Dec
9th
Dear EWB-USA Chapters with projects in Honduras,
After careful consideration, EWB-USA has made the decision to lift the travel hold for programs in Honduras . We strongly encourage chapters planning travel to Honduras to carefully monitor the situation in Honduras via the International SOS and Department of State websites.
Additionally, we advise chapters to call International SOS before traveling to Honduras for an updated analysis. After speaking with ISOS, we recommend that each chapter does their own travel security and safety analysis. Chapters should also ensure they have adequate and complete travel insurance coverage.
ISOS Phone: 1-215-942-8226
EWB-USA ISOS Member Number: 11BCPA000270
We will continue to monitor the International SOS and Department of State travel and security advice and we will make any future decisions regarding travel holds based on these resources.
If your chapter is planning to travel to Honduras in the next month, please contact me immediately, so that we can process the approval.
Please read the following information from ISOS: 
Nov
1st
The workshop was a resounding success. We’ll update this post as we get trip reports in from attnedees. If you would like to share your experience send me an email and we’ll get it added in.
We have the presentation from EWB-USA on the Program Process available now.
2009 workshop PM presentation
Aug
15th
The Northern Arizona University Chapter of EWB-USA would like to invite you to attend the 2009 Mountain Regional Workshop in Flagstaff, AZ, October 16-18, 2009. Register today at http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=763017 to get the early bird discount. Today is also the last day to reserve discounted hotel rooms by calling Quality Inn at 928-774-8771 and asking for the Engineers Without Borders rate for the 16th and 17th.
Event Details
Dates – October 16 – 18, 2009
Location – Flagstaff, AZ
Host chapter – Northern Arizona University
Aug
15th
Members of the EWB-Colorado Springs Professionals chapter and the EWB-Air Force Academy Student chapter traveled to Suncallo, Bolivia in late May of 2009 to complete an assessment of the community with support from Bolivia-based members of Engineers In Action (EIA). The assessment trip was the first stage of a planned aqueduct system for drinking water, irrigation, and sanitation for the Suncallo community. The community’s heritage is Aymara Indian: they are the descendants of the ancient Inca Empire.
Suncallo is located 16 kilometers east of the town of Escoma and the eastern edge of Lake Titicaca in the Bolivian Altiplano, a flat region that lies between the eastern and western cordilleras of the vast Andes mountain chain. The community sits in rugged, mountainous terrain at 4000 meters and is spread out about 1.6 kilometers along the hillside.
Travel to the site was delayed by unexpected airline requirements, road blockades, poor road conditions, and steep terrain, but with resourcefulness, teamwork, and community support, the EWB teams finally reached Suncallo.
During the initial meeting between EWB team members and Suncallo community leaders, it was determined that the community’s top priorities were to improve sanitation and to increase the capacity of the present drinking water system in order to provide service to the entire community. There is presently only a small pit latrine inside a small brick building located near the school. The latrine has four stalls with a hole in the concrete floor and two showers. Obviously, this single sanitation facility is inadequate for a community of 55 families.
On the following days, the EWB teams traversed the surrounding slopes, guided by community leaders. The teams walked their proposed route of the new pipeline/aqueduct system, taking GPS coordinate data along the proposed pipeline transect. EWB members carefully examined the three main spring-fed water sources, took water samples, measured intake flow rates at the two springs with existing PVC inflow pipelines, and examined the existing condition of the PVC pipeline and its structural support across wide ravines. Teams also installed a weir and measured stream flows along the valley floor. The water samples indicate that the springs have good water quality, with high mineral content and only slightly elevated pH levels. Agriculture and irrigation techniques were also documented with soil samples collected and analyzed.
Aside from collecting engineering data to help define priorities and community needs, the assessment trip also accomplished another important goal: to establish a respectful relationship with the community. The public festival in honor of the “Ingenieros” also helped build a sense of friendship and fellowship.
A tentative second assessment trip, and possibly a partial implementation trip, is under discussion for the October 2009 timeframe. In the meantime, all of the teams involved in the assessment trip will be reviewing collected data, discussing lessons learned, examining solutions for the community’s drinking water and sanitation needs, and researching and testing improved infrastructure designs.
Apr
16th
I would like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the volunteers who make up the Mountain Region Executive Committee and to describe the function of the EWB-USA Mountain Regional Steering Committee.
Geographical Regions have been formed in EWB-USA to facilitate communication, networking and resource-sharing between chapters. The Region aims to support both new and established chapters with resources, events, fundraising, and other chapter-specific goals. The West Coast was the first Region to establish in the United States and currently has a Steering Committee that consists of an Executive Committee and State Representatives from each state in the Region. The East Coast Region and South East Region were not far behind. Now, the Mountain Region, along with the Mid West Region, Great Lakes Region, and South Central Region, are beginning to establish Executive Committees and State Representatives. These positions are filled by volunteer members who are committed to taking leadership roles within EWB-USA.
I am happy to introduce to you the Mountain Region Executive Committee:
WHO FORMS THIS COMMITTEE?
The Mountain Region Steering Committee consists of the Executive Committee and State Representatives.
Executive Committee members (and their affiliated chapter) include:
o President – Nick Labadie (Founder and President of the Phoenix Professionals)
o Vice President – Nikole Fales (Member of the Phoenix Professionals)
o Secretary – Matt Grimes (Founder and President of the Colorado Springs Professionals)
o Treasurer – Hannah Dustin (Board Member of the Montana State University)
o President Ex-Officio – Chris Fahlin (President of the Denver Professional)
o Chapter Relations Manager (CRM) – Colleen O’Holleran (EWB-USA National Office)
States in the Mountain Region:
Arizona Idaho Wyoming
Colorado Montana
New Mexico Utah
It is the role of the State Representatives to communicate with the Professional and Student chapters in the state. In some Regions, this is done through monthly calls with Chapter Presidents, hosted by the State Rep. State Reps are generally informed of each chapter’s activities, including current and potential projects as well as fundraising efforts. State Reps act as liaisons between EWB-USA and members. In addition to communication, State Reps also help chapters network and link efforts in regard to fundraising and PR. We currently are looking for State Reps from Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho, and Utah. If you are interested, please contact me.
WHY DO WE NEED A REGIONAL COMMITTEE?
EWB-USA has more than 12,000 members. Members taking leadership roles in the Region are committed to increased communication between chapters and National. They also are participating in efforts to:
Have a “pulse check” on what’s happening with other chapters in the Region
Help coordinate multi-chapter/project fundraising efforts
Increase communication among chapters
Collaborate on projects (for example, linking appropriate professional mentors with student groups)
Plan Regional Workshops and other trainings
Assist developing chapters
Share resources such as water testing kits and satellite phones
Please let me know if you have any questions about the Mountain Region or EWB-USA Regions in general. On behalf of the Mountain Region Steering Committee, we look forward to working with you in this new capacity.
Best Regards,
Colleen
Colleen O’Holleran
EWB-USA Chapter Relations Manager, Mountain Region
