Great news EWB-ers, Both the project application (501) and the chapter application to adopt said project (502) have been accepted by EWB National. All of our hard work has paid off! Next step is to start planning our pre-assessment trip. We should start talking about what this means and what our next steps are asap. EWB requires that we submit an applicaiton to travel at least two months ahead of time, so I would like to get moving on that if we can. This will mean solidifying the travel team, working with Raul to find the right times to get down there, and filling out more fun paperwork. I'm out of town for the next two weeks, but will be available to work on this for at least the first week. I will be in touch with those of you who have volunteered to be on the project team to start coordinating. If you are interested in being on the project team, please let me know. Thanks so much to everybody for your hard work. I'm very excited to see this moving forward. Carrie ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Gretchen Smithwick <[log in to unmask]> Date: Fri, Jul 19, 2013 at 12:04 PM Subject: EWB-USA Chapter Application Approved - VT Pro (Nicaragua, Venecia) To: [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask] Cc: Rosemary Powers <[log in to unmask]>, [log in to unmask] Dear Vermont Professional Chapter of EWB-USA and Venecia Community Members,* *** ** ** Congratulations! A Project Manager has reviewed the Vermont Professional Chapter of EWB-USA application for the *Nicaragua, Venecia *program and determined this chapter is qualified to partner with this community on their approved program. At this point, the project team and the in-country partners may get in contact with each other and begin gathering information to plan the first assessment trip. I have attached the chapter application and additional documentation for the community partners to review as well.** ** ** ** Although the chapter has approval, they are encouraged to consider the following comments from the EWB-USA Project Manager who reviewed the chapter application as they move into the assessment phase of the project.** ** ** ** **· **Page 4 - The initial problem statement is focused on the need for improved agricultural practices, but the first project is about improved water distribution. The chapter will need to confirm the community priorities on the first assessment trip. If the project moves into a direction of agriculture, the team will be required to find additional mentors with the appropriate experience. **** **· **Page 9 – One point of clarification is that substitute traveling mentors must also be EWB-USA members who are actively engaged in the project. This comment is based on the following statement “Either Peter or a suitable substitute from his firm will travel with the team on every project”, which suggests that someone from his firm (and not necessarily EWB-USA team) would be an appropriate substitute. **** **· **Page 10 – I am familiar with Pure Water for the World’s work in Copan Ruinas, Honduras and was impressed by their approach to community development. It is great that Carol will be able to mentor this team on community development issues. The application suggests that her involvement will pick up at the implementation phase, but I’d like to clarify that her involvement will likely be most critical at the assessment and design phase. Implementing a sustainable project requires careful planning early in the assessment process. The team’s plans for sustainability will be most critically reviewed at the assessment and preliminary design phase. **** ** ** *Planning for the First Assessment Trip* Please note that the acceptance of this program does not mean that your chapter has been approved for travel. Prior to the first assessment trip, your chapter must submit a 521 – Pre-Assessment Report, which will be reviewed by one of our Project Managers. In general, this submission must occur at least two months before your intended assessment travel dates (for more information on submittal deadlines, please check the “Project Process/Submittal Deadlines” section of the EWB-USA members portal of our website, www.ewb-usa.org). **** ** ** The purpose of an assessment trip is to gather sufficient information to allow the chapter to a) assess the economic, social, environmental and technical viability of the project b) assess project sustainability; the potential for the project to last long-term, c) make a “go/no go” decision about continuing with the project, d) enable future design and analysis of the proposed infrastructure at the site and e) serve as baseline data for monitoring and evaluation of the project in the future. **** ** ** As you plan for your assessment trip, we would also encourage chapter members to go to the member pages of our website to download all documents needed for an assessment trip, view webinars, learn about the health and safety program, and become familiar with the other resources which are available to chapters.**** ** ** *New Program Webinar* I will be sending your chapter an invitation to our New Program Webinar shortly. This webinar will explain the project process in detail and will help you get your program off to the right start and answer any questions that you may have. Please note that we require the participation of at least two chapter members (preferably one being the project lead) in this webinar before travel approval is granted. **** ** ** Congratulations on this big step and best of luck with this program. We all look forward to working with you on the next phase of your program.**** ** ** Sincerely,**** ** ** Gretchen Smithwick**** Project Coordinator**** **** Engineers Without Borders USA**** 4665 Nautilus Ct, Suite 300**** Boulder, CO 80301**** Direct Line: 720-204-3218**** ewb-usa.org<http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fewb-usa.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFrqEzdLWgByaDmg9g4nU5yn1d17khISvw>| Facebook<http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fewbusa&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFrqEzdAqU7s2_ebk39NuzGboAbYxxRftg>| Twitter<http://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2F%23!%2FEWBUSA&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFrqEzetEYRN3glOGD543tmrO1_CAcDRxw> **** ** ** Do you know of a chapter that deserves special recognition? Nominations for the Regional Premier Chapter awards are now open! *Fill out a nomination form*<http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fr20.rs6.net%2Ftn.jsp%3Fe%3D001b6742_RKwM0UExAltqukqm7NiGpeMWnF3wyjOJHMKqJkxHgPKCR5niaQqTAOao8QHngnpCqhL_aiYLwdJaIRNEzC0MLe6XXTu1ZsV86bYhjgXuX98gNoluYPTi_ol2Qcto7tnsUQcNA%3D&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFrqEzfddcU8J-iNnhSJyjXyRVHjpEtc4g> before the *June 30, 2013* deadline.**** ** **