uniform rules, practices, policies, and procedures?

struck by how similar each of the 17 local sections

Does the strong organization march through every

are, and yet how unique they have become. My

task in lock-step synchronization,

journey through the state was a

wearing matching khaki pants and

fascinating one indeed.

navy polo shirts, while humming

Each local section has similar

the company credo in perfect uni-

bylaws, and are governed by a sim-

son? Or is it the other side of the

ilar Board structure. As I attended

spectrum? A lively and creative cul-

each banquet I saw many more

ture where every member is free

similarities. An uncommon dedica-

to be unique, wear what they want,

tion to delivering quality training

think what they want, and do what

and education to water environ-

they want? In my experience I have

ment professionals was the thread

found that the answer lies some-

Christoph Dobson

where in the middle; a strong core

that bound them all together, and
it was present everywhere I went.

of uniform policies and practices combined with

Even the banquet agendas were very similar: some

the freedom to be creative and innovative. This is

words from dignitaries, awards and recognition, the

not an easy balance to strike, but I have discovered,

officer installation, and to wrap up the evening, the

in my journey through my Presidential year, that

hugely po