Oct
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Reflections on a Year as AWRA President
October 8, 2008 | Posted by smcclung
6 Comments
Jane Rowan – President, AWRA
The crisp autumn breeze wafting through my window along with the sound of Canada Geese and the glow of fall colors remind me that my year as president is quickly coming to an end. My visits with AWRA members at our various specialty conferences and state section meetings have impressed me, not only by the impressive number of attendees but also by the quality of the people, their professional expertise, and their unrelenting dedication to the serious study and wise management of our Nation’s, and the world’s water resources.
Some may say that membership in associations is on the wane, but the view from the AWRA presidency reveals that interest could not be keener — or the need greater — for an organization like AWRA to unite and focus water resources professionals. Our commitment to communicate the interdisciplinary science, engineering technology and policy needs and application to our federal, state, and local governments separates us from most organizations. It also makes a difference in the world. Our government of the people, by the people, and for the people, has been surprisingly responsive to our interest in partnering with them towards the goal of forming a national water vision, communicating and improving on the practice of the science and engineering of water resources, and involving all levels of government to achieve common goals.
I cannot express more emphatically the need to continue the efforts of this great organization, to support it as a member, to give to its various endowments, scholarship, and award funds, to support its outreach to students, federal, state and local governments, and continue to attend the various conferences, and invest in AWRA’s dynamic staff. When you receive your renewal notice, renew right away. It’s important. If AWRA does not make the effort to both enhance the multidisciplinary study of water resources, and communicate the results of these applied studies into the future when the need will be even greater, then who will?
I would like to thank the multiple state sections who honored me by inviting me to their meetings (all of them fun and intellectually stimulating!) to speak and attend, as well as those who participated in the AWRA blog, or sent me emails about various water related subjects, and the fabulous editors and staff of AWRA who produce our highly respected publications and run the organization seamlessly and who are in great part responsible for enhancing AWRA’s stance in the water world. But my greatest sense of gratitude goes to the cadre of scientists, engineers, government staff, policymakers, attorneys and professors, including national and state section boards, authors and editors in JAWRA and IMPACT, and conference planning committees for every unrelenting, passionate, heroic, and many VOLUNTEER hours in the pursuit of AWRA’s mission: advancing multidisciplinary water resources education, management and research. And finally, I would like to thank Gerry Galloway whose phenomenal leadership taught and motivated me with his enthusiastic, sacrificial and unrelenting dedication to communicating wise water resources management, and for his sense of duty and dedication to his country.
My virtual hat goes off to you all, and I thank you for your support for me over this past year. Please extend the same hand of partnership to Gerry Sehlke as his year at the helm winds up. We look forward to yet one more opportunity to engage you in your favorite water related conversation this November in New Orleans! I am eager to meet you! God bless!
Jane O. Rowan
The Bioengineering Group
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Oh Jane, my goodness, why did you have to end your heartfelt message with “God bless”? While I understand this to be a nice sentiment, I also think such statements are inappropriate for a professional and multicultural venue. Not all of us are Christians, and those of us who are don’t necessarily use language like this to express ourselves. Besides, it sounds too much like “God bless America”, which has become a politico-religiously loaded expression.
Also, you tossing in the “our government of the people, by the people, and for the people” phrase and commenting about someone’s “sense of duty and dedication to his country” sounds right on the brink of nationalistic propaganda. I’m all for the original principles of the US, but given today’s political situation and extreme controversy about the directions the US has taken in the past few years, it seems to me to be unwise to put statements into your essay that even hint of support for one side of this polarization.
I say it is better to leave religious and political expressions completely out of our professional communications. Just a friendly suggestion …
Jane,
Great message. I wouldn’t change a thing. I appreciate the blessing offered and find nothing politically offensive in the content of the message.
Hi Jane,
I also think this is a great message from you. I also wouldn’t change a thing. I actually feel that the original message is now unfortunately getting into “political correctness” and shouldn’t even be entered into this discussion. Thanks for all your hard work and “God bless” to you too! Steve
Hi, Jane.
I have enjoyed working with you over the past year. I look forward to your continuing service on the Board. Your wisdom and hard work inspire us all. Thank you!
God bless you, too!
Thanks folks for sharing your support. I am truly grateful that both David and I can share our thoughts and feelings, and yes, even what may be considered “religous” expressions of kindness and goodwill without fear of ridicule or repurcussion. Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing that I for one often take for granted!
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