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In this issue:
AB Convention and Trade Show Information
AB AGM Notice
BC Convention and Trade Show Information
BC AGM Notice
COVID Rapid Test Information
Submit Your Article or Ad for Publication
Upcoming Training Events
Events Calendar
...and more!

24th Annual AOWMA Convention and Trade Show

The AOWMA is pleased to invite you to join us for our 24th Annual Convention and Trade Show taking place on February 15—17, 2022.

Due to the uncertainty regarding public health restrictions and live events or public gatherings, the AOWMA 2022 Convention Committee has determined to adjust the delivery of our 2022 Convention and Trade Show to a virtual delivery only.

While this will be disappointing for many, the hope is that most of those intending to participate will be willing to join the virtual program. Hopefully, when the Association celebrates its 25^th anniversary in 2023, there will be nothing standing in the way of a full-blown event.

In the meantime, we invite you to participate in the Virtual Convention and Trade Show. We have excellent speakers and topics to share as well as opportunities to discuss industry issues and concerns.

Meet the Speakers
View the Agenda
Register Now
Download an Exhibitor Brochure

Annual WCOWMA-BC Convention and Trade Show

The WCOWMA-BC Board of Directors invites you to join us as we ask the
question: Why Waste Water?

Those working in the onsite wastewater industry are recyclers of water. The acts of collecting, treating and dispersing wastewater back into the environment are extremely important both from an environmental and a fiscal standpoint. We invite you to join us as we continue to hone our skills and understanding of wastewater system planning, installing, maintaining and inspecting.

Two Ways to Attend-In-Person or Virtually!

The 2022 Convention and Trade Show is being delivered in a hybrid format.
The Convention begins on the morning of March 3, with a full day of educational presentations. Those attending in-person can join in with their fellow delegates. Choosing to participate virtually? Log-in and participate in the presentations and discussion.

Topics to be Presented:

Water Reuse and Reclamation
Flooding - Effects on Septic Systems
Soaps, Detergents and Other Chemicals and Their Impact
Tips and Tricks for Cold Weather Installation
Breaking Down the Soil Horizons to Determine Limiting and Restricting Conditions
Subsurface Drip Systems
The Provincial Governance Act
Plus more . . . .

Trade Show Information

The Trade Show portion of our event will take place on Friday, March 4th, during which our exhibitors and suppliers will provide technical sessions on their products and technologies. Visit the booths, talk to the vendors and attend their presentations to learn about products and technologies available to you. Each vendor will be provided with an in-person booth and a virtual booth. The virtual booths will be available for 24 hours/day throughout the event.

Book a Booth Online

Notice of 2022 AOWMA AGM

Thursday, February 17 @ 11:30 a.m.
Virtual Meeting

All AOWMA members in good standing are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting being held during the Convention and Trade Show on February 17, 2022. The AGM will be made available virtually to allow for maximum participation from the membership.

NOMINATIONS:
Nominations may be submitted in advance of the AGM or from the floor during the election portion of the meeting.

According to Bylaw Section 6.2.1, a nominee must be an active member who has been in good standing for at least two consecutive years. Nominees for the Executive Committee positions (President, Vice-President or Secretary/Treasurer) must have already served on the Board of Directors for one preceding year.

According to Bylaw Section 6.2.2, all nominations must be supported by a seconder and a third. This means that any nomination a member brings forward MUST be supported by two other members in good standing. There is no limit to the number of nominations that can be brought forward.

NOMINATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS:

Vice-President
Secretary-Treasurer
Director (3)

TERM OF OFFICE:
Those elected to the Board of Directors at the 2022 AGM will hold those positions for two years; term of office to complete in 2024.

REQUIREMENTS OF A BOARD MEMBER:
Generally, the Board operates as a governance entity, meaning that it sets high level strategic direction as opposed to having a direct hand in the day-to-day activities of the operation. Directors should be prepared to attend a minimum of one meeting every month, either in person in Red Deer or by video conference. Directors will also be expected to serve on one or more committees to provide more direct guidance regarding key association strategic objectives.

Board members are not paid, however reasonable expenses are reimbursed for travel and meals when attending Board meetings or other sanctioned association activities.

Notice of 2022 WCOWMA-BC AGM

Friday, March 4 @ 5:30pm
Clarion Hotel, 36035 North Parallel Road, Abbotsford, BC V3G 2C6

All WCOWMA-BC members in good standing are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting being held during the Convention and Trade Show on March 4, 2022 in Abbotsford, BC.

NOMINATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS:

Vice-President
Secretary-Treasurer
Directors (2)

NOMINATIONS PROCESS: Nominations may be submitted in advance of the AGM or from the floor during the election portion of the meeting. According to Bylaw Section 6.g, all nominees must be Corporate Members in good standing. A member whose membership fees are due and unpaid or otherwise owes money to the Association is not in good standing.

TERM OF OFFICE: Those elected to the Board of Directors at the 2022 AGM will hold those positions for two years; term of office to complete in 2024.

REQUIREMENTS OF A BOARD MEMBER: Generally, the Board operates as a governance entity, meaning that it sets high level strategic direction as opposed to having a direct hand in the day-to-day activities of the operation. Directors may also be asked to sit on various committees to provide more direct guidance regarding key association strategic objectives. Board Members are not paid, however, reasonable expenses are reimbursed for travel and meals when attending Board meetings or other sanctioned association business. The Board of Directors meets every eight weeks via video conference/conference call, as well as a minimum of twice annually face-to-face.

Accepting Articles and Ads for the Summer 2022 Onsite Informer

Did you know that there are plenty of opportunities to support your industry organization and promote your business? One such way is the Onsite Informer.

The association is sourcing articles for publication in our WCOWMA printed magazine, which includes information, news and events from each Western province.

Articles submitted may be on any topic relevant to our membership and stakeholder group, such as those related to wastewater, septage and the onsite wastewater industry. We can accommodate a wide range of article lengths from 200 to 500 words to 800 to 1,500 words for the magazine. The article should be research or case study based. Relevant pictures are welcome; a photo release may be required. Promotional articles or those that are heavily proprietorial are considered advertorial and are subject to advertising rates. These will be identified in the publications as advertorials.

WCOWMA's Onsite Informer magazine is widely distributed to our member installers, septage haulers, suppliers and other industry stakeholders. It is also sent to municipalities and provincial government departments in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Current distribution is over 5000 copies.

If you have any questions, or you'd like to contribute an article to the Summer issue, please contact Kelly for more information.

Media packages can be downloaded here.

DEADLINE: Please submit your ad and form by March 31st, 2022.

COVID-19 Rapid Testing and Screening in Workplaces

The Government of Canada, some provincial/territorial governments and distribution partners are providing free rapid COVID-19 tests to organizations. These tests are to be used for regular workplace screening of employees.

Businesses and not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply.

Please see their website for more information.

Join the WCOWMA Facebook Group

We've expanded beyond pages! Come join the group, chat with other people in the industry, and stay up-to-date with WCOWMA news.

Onsite Wastewater Practitioner Training

The Western Canada Onsite Wastewater Management Association provides an excellent industry training program for Onsite Wastewater Professionals throughout Western Canada.

This training program has been found to meet or exceed the requirements of the Agreement on Internal Trade, the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement, and the New West Partnership.

Training, including the number of days, varies by province. More details on each program can be found on the provincial training pages, or by contacting our office.

Students will be required to complete an online training component prior to attending the classroom sessions.

Courtenay, BC
OR
Virtual Classroom via Zoom
Days 1-5: April 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8, 2022
Days 6-9: April 19, 20, 21, & 22, 2022

Download a registration form, register online, or contact the association office at 1-855-872-2645 for more information.

Dates to be Announced

Ccontact the association office at 855-872-2650 for more information.

Virtual Classroom via Zoom

Days 1-4: March 15, 16, 17 and 18, 2022
Days 5-8: March 29, 30, 31 and April 1, 2022

Download a registration form, register online, or contact the association office at 877-489-7471 for more information.

Manitoba students are being directed to Alberta or Saskatchewan for participation in their training programs at this time.

Contact the association office at 855-872-2659 for more information.

Provincial/Federal Job Grants Continue to be Available for Training

The Provincial associations have all been receiving training applicants who are being funded by the various federal/provincial job grants that are currently available.

Funding varies between the provinces, but can be upwards of $10,000 per applicant. Employers may have to pay a portion of the tuition and training must involve more than 24 hours of contact/study.

For more information on the job grants in your province, click on the appropriate link below:

Alberta
https://www.alberta.ca/canada-alberta-job-grant.aspx

British Columbia
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/economic-development/funding-and-grants/bc-employer-training-grant

Manitoba
https://www.gov.mb.ca/wd/ites/is/pubs/cjg_employer_factsheet.pdf

Saskatchewan
https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/hire-train-and-manage-employees/apply-for-the-canada-saskatchewan-job-grant

Upcoming Industry Events

You can keep up-to-date on industry events on our events pages:

Alberta
British Columbia
Saskatchewan
Manitoba

AOWMA Convention & Trade Show
February 15—17, 2022

AOWMA AGM
February 17, 2022

WWETT Show
February 21—24, 2022
Indianapolis, IN

WCOWMA-BC Convention & Trade Show
March 3—5, 2022

WCOWMA-BC AGM
Abbotsford, BC
March 4, 2022

World Water Day
March 22, 2022
Online

BCWWA'S 50th Annual Conference & Trade Show
May 15 - 17, 2022
Victoria, BC

Find us on Facebook

Stay up-to-date on industry news, learn about our latest training sessions, and check out photos of some of our events all on our Facebook pages!

AOWMA Facebook page
WCOWMA-BC Facebook page
SOWMA Facebook page
MOWMA Facebook page
WCOWMA Facebook page