ASSOCIATE MEMBER EXPLAINED: “Anyone with an interest in the activities of the Partnership can register as an Associate Member to receive the Waterbucket eNews newsletter. However, there is no voting privilege associated with this category,” states Peter Law, Associate Members Chair
Operating Principle: Inclusivity
Incorporated as a not-for-profit society in November 2010, the Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia is the hub for a “convening for action network” in the local government setting – this encompasses both the government and stewardship sectors. The Partnership purposes are three-fold:
- To promote and advance protection and management of natural and engineered water resources.
- To provide educational, research, and technical services and tools for practitioners involved in water resources functions.
- To foster integrated protection and management strategies through practitioner expertise.
The funnel graphic (above) illustrates conceptually the opportunity for those who are keen and leading change in British Columbia to gravitate, over time, to a leadership position within the Partnership.
Associate Membership
“Keeping in mind the Board’s desire for inclusivity as an operating principle, our policy is that any individual with an interest in green infrastructure and/or water sustainability can become an Associate Member of the Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia. However, there is no voting privilege associated with this category,” states Peter Law, Director and Membership Chair.
“To become an Associate Member, all an individual need do is go to the top-right corner of any page on the waterbucket.ca website and follow the instructions to receive the weekly Waterbucket News. This will keep them informed of the Partnership’s activities and initiatives.
“In the spirit of sharing and spreading the lessons learned by those who are leading change, members who are registered in the non-voting Associate category have our permission to make use of information resources and guidance documents published by the Partnership. Currently, almost 2500 individuals receive the Partnership’s weekly Waterbucket News. All we ask in return is that the source of these resources be acknowledged by those who use them.
“From the Board’s perspective, granting free Associate membership in the Partnership would promote broader awareness of the Partnership’s vision and mission. We anticipate that this inclusive approach would also foster a sense of belonging on the part of those many British Columbians who benefit from the Partnership’s outreach and training activities.”
Filling the “Expertise Vacuum”
“In these changing and challenging times when every level of government is expected to do more with the same resources, the Partnership for Water Sustainability is benefitting from the hands-on involvement of a pool of experienced practitioners who volunteer and contribute their knowledge. By drawing on the wisdom of retired career civil servants, the Partnership is also helping to fill the expertise vacuum left by demographic change and loss of organizational capacity,” states Mike Tanner, Director and Waterbucket Chair.
“This approach to doing business differently is creating opportunities for experienced professionals to mentor the next generation of land use and water resource practitioners. There is no reason to re-invent the wheel when knowledge and learning can be shared.”
To Learn More:
The Partnership has prepared a short-form document that addresses these questions:
- Why was our Partnership formed?
- What is our vision?
- What is our mission?
- What are the specific challenges that the Partnership is addressing?
- Who will benefit?
- What methods will the Partnership use to alleviate/solve these challenges/issues?
- What is our track record of accomplishments?
- What are our qualifications to solve these challenges?
For a set of responses to these questions, click on OUR STORY to download a copy of the synopsis document.
