CASA Winter Conference Canceled
We are sad to announce that due to the recent COVID surge associated with the omicron variant, and out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our members and staff, CASA has decided to cancel its upcoming Winter Conference scheduled for January 19-21 in Palm Springs.

Every year we look forward to connecting with our members and providing you with informative content and networking opportunities. Unfortunately, that simply was not possible this year given recent developments related to COVID. For those of you who had already registered for the conference:

  • Registration fees will be refunded to all registrants very soon. If there are any issues in receiving these refunds, please contact Cheryl MacKelvie at cmackelvie@casaweb.org;
  • For those who have already made hotel reservations, the Hilton Palm Springs has asked that you contact them directly to cancel;
  • CASA will host all our committee meetings virtually this month, so please look for announcements through the LISTSERVS about timing for those events.

This was a difficult call to make as our Winter Conference is an important event for CASA, and in-person conferences are one of our favorite ways to connect with our members across the state. CASA is grateful to our speakers and staff, who have invested considerable effort in creating an outstanding program, as well as all our registrants who had planned on attending. Keep an eye out in future editions of the CASA Connects for news about replacement programming in the upcoming year.

We look forward to seeing you in-person later in the year, and we truly appreciate your support as we all continue to navigate this together.

 

Greg Kester to Serve on the EPA SAB Biosolids Panel
We are excited to announce that Greg Kester, CASA’s Director of Renewable Resource Programs, has been invited by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to serve as a member of the Science Advisory Board (SAB) Biosolids Panel. The Panel will conduct a peer review and provide independent advice to the Administrator regards the Agency’s draft Biosolids Chemical Risk Assessment and Biosolids Screening Tool with an accompanying user guide. The SAB is organized under the Environmental Research Development and Demonstration Authorization Act and the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Congratulations and well deserved, Greg!

 

Exciting New Role at CASA!
We are pleased to share that Alyssa Downs has been promoted to CASA’s Manager of Communications! Effective this month, Alyssa will continue to perform her existing job functions and will also take on several new responsibilities within the association. In addition to her current workload, Alyssa will be transitioning over the next year into the lead role on several of our programs including the Awards Program, the Membership Committee, and will serve as the liaison to the CASA Education Foundation. Please help us in congratulating Alyssa!

 

 

CASA Awards of Excellence
It’s almost that time again! Be thinking about current or past projects of the year to submit for CASA’s 2022 Award of Excellence. The deadline is Friday, April 29, 2022. CASA seeks to recognize members who provide essential public services and go above and beyond to protect public health and the environment. All member agencies and associates are invited to submit an Award of Excellence application. Your organization works hard to do what’s right for California. Recognition from the leading clean water association honors your hard work and accomplishments. It’s a symbol of respect, credibility, and innovation. For more information about the award criteria and categories, please visit the Awards Program Webpage.

 

CASA Education Foundation Scholarship Program
Does your local college or university know about CASA’s financial aid to students interested in a career in water? The CASA Education Foundation helps ensure clean water for Californians and energizes the future of the clean water sector by awarding scholarships to promising students on a path to serving the environmental community. The Foundation is accepting scholarship applications now through Sunday, May 15, 2021. Help us get the word out to California college students about this great opportunity! If you have a relative, neighbor, or friend studying for a degree in the water sector, be sure to share this application with them. For information on how to apply, and who is eligible and the scholarship guidelines, please visit the webpage here.

These $5,000 scholarships are funded by donations from individuals and agencies across California. It is a fantastic opportunity to invest in the next generation of environmental professionals and to identify your organization as a leader. If you or your agency would like to contribute to the CASA Education Foundation and support the future of California’s clean water community, please fill out this Pledge Form or contact adowns@casaweb.org.