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North Star News March 2022, Chapter 20, Region 3

FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK

Chapter 20 President: Matthew Hagelin

Hello Chapter 20!

It’s amazing that we are approaching the end of the first quarter of 2022 already! Spring is in the air and soon our world here in the mid-west will begin to bloom again!

The Board has been busy addressing the feedback received from our member check-in last Fall. We promised to put action around it and planning us underway way for a variety of engagement opportunities, educational offerings and fun events. It is great to see new people begin to engage and express interest in Chapter 20 and what they can do to move the mission forward. I’m so glad to see this shared action plan moving forward to the benefit of our members and the organization as a whole.

We will be welcoming nominations for people interested in the Chapter 20 Board for the 2022-2023 year at our March meeting. If you have interest or know someone that may be good for the cause – throw the name in the hat! All nominations can be directed to Brian Mielke at BMielke@wsbeng.com. We will be voting in new members to the Board at our May meeting. I’ve heard a few good ones already – the future is looking bright!

Our IRWA world here at Chapter 20 is beginning to bloom again after a long few years and I am thrilled to be a part of it. We have been busy laying out the plan for the coming months and into next year. I am excited for the upcoming speakers, classes, events and networking opportunities that we have on the horizon. Please log on to the Chapter 20 website (https://irwa20.org/) to keep up with what is to come. Come join us to reconnect and network with fellow industry professionals.

Hope to see you all at our next Chapter meeting in March. Until then -- stay safe and be well!

Regards,

Matthew Hagelin, SR/WA

2021-2022 SPONSORS

2021-2022 EXECUTIVE BOARD

  • Director: Benjamin Tozer
  • President: Matthew Hagelin, SR/WA
  • President Elect: Brian Mielke, SR/WA, R/W-NAC
  • Treasurer: Sean Lawler, SR/WA
  • Secretary: Faye Gillespie

MARCH BOARD AND MEMBER MEETING

Mark your calendars for our next Chapter Meeting which will be on Wednesday, March 16th in the 1st Floor Training Conference Room at HDR Engineering, Inc. Their office is located at 1601 Utica Ave. S., #600, St. Louis Park, MN 55416.

  • Location: HDR Engineering, Inc., 1601 Utica Ave. South, Suite 600, St. Louis Park, MN 55416 - 1st Floor Training Conference Room
  • 10-11:30 board meeting
  • 12:00 member lunch and speaker as usual. (Speaker is planning on starting about 12:30 after Matt addresses the membership)
  • Speaker: Brian Simmons, Principal Engineer with Bolton & Menk - Drones and UAV's and how they are changing the face of our industry!
  • To Register, click here!

Brian Simmons is a Principal Engineer with Bolton & Menk, a graduate of North Dakota State University, who joined the firm in 2005. His background is in Municipal engineering, where he has leveraged his passion for technology into building the company’s Trenchless and Reality Capture groups. He will share how Bolton & Menk has found success in recognizing Drones and UAVs as a disruptive innovation that is changing the face of our industry. Thanks Brian for coming to speak to us!

We look forward to seeing you!

JANUARY BOARD AND MEMBER MEETING RECAP

We gathered at the Washington County Public Works building in Stillwater for our January meeting. The Board had a productive meeting addressing our members feedback and hatching a plan for 2022 and 2023. We are looking to create opportunities that give our members the biggest “bang for their buck”, providing value financially, experientially or educationally. As we make some slight modification to address our members needs, please feel free to reach out to the Board with feedback of any kind.

Our speaker, Doug Johnson delivered a presentation on Appraisal and its place within the right of way industry. It was beneficial to consider all the ways in which appraisal can help the acquisition process. Also very good to understand the things to keep in mind to ensure a smooth process. Thank you for your contribution to the Chapter 20 members, we appreciate you sharing your knowledge and expertise!

UPCOMING IRWA REGION 3 SPRING FORUM

The IRWA Region 3 Spring Forum is planned for April 24-26th, 2022 in St. Louis, Missouri. An exact venue is to be determined, but IRWA Course C-902 - Property Descriptions, is planned to be held on April 26th.

IRWA CHAPTER 20 SURVEY

I respectfully ask for your participation and genuine feedback. We will be taking the feedback and discussing at the next few Chapter 20 Board meetings where we will begin to outline any necessary steps to ensure to that purposeful action turns to meaningful member value. We have something special here at Chapter 20 and we want to continue to build on all the great years we’ve experienced. Survey is 12 questions – should take 5 minutes or so to complete. To complete the survey, please click here!

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

Membership Renewal Reminder

Thank you to everyone who renewed your IRWA Membership. As of the end of February, 78% of our membership has renewed. If you have not renewed your membership, please renew your membership by April 1, 2022 at www.irwaonline.org.

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 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

For more information on our upcoming education opportunities, visit our Chapter's Education Page or contact Chapter 20's Education Chair, Shawn Zepper.

Candidacies/Designations

  • Steven Johnson – Enbridge – SR/WA Recertification
  • Matt Storm – Evergreen Land Services – SR/WA Recertification

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.

CHAPTER 20 QUICK LINKS

NEWSLETTER EDITOR