Effective December 31, 1997 there was no longer Local Memberships available in the Maine Chapter. You now need to join the National American Public Works Association, which entitles you to automatic membership in the Maine Chapter. Membership Rates are as follows:

* Individual Membership: $100 US (Available to any official or employee of a governmental agency, manufacturer, supplier, contractor or consulting firm)

* Public Agency Membership: The number of individual memberships and dues are based on the agency's population. Members can be added to a group membership for an additional $82.50 US/each. Available to any federal, provincial, state, local or other public agency concerned with public works

* Associate Membership: $115 US (Available for persons not qualifying for individual membership)

APWA's website lists these and other membership types and benefits if you need further clarification. http://www.apwa.net/membership/
National Membership Department
Long Distance: (816) 472-6100
Toll-free #: (800) 848-APWA
Email: membership@apwa.net

The National APWA is the parent organization of your local Maine Chapter. It provides your Board of Directors the insurance protection and educational tools it needs to serve the local members. The Chapter can provide a variety of teleconferences, video library, technical papers, and networking opportunities to eliminate some of the isolation felt during crunch time. If you’re not involved with the Chapter, do it today! What you learn from other foreman, supervisors, directors, and consultants at these meetings far outweighs the cost of your National membership.

Our National Organization has formed partnering agreements with other highly successful organization. These partnering agreements allow you as an APWA member access to conferences and technical materials at no additional cost to you. It allows you to attend seminars at member rates. Partnering makes sense for all educational organizations. With today’s shrinking training dollar, APWA offers a ticket to being exposed to a large number of organizations with one membership. The APWA Reporter, a monthly magazine included in your membership, provides monthly updates on activities across the country in a variety of areas of Public Works. APWA is on-line on the World Wide Web at www.apwa.net. This will allow you as a member immediate access to APWA other APWA members across the country. Chat rooms are envisioned where you could talk over a road problem, a drainage issue, or get updates on how to add life to a stagnant recycling program.

APWA is a tool that every one responsible for manpower, materials, purchasing, equipment, maintenance and any aspect of municipal or public infrastructure needs to own. You can participate locally or nationally; the commitment is up to you. You do not need to serve on committees, but you need to participate in Chapter events. The friendships you develop at these events will be long lasting. Your most productive time will be spent during breaks and lunch when you have the opportunity to bounce ideas and problems off each other. The Maine Chapter has so much to offer and can offer a whole lot more with your help.

The Chapter sponsored Mechanics Training Seminars over the last two years. For the first seminar in May 1997 over two hundred mechanics across the state were trained over a two-day period! Maintenance Supervisors from Biddeford, Portland, Scarborough, and Yarmouth took on the task of putting a fantastic program together. Four meetings and two days of training were what these men donated of their time to the Chapter. The Educational Committee for Fleet Services was formed from this group and gave our Chapter a much-needed Training Program for mechanics. Maybe you have a specialty you can share in other aspects of Public Works?

I have met a great number of dedicated people and learned a tremendous amount about Public Works in my eight years as a Maine Chapter member. My membership in APWA is an investment in my profession as well as my community. It’s never too late to become a part of an organization that leads by example and always strives for perfection. Status Quo doesn’t’ cut it in today’s world and it should not be acceptable to you as a Public Works Professional.

Public Works in the Public Interest is our national motto. Make it yours today!