Committee Information

Committee Operations

We are involved in EWRI and its committee structure because we see value in what the institute is doing and the opportunities it provides for personal development. We want to help advance and serve the profession by helping EWRI produce products and services including publications, reports, conferences, and continuing education seminars. Most of our work is accomplished through committee activities where we work as a team.

Conducting Useful and Productive Meetings

• Send out an agenda well before the meeting and ask for comments & additions
• As chair, communicate your vision of what the committee is all about.
• Stick to one topic at a time and avoid tangents.
• Use time well; limit time any one person can speak
• Be open, candid and honest; it saves time and builds trust
• Listen carefully; hear from everyone; keep an open mind
• Avoid sidebar conversations and other interruptions
• When brainstorming, avoid criticizing ideas.
• Expect disagreement; focus on issues rather than personalities.
• Don't railroad decisions; strive for win/win for all participants.
• Keep a visible record of group agreements on a flip chart.
• When important unrelated topics arise, "park" them for later.
• Toward the end, list any "next steps," including assignments
• Document the meeting with minutes and send to EWRI staff, Council, and ExCom

Teleconferences

• Consider quarterly conference calls to build team spirit on the committee
• Ask committee members by fax, e-mail or call for available time blocks.
• Let EWRI staff set up the call
• Send out by e-mail the time, date, objectives, and agenda prior to the call
• Have a recorder identified before the call
• Chair needs to keep call moving and frequently refocusing on agenda
• Establish "next steps" - review assignments at end of call

Team Effort

• All EWRI members are an important resource - Seek their ideas, opinions, & involvement
• Our committees should be "teams" where all members of the team participate
• EWRI staff often overloaded and underutilized
• Chairs should get to know EWRI staff and effectively use them as part of the team

EWRI Staff

• Budgeter - Manages budgets and prepares future year's budget
• Expediter - Moves priority items through EWRI/ASCE bureaucracy
• Explainer - Answers questions related to EWRI policy
• Facilitator - Makes sure committee has information it needs
• Educator - Helps in committee meeting conduct and info on EWRI/ASCE resources
• Meeting/Phone Consultant - Helps set up meetings and calls
• Administrative Duties:
  • Meeting Authorization Letters
  • Reimbursements
  • Publicity
  • Financial and membership data

Technical Committee Draft Agenda