Implementing a new organizational structure for EIA-NSWMA-WASTEC.

March 6, 2013

3 Min Read
EIA: Considered Change

By Sharon Kneiss, EIA President & CEO

The member and staff leadership of the Environmental Industry Associations (EIA) continues to implement the organizational changes identified as part of its 2012 strategic planning process. This process is intended to set a strong direction for the association, establish greater member value and improve the industry image.

Among the top implementation priorities identified through this process, EIA’s member leaders have concentrated on changing the EIA governance structure in order to better serve members and eliminate confusion with our brand. Because of these efforts, in late 2013, EIA and EIA’s sub-associations – the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) and the Waste Equipment Technology Association (WASTEC) – all will be merged into one group with a single name and membership that includes haulers, disposal companies and recyclers, as well as suppliers and service providers.

To facilitate this merger following three months of significant discussion, a workgroup of the EIA Board of Trustees and its strategic plan committee have proposed a new board structure for the consolidated EIA, NSWMA and WASTEC. The plan is for a transitional board to remain in place for two years once the single organization is officially formed. This board would be charged with constructing its successor board and with developing a dues structure for the single organization.

The proposal for the transition board suggests balanced representation, seeks out participation by independent companies and ensures that suppliers are adequately represented. The group intends its representatives to reflect the breadth and scope of the organization (hauling, recycling, suppliers, as well as geographic diversity). The proposal recommends that the entire organization be more member-led, with a committee structure where members can interact with the board. These committees will serve as the pipeline for Board membership.

To this end, the EIA Board of Trustees is asking the NSWMA and WASTEC Boards of Governors (BOGs) to develop this Board Committee structure. They have recommended that NSWMA and WASTEC leaders consider the following as potential committees: Finance, Communications, Membership, Chapter Operations, Government Affairs/Policy, Education/Certification, Statistics, Standards, Technical/Environmental Management, Safety, Statistics and Standards. EIA staff members have been asked to conduct an analysis of resources (including financial and administrative support) necessary to effectively manage each committee.

We are asking the BOGs to define the areas of responsibilities for each committee, as well as to develop a broad construct for how the committee/ subcommittee/task force structure should operate. The BOGs also are being asked to recommend how the committees will report to and interact with the Board of Trustees.

EIA hosted webinars in March for EIA, NSWMA and WASTEC chapter chairs, council and institute chairs as well as for all association members to detail these plans and answer questions. We plan to make recordings of these sessions available on the members-only area of the NSWMA and WASTEC websites.

NSWMA and WASTEC members, who are interested in this process and want to influence the plans for the new industry association that will represent all things waste and recycling, should get involved. Now is the chance to make your voice heard, as these plans are being finalized and implemented.

Individuals who currently are not NSWMA or WASTEC members should join. Our association is aggressively working not only to reorganize itself, but also to launch new member programs and member services. If your company is in the solid waste and recycling industry, you should be a member of this new group.

If you have any questions or thoughts about the board structure or our plans to build support for the approach, please contact EIA’s President and CEO Sharon Kneiss at [email protected].

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