FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK
Chapter 20 President: Ben Barker, SR/WA, RW-RAC, RW-NAC
Greetings Chapter 20 Members,
I hope everyone is enjoying the fall season. Fall is a very busy time for IRWA Chapter 20.
In September, Chapter 20 members traveled to Chesterfield, Missouri for the Region 3 Fall Forum. IRWA Chapter 37 members were great hosts and approximately 75 IRWA members throughout Region 3 attended the forum. Our Region 3 meeting was very productive and informative. A draft of the Fall Forum Meeting Minutes is available at IRWA Region 3.
On October 14th, Chapter 20 hosted our 5th Annual College Outreach Program at the Beaver Island Brewery in St. Cloud. Ten students from St. Cloud State University and St. Cloud Technical College attended to hear about different professions within the Right of Way industry. For students who are interested, Chapter 20 is offering two $500 scholarships toward their continuing education. A special thank you to our panelists – Mike Moran, Sean Lawler, Julie Jeffrey-Schwartz, Kyle Klasen, and Dale Aukee – for taking the time to share your experiences, expertise, and advice.
This fall Chapter 20 is hosting three IRWA courses in November and December. Course 603 Understanding Environmental Contamination in Real Estate is November 5th and Course 604 Environmental Due Diligence and Liability is November 6th. Both courses are hosted by Washington County. Course 205 Bargaining Negotiations is on December 4th and 5th at WSB’s Burnsville office. Our very own Chapter 20 Member and Region 3 President Penny Rolf will be instructing this course. This course is great for new and seasoned individuals in the right of way industry. If you are interested in attending any of these courses, please register at Chapter 20 - IRWA Fall Courses.
Currently Chapter 20 is seeking creative minds within Chapter 20 and Region 3 to assist us in designing the 2020 Finnegan Fun Run Shirt. The deadline to submit your creative ideas is December 31st. For more information go to 2020 Finnegan Fun Run Shirt Design Contest.
Finally, if you are available on November 21st, please plan on attending our next Chapter 20 Member Meeting. The meeting will be held at Great River Energy Office in Maple Grove. Register for the meeting by Monday, November 15 on the Chapter 20 website.
If you need anything or have any questions about Chapter 20, please do not hesitate to contact me at 612-581-6572 or bbarker@wsbeng.com.
Best Regards,
Ben Barker, IRWA Chapter 20 President
2019-2020 NEW SPONSORS
2019-2020 EXECUTIVE BOARD
- Director: Mindy Leadholm, SR/WA
- President: Ben Barker, SR/WA, R/W-NAC, R/W-RAC
- President Elect: Benjamin Tozer
- Treasurer: Matthew Hagelin, SR/WA
- Secretary: Brian Mielke, SR/WA, R/W-NAC
NOVEMBER BOARD AND MEMBER MEETING
- Sponsor: Ulteig and SRF Consulting
- Date: Thursday, November 21, 2019
- Location: Great River Energy (12300 Elm Creek Blvd N #4718, Maple Grove)
- Board Meeting: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
- Member Meeting and Lunch: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
- Speaker and Topic: TBD
FALL BOARD MEETING AND 5TH ANNUAL COLLEGE OUTREACH PROGRAM
Chapter 20 hosted the 5th Annual College Outreach Program at the Beaver Island Brewery in St. Cloud on October 14th. We had a good turnout with ten students from St. Cloud State University and St. Cloud Technical College in attendance to hear about a variety of professions within the Right of Way industry. For those students who are interested, Chapter 20 is offering two $500 scholarships toward their continuing education. A special thank you to our panelists – Mike Moran, Sean Lawler, Julie Jeffrey-Schwartz, Kyle Klasen, and Dale Aukee – for taking the time to share your experiences, expertise, and advice.
MEMBERSHIP REPORT
Submitted by Ben Barker, WSB
Membership Renewal Reminder
Your 2020 Membership Invoice has been sent and while there is plenty of time to renew your IRWA membership, December 31st will be here before you know it.
By renewing your membership you stay connected to your profession through, Right of Way Magazine, educational programs and the community of your peers. You also receive reduced member rates when you take a course, attend Association conferences and seminars and Chapter meetings and events.
If you are facing the difficult choice of paying for your dues out of your own pocket- or letting your membership lapse altogether, we encourage you to call the IRWA Headquarters to discuss options on how you can maintain your membership for the upcoming year.
If Chapter 20 is able to retain 90% of our membership total, we will receive 1 free conference registration from Headquarters. We are hoping to meet that goal and can do that with your help.
There are other incentives as well based on our net growth that would also give us free memberships that we could pass on to our members. If you know anyone that is in our industry that would benefit from the IRWA, please let them know about us.
If you have any questions about your membership, please feel free to contact Ben Barker at 612-581-6572 or bbarker@wsbeng.com.
RWIEF - THE SKINNY ON SCHOLARSHIPS
Most of us know that the Right of Way International Education Foundation is the non-profit funding mechanism for right of way education, providing funds for new courses, updates of existing courses and other education initiatives. Not as many of us remember that RWIEF supports three scholarship programs, click here to get the skinny!
UPCOMING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
- Course 603: Understanding Environmental Contamination in Real Estate (November 5, 2019)
- Course 604: Environmental Due Diligence and Liability (November 6, 2019)
- Course 205: Bargaining Negotiations (December 4-5, 2019)
For more information on our upcoming education opportunities, visit our Chapter's Education Page or contact Chapter 20's Education Chair, Mindy Leadholm.
WHAT IS IRWA?
CHAPTER 20 BLOG
Chapter 20's Blog was created to foster meaningful communication and sharing of information between our Executive Board, Committee Chairs, Chapter 20 Members, and all others who wish to participate. Please visit the Blog often as Committee Chairs and Executive Board Members post updates, news, and other relevant information pertaining to the Right of Way profession.