The Alberta Water Council (AWC) has been tasked with tracking implementation of the Alberta Water for Life strategy, a province-wide approach to the protection of watersheds in Alberta.
Roles and Responsibilities of Alberta Water Council Members
- Participate actively in Alberta Water Council meeting which will occur approximately 4-5 times/year.
- Work with and communicate regularly to the AEN Water Caucus membership to table the views of this constituency, and to keep each other informed about Council business.
- Take an active role in the work of the Council by participating in project teams and committees, championing an activity and otherwise promoting awareness of the Council and its priorities as opportunities arise.
- Supports and adheres to the Alberta Water Council’s ground rules and principles of consensus decision making.
- Preparation of reports to the AEN Water Caucus following AWC meetings.
Roles and Responsibilities of Alberta Water Council Alternate Members
- Assumes the roles and responsibilities of the primary AWC member in the absence of the Member (i.e., represents the organization of the lead member)
- Works and communicates regularly with the primary AWC member to represent the views of their stakeholder constituency, and to keep each other informed about Council business.
- Takes an active role in the work of the Council by participating in project teams and committees, championing an activity and otherwise promoting awareness of the Council and its priorities as opportunities arise.
- Supports and adheres to the Alberta Water Council’s ground rules and principles of consensus decision making.
- Attend at least one Council meeting annually.
- Preparation of reports to the AEN Water Caucus following AWC meetings.
The AWC meets 4-5 times per year for a period of 1-2 days including travel and/or field trips. For every meeting, the representative will also dedicate approximately 1 day of preparation time including reading advance materials. Periodically, the AWC meetings are two days long and are held in different part of the province.
Additional Time Commitments
AWC representatives and their alternates can participate on project teams or working groups setup by the AWC focused on specific issues such as wetlands, water conservation/efficiency, and policy. The work plans and timelines for project teams are determined by the AWC, and AWC representatives must notify the AEN Water Caucus Chair and Network Manager of project teams in order to conduct a delegate selection. Honoraria and travel reimbursement are also provided to participants on these teams.
We also expect the AEN delegate to fully participate on the AEN Water Caucus, that generally consists of monthly conference calls plus two face-to-face meetings at the AEN spring and fall meetings. In addition, the member must generally track AWC activities and communicate regularly with the AEN Water Caucus and Chair.
AWC members receive a standard honorarium for participation on the AWC as well as reimbursement for all travel costs. Conference calls are free for all Water Caucus members and AEN will cover some travel costs to cross-caucus meetings depending on need.
Applicants should also have the following attributes:
- Represent a member in good standing of the AEN that publishes (in some form) publicly accessible, substantive positions on relevant environmental issues.
- Be knowledgeable about water, watershed function and sector use.
- The AEN encourages applicants familiar with other environmental issues such as land use, forestry, agriculture, energy development etc. to consider applying for these two positions as there is a natural linkage between these issues and watershed protection.
- Can represent the interests of their sector while working creatively and constructively with others towards a common goal.
- Can effectively communicate the work of the Council to others in their sector.
- Can allocate the time required to complete the work of the Council.
- Respect the opinions and experience of other members of Council.
- Build consensus.
- Bring a wider perspective to Council than just that of their organization, or their sector.
- Respect the Council protocol for communicating with the media and other bodies.
- Have a demonstrated commitment to the environmental protection of Alberta’s watersheds.
- Have knowledge and experience with the AEN Water Caucus.
Please reply to the AEN office ([email protected]) by September 16, 2011 providing:
- your contact information (including address, email, and phone number)
- the name of the AEN member-group in-good-standing which you will represent
- a brief description of your background and abilities, particularly those relevant to the selection
- criteria (1-2 pages), may include a resume too.