For the last year and a half, AguaClara Reach (ACR) has revised and refined our committee structure. The committee structure allows ACR to better engage our volunteers, employees, Board Members, and AguaClara researchers to accomplish our goals and fulfill our mission. As a volunteer-led organization, committees allow ACR to manage people and tasks efficiently to encourage collaboration, cooperation, and creativity.
ACR currently has nine committees, each with its own area of work to coordinate and track. Committee chairs support current and potential volunteers by connecting them to tasks and providing them with resources and guidance as they progress the work. The committees are introduced below to give insight into how ACR operates.
Any individual interested in joining the ACR Volunteers can learn more about what we do by reviewing the committee descriptions and finding areas of interest. ACR Volunteer Managers are available to discuss potential volunteer interests and strengths to find existing or new ways to participate. Volunteer Managers can be reached at volunteer@aguaclarareach.org.
Internal Operations
To operate as a non-profit and fulfill administrative needs, ACR has several committees focused on our internal operations: Finance & Personnel, Governance, Strategic Planning, and Volunteer Management.
Governance
Committee Chair: Alissa Diminich (ACR Board President)
The Governance Committee is responsible for managing the legal and administrative function of ACR. Currently, the group is working to update the ACR bylaws so they can better serve the purpose and intended operation of our organization. This includes determining the responsibilities of certain positions and establishing policies that allow us to function in a consistent and efficient manner. This committee also works on legal documents and establishes rules to help preserve the integrity of ACR.
Finance & Personnel
Committee Chair: Blixy Taetzsch (ACR Board Treasurer)
The Finance and Personnel Committee is responsible for managing ACR’s employees and finances. Activities include budgeting, financial statements, contracts, purchasing, banking and investments, hiring and personnel policies, insurance, tax, and legal matters. This committee provides guidance to other ACR committees as needed.
Strategic Planning
Committee Chair: Alissa Diminich (ACR Board President)
The Strategic Planning Committee is responsible for identifying the strategic plan of the organization. ACR typically revisits our strategy annually at the Strategic Planning Board Retreat, which is planned by this committee. This Retreat is critical to setting the annual goals for ACR, to revisit what we have achieved in the prior year and to prioritize our work moving forward to best demonstrate our values and mission. Developing a high level strategy allows ACR to evaluate which specific options align most directly with our mission, and allow us to prioritize efforts of volunteers and employees over the course of the following year.
Volunteer Management
Committee Chairs: Serena Takada (ACR Board Member) and Lois Lee (ACR Committee Chair)
The Volunteer Management Committee empowers ACR volunteers by connecting them to projects and tasks within ACR. The Volunteer Managers work to make sure that volunteers enjoy a fulfilling volunteer experience. Typical activities include onboarding new members and hosting social events to keep the widespread network of volunteers closely knit.
External Operations
ACR’s external committees focus on how ACR fulfills its mission and goals working with partners to share AguaClara Technology and complete projects.
Technology
Committee Chair: Monroe Weber-Shirk (ACR Board Member)
The Technology Committee is composed of AguaClara Technology experts. They are tasked with research publication through the AguaClara Textbook, creating and maintaining the next generation design tool (AguaClara Infrastructure Design Engine: AIDE), providing technical support to global implementation partners, internal design review, and reviewing plant performance data through the Plant Operator Smartphone Tracker (POST).
Projects
Committee Chair: Open for Application! If you are interested, please email zmaisel@aguaclarareach.org.
The Projects Committee works directly with ACR employees and implementation partners to provide training and designs of AguaClara technology. The committee is involved in all stages of project work, from initial development and feasibility reviews, through design, construction, and training. The committee also works on developing relationships with new project partners.
Research, Invent, Design, Empower (RIDE)
Committee Chair: Matthew Cimini (ACR Committee Chair)
The RIDE Committee exists to ensure the professionalism, accuracy, and accessibility of all official AguaClara research. By documenting and storing past research, helping organizations conduct current research, and determining the priority and content of future research, RIDE hopes to be involved with all aspects of the technology and knowledge development process.
Communications & Engagement
Committee Chair: Open for Application! If you are interested, please email zmaisel@aguaclarareach.org.
The Communications and Engagement Committee focuses on communicating AguaClara Reach’s story and mission with the public. This includes outreach to companies and alumni to provide updates on advancements within ACR. Currently, the committee is focusing on updating the website and building our social media presence. The committee is also developing a press package as a ready-to-use resource to share with companies and donors upon request for support.
Fundraising
Committee Chair: Subhani Katugampala (ACR Board Member)
The Fundraising Committee coordinates funding campaigns and donor outreach. This committee also develops grants and funding applications to help AguaClara Reach provide hydraulic designs for implementation partners, provide ongoing technical support through operation and maintenance, and continue research.