Page 20 - March-April25 Vol42 No7

NATIONAL
APWA Chapter Leadership Training

APWA hosted the Chapter Leadership policy priorities in the U.S. and how This led into the final session of the
Training and Council of Chapters the APWA Government Affairs team day which dealt with Education and
Meeting on February 5-6, 2025. works with the U.S. Congress and Credentialing resources to support
Representing the Tennessee Chapter, federal agencies on behalf of APWA’s members’ public works career journeys.
Scott Jenkins, Knoxville Fleet Services membership. They also learned about The Training Event wrapped up
and Upper East TN Branch Director, APWA advocacy resources and how with lunch before attendees went their
and Casin Swann, PRI and Middle TN Chapters, via their local voices, can play a separate ways. Vic Biances, APWA
Branch Director, traveled to Kansas City, role in advocacy. President-Elect, challenged the attendees
Missouri, for the two-day meeting. The following session focused on to consider their takeaways. What do you
This meeting offered an opportunity how to leverage APWA Committees know now that you didn’t know before?
for new Chapter leaders to immerse for chapter committee collaboration, What will you do with this knowledge to
themselves in all things APWA. They identifying local subject matter experts help your Chapter members and future
were greeted on day one by Dominick and implementing existing resources. Chapter members?
Longobardi, APWA President and
Scott Grayson, APWA CEO. Following
their welcome, attendees entered the Personal Perspective on Value of Leadership Training
General Session led by Brian Tenclinger By Scott Jenkins
who acknowledged that leaders face
challenges, suggested ways to address Earlier this year, it was my privilege to attend the 2025 Chapter Leadership Training
them and move forward to leave a lasting in Kansas City. We had the opportunity to hear from numerous APWA professionals on
leadership legacy. a multitude of informative subjects.
Attendees were next introduced to I found solid value in attending the APWA YP Committee’s discussion on the
APWA.org 101 and Chapter Leader organizations’ growth, goals, and initiatives, which included examples of these types
Resources. This was an opportunity of programs within some individual chapters. Meaningful events and educational
to learn about resources offered at the opportunities are taking place across the nation, giving YPs the chance to expand their
national level and how to access them. professional networking.
Membership was a hot topic focusing Nationwide, many chapters’ YP committees are leading the way in community
on creating an outstanding, positive outreach by organizing different cleanup events or other volunteer efforts. I previously
member engagement experience. The was unaware of all that takes place at the national APWA level, including its efforts in
focus of this session was learning to keeping the organization at the Public Works forefront all across the country.
create a membership recruitment plan; Various other topics were covered during the training sessions. For example, the
building a welcoming environment Government Affairs group showed us how they work to make our voices known in
for new members and encouraging Washington. Another session outlined the best insurance practices to have in place
existing members to renew. Next, the when we host events.
general membership topic was drilled However, it wasn’t all serious conversations. Throughout the event, we were provided
down to a focus on Young Professionals: great meals, with plenty of time to network and mingle with our APWA peers.
recognizing their impact on the At an evening event, the College Basketball Experience gave us an opportunity to
Chapters; promoting membership to look back at the sport’s history. Many games and drills were set up throughout the
them; and expanding the Chapter’s YP venue, providing us with some fun competition.
network. Overall, the Kansas City training was great, and it was my pleasure to serve our
The final session of the day was actually chapter in participating.
six different 15-minute “speed sessions”
addressing APWA’s strategic goals: Value,
Voice, Education and Credentialing, and
Membership and Chapters.
The day concluded with the Social
at The College Basketball Experience.
According to Jenkins, a great time
was had by all, and it was a terrific
opportunity to meet counterparts from
Chapters across the country.
Day two featured a session on
Advocacy during which attendees
learned about APWA’s national public

20 TPW March/April 2025