Celebrate 47 Years of Outstanding Service at the SERCAP Water Is Life! Luncheon and Conference 

You are cordially invited to attend SERCAP’s 47th Anniversary Water Is Life! Luncheon & Conference on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at the Roanoke Sheraton Hotel. Our Keynote Speaker will be Maurice A. Jones, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade.

Maurice Jones was appointed Secretary of Commerce and Trade by Governor Terry McAuliffe in January 2014 to oversee the economic, community, and workforce development of the Commonwealth. The primary job of the Secretariat of Commerce and Trade is to utilize Virginia’s assets to solidify its position as the preeminent place to live, work and conduct business.  

Prior to his appointment, Secretary Jones served as Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); President of Pilot Media, the largest print and digital news and information organization based in Virginia;  Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services; and Deputy Chief of Staff to then-Virginia Governor Mark R. Warner. 

Jones holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Hampden-Sydney College, a Master of Philosophy in International Relations from Oxford University in England, where he attended on a Rhodes scholarship, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia. He is a native of Kenbridge, Virginia and currently resides in Norfolk.

Conference Workshop Schedule 

Workshop 1: Fair Housing. Description: Mally Mason, Fair Housing Training Specialist with the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations, will present a workshop covering the history of Virginia Fair Housing Law, a description of each of the protected classes (race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, handicap and elderliness) with case history examples, disability handicap law, other industries regulated under the Virginia Fair Housing Law, exemptions under the Fair Housing Law, and fair housing updates. 3 CEUs. Time: 8:00 - 11:45. Location: Mnemonic Conference Theatre

Workshop 2: Water/Wastewater Operator Math. Description: Andy Crocker, SERCAP State Technical Assistance Provider, will present a workshop covering a variety of math concepts, including setting up word problems, working with fractions, conversion factors for common units in water treatment and distribution, percentages, area and volume, manipulat­ing an equation to solve for the desired parameter, chemical dosing problems, and using the ABC Formula/Conversion Table or state-specific formula sheet. While the module’s target audience is water operators, most concepts are also applicable to wastewater operations. 4 CEUs. Time: 8:00 - 11:45. Location: Salon 1

Workshop 3: VFC Alternative Break: Best Practices for Working with Student Volunteers.  Description: Ashton Fallen, SERCAP Special Projects Manager, will share best practices for working with student volunteers from personal experience and program supervisor stories. She will also answer your questions and lead a group discussion about successes and challenges faced by workshop participants. Time: 9:00 - 11:45. Location: Salon 2

Workshop 4: A Brief Introduction to USDA/Rural Development Programs. Description: Anne Herring, Rural Development Coordinator for USDA in Virginia, will provide an overview and answer questions about USDA's many program. Time: 9:00 - 9:45. Location: Salon 3

Workshop 5: Emergency Response Planning. Description: Joseph Brown, State Technical Assistance Provider, will discuss the process of identifying possible emergency events or failures and what steps can be taken to minimize the risks. This workshop targets the operators and managers of water and wastewater treatment facilities, and runs through several “what if” scenarios to get audience members thinking about what specific course of action they can take for their site. At the conclusion of the workshop participants will have several written processes, Emergency Response Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for emergency events and failures. Time: 10:00 - 11:45. Location: Salon 3

Workshop 6: Aging in Place. Description: Pam Johnson with Fahe (Force for Good Fighting Appalachian Poverty), will provide an overview of the Fahe network’s collaborative work to address Appalachia’s growing aging population and the increasing need for affordable housing and service options for seniors.  Included will be a discussion of the SASH (Support and Services at Home) program in Vermont and efforts to replicate the program in the Appalachian region, along with highlights of the Elder Initiative and lessons learned.  Time: 10:00 - 10:45. Location: Salon 4

Workshop 7: Rethinking Urban Water Sustainability.  Description: Dr. Tamim Younos, Founder & President of the Green Water-Infrastructure Academy, will take the workshop participants on a global tour of innovative urban water management practices in several cities in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, and discuss innovative urban water management practices in global urban environments. According to the United States Census Bureau, 80.7 percent (2012 data) of the U.S. population resides in urban areas - densely developed residential, commercial and other nonresidential areas. And according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the urban population in 2014 accounted for 54% of the total global population, up from 34% in 1960. Increased urbanization and population growth in urban areas has exerted significant demand to expand and enhance water infrastructure and water sector services – water supplies, wastewater treatment and discharge and urban storm water runoff disposal.  Major worldwide impacts of urban water use and existing centralized water infrastructure include surface water pollution, groundwater table decline and saltwater intrusion in urban and coastal aquifers. Furthermore, urban water infrastructure depends on significant amounts of energy for daily operation. These problems present significant challenges and opportunities in urban water sustainability around the globe. Time: 11:00 - 11:45. Location: Salon 4