August 1, 2022
Hello! In addition to providing top-quality hands-on (and virtual!) education for our membership through the year, we’re equally excited to share information about an additional benefit for the onsite community.
Creating a climate in which small businesses can thrive and where professionalism and credentialing is valued are big goals for the Indiana Onsite Wastewater Professionals Association.
As such, we recently created a partnership with the Sycamore Group and Adam Kallick to assist IOWPA in navigating public affairs and advocacy on behalf of our membership and the industry. Adam has been retained by IOWPA to help promote our organization, ascertain information that could impact our membership pertaining to legislation and governmental relations, assist us in navigating and working toward a state licensure program for septic installers and inspectors, and broaden our horizons and partnerships with legislators and other like-minded professional organizations in Indiana.
The IOWPA Board of Directors and our Legislative Committee will work closely with Adam over the next several months to earn a seat at the table where discussions and decisions are taking place that affect our important industry – both for our professional members and health department representatives. Since his retention earlier this spring, we’ve already been able to expand relationships with State legislators, share the purpose and vision for IOWPA with them and secure meetings with key members of the legislature, the Indiana Department of Health and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
We’re having conversations about the recent changes that came with House Bill 1245, discussing the pursuit of statewide licensing, the use of Aerobic Treatment Units (ATUs), challenges with shrink-swell clay soils, and legislation specific to our industry. Our common goal is to allow us an opportunity to have our voices heard legislatively and broaden the general knowledge of our organization and our industry to the general public and community and state leaders. We’re thrilled to have the Sycamore Group as an extension of our team to better serve you and allow our voices to be heard.
If you’re interested in learning more about involvement in the legislative committee or in sharing experiences or feedback that would be valuable in these efforts, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at indianaonsitewastewater@gmail.com. We look forward to continuing this important work to elevate the work that you do for families and communities across the State.
Julia Whitson
Executive Director
Indiana Onsite Wastewater Professionals Association