Page 24 - Nov/Dec 2020 Vol 38 No 5

HISTORY AND MEMBERSHIP
American Public Works Association
From the very beginning, the American Public Works
Association has had the diversity that characterizes
it today. APWA is the result of the merger of two
predecessor organizations, the American Society of
Municipal Engineers (AME), which was formed in
1894, and the International Association of Public Works
Officials (IAPWO), primarily comprised of non-engineers
who were engaged in public works management and
service delivery. The majority of the Society’s members
were consultants, design engineers, construction
supervisors, and water works directors.
Recognizing that other associations had established
headquarters in Chicago and had obtained financial
assistance in developing their programs to become self-
sufficient, in 1934, AME and IAPWO agreed to work
toward a joint organization. After creating a very successful •
Joint Public Works Congress where the two organizations
could meet together, AME and IAPWO decided to
merge. Funding was secured, and on January 1, 1937, the
American Public Works Association was formed.
APWA has witnessed extensive growth,
accomplishment, turmoil and transition. It has been a
strong leader in many areas, including education, history
and research, to name only a few. Over the years APWA
has conducted scores of research projects and published
many research reports that were regarded as significant
contributions to the field of public works.
Special interest groups within public works were
accommodated through the development of the Institutes
for Professional Development (now known as technical
committees), as well as through the introduction of
specialty conferences such as the North American Snow
Conference. Other special groups of note included
the Council on Emergency Management, the Council
on Equal Opportunity (now the diversity committee),
the Public Works Historical Society, MicroPAVER,
Management Practices and the Management Practices
Accreditation Council.
In addition to the strength of its eight Canadian
chapters, APWA has demonstrated its commitment
to international linkages through the continual
strengthening of relationships with public works officials
in Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Finland, Sweden,
Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and the Czech and Slovak
Republic.
Motivated by the wish to upgrade office facilities and
make visible and substantial changes in the organization,
APWA headquarters was relocated to Kansas City in
1993. As public works services become more complex and
the skills required to deliver them become more diverse,
APWA continues to position itself to respond to these
changes and the needs they identify. Building on our
tradition of service to the public works profession, we will
meet the challenges of being THE comprehensive public
works resource in the 21st Century.
24 TPW November/December 2020
Information from APWA website
Who May Join?
Membership in the association is open to anyone with an interest in public
works.
Why Join? With APWA you can:
• Share common goals, challenges, and solutions with other public works
professionals throughout North America
• Participate in local chapter and branch programs, meetings and social
activities – often at reduced pricing compared to non-member rates.
Membership in your local chapter is automatically included with national
membership (additional chapter and/or branch dues apply in some areas).
• Gain exposure to more than 30,000 public works professionals, opening up
opportunities for your future
• Tap into the experience of other members with practical resources
Promote professional excellence
• Save money on the best education and training programs in public works,
covering all public works disciplines and management topics with ability
to receive CEUs and PDHs
• Save money on publications and resources on all the subjects you need
• Receive alerts on hot topics in public works, including important issues in
Washington, D.C. and Ottawa that affect you and your community
• Utilize your right to vote and hold office at the local or national level of the
association
Practical Resources
• Free subscription to as many infoNOW electronic networking communities as
fit your interests
• Free subscription to the APWA Reporter for duration of membership. This is a
monthly, members only, magazine available in hard-copy or online.
• Free access to the Members’ Library - an online collection of resources and
educational programs
• Free registrations for live Click, Listen & Learn programs
• Books, videos, training manuals, and recorded programs on management,
transportation, equipment services, snow removal, construction, water
resources, solid waste, sustainability, public outreach tools, and more - with
reduced pricing for members
• Member savings of up to 42% on registration for:
- PWX (formerly known as International Public Works Congress & Exposition-
“Best Show in Public Works”)
- North American Snow Conference
- Most nationally-sponsored workshops and e-learning programs. Visit the
APWA Calendar for complete schedule.
- Many local chapter and/or branch meetings and events.
• Opportunity to earn and track your Continuing Education Units (CEUs/PDHs)
• Free subscription to the APWA Washington Report weekly e-newsletter or
CPWA Ottawa Report bi-weekly e-newsletter
• Stay up-to-date on APWA programs and activities with access to our
quarterly members-only publication, the APWA Advantage newsletter
• Opportunity to participate in local or national public outreach activities
including support of National Public Works Week, the MATHCOUNTS program,
National Engineers Week, APWA Proud to Care program, or local chapter and/
or branch events
Credentialing Programs
• Earn professional certification credentials for yourself
• Take your agency/organization to the next level of performance by
completing the Accreditation process