Our goal is to promote the value of membership in AWWA/OWWA, leading to continued Section growth.

What We Do

The Diversity and Member Engagement Committee (DMEC) is dedicated to empowering diversity and inclusion across the OWWA membership by creating opportunity and cultivating belonging so ALL can thrive ; acting in a way that is equitable, sustainable, and intentional.

Our key areas of focus:

• Member engagement and development (Membership recruitment, retention, etc.)
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Knowledge Creation and Exchange
• Organizational Stewardship (succession planning, leading DEI awareness, etc.)

By creating a platform for DEI discovery, learning, and conversation, we envision that we can further ingrain DEI as a cultural norm within the OWWA community, while celebrating members and working to improve member services and retention.

Our Activities

• Leading efforts to celebrate diversity, increase inclusion, self-advocacy, and sense of belonging for OWWA members (Member Spotlights, Annual DEI Award, OWWA Conference Inclusion Events, etc.)
• Increasing awareness, education, engagement, and courageous conversations within the membership on a wide variety of DEI topics (DMEC Cafes, Networking Events, etc.)
• Promoting the value of membership in AWWA/OWWA, leading to continued Section growth
• Sharing resources with other OWWA Committees

Our Meetings

The DMEC meets via virtual/ hybrid in-person meetings at a minimum of eight times per year, beginning in January (excluding July and August).

We are currently recruiting volunteers! Please submit an application here: 2024 OWWA Committee Volunteer Application Survey (surveymonkey.com)