YEP Member Update

We have defined some roles and responsibilities for YEP leaders to provide more regular communication with YEP members for social and educational events, and to coordinate YEP activity with the EPOC leaders and committees. We decided to adopt the general structure of the EPOC board and committees so that we have points of contact for the educational committee, social events, and tracking our budget. Members that have been active in forming YEP and coordinating events will take on many of these roles for the next 12 months through November 2017 at which time we will seek volunteers for 2-year terms. Brian Skelly will serve as YEP chairperson, Dan Preli will serve as YEP vice chairperson, Jean Vossler will serve as Social subcommittee chairperson, and Marlee NajamyWinnick will serve as Educational subcommittee chairperson.

We are looking for volunteers to be treasurer. The time commitment is a few hours each month to help coordinate events and work with the EPOC board. Please let us know if you are interested by emailing Brian Skelly at yep@epoc.org.

• Coordinates payment of event and organizational expenses
• Collects event and organizational fees
• Keeps financial records and tracks budget, expenses, and fees
• Prepares budget requests for EPOC
• Maintains a financial history for YEP
• Attends meetings of YEP
• Liaises with the EPOC Treasurer

The next events we are planning will be LEP study sessions over the next six months, a few social events in New Haven and Hartford, happy hours, and a technical course on conceptual site models.

Any volunteers to help with YEP events are welcome! If you have an idea for an event or something we can do together, please contact Brian, Dan, Jean, or Marlee.

Regards,

Brian

YEP

LEP Study Session

YEP sponsored a LEP study group session (our 4th!) on 11/10/16, which was led by Joy Kloss, Senior Environmental Scientist at BL Companies. The session was very well received by attendees and Joy has graciously provided her presentation for all (see link below). Many thanks to folks at GZA for hosting and for all the efforts of Marlee NajamyWinnick with putting the program together!

Guidance for the LEP Exam Application.pdf- Joy Kloss

Note: All questions/matters related to the LEP program including the application process should be directed to Kim Maiorano, CT DEEP LEP Program Coordinator at 860-424-3788. For further information including LEP application forms, see the CT DEEP website.

Yearly Review 2015-2016

2016 has been a fun and productive year for YEP. YEP’s organization planning began March 2015 with a vision planning meeting between EPOC directors and YEP leaders. Since the official formation meeting in May 2015 we have grown to 115 YEP members, subsequently increasing EPOC membership by 40 associate members.  We have held two member meetings, three social networking events, one LEP information event, and three LEP exam study sessions.

Social Networking Events

• (3) Events with approximately 15 to 30 people attending.

Thanks to Jean Vossler of Antea Group for organizing the Social and Networking Events for YEP members.

LEP Study Events

• An LEP informational event was held in December 2015.  Denise Ruzika and Kim Maoriano from Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) presented on the LEP application and exam process followed by a Q&A session with John Hankins, LEP from Fuss & O’Neill and Brian Conte, LEP from GEI Consultants, Inc.  The event was attended by 35 members of EPOC.

• Three study sessions were organized by YEP in March, April, and May, 2016 and were each attended by 15 YEP members. The sessions were led by LEPs on three main topics: Site Characterization and Interpretation, Remedy Selection and Implementation, and CT Transfer Act.  We understand that 20 people sat for the May 2016 LEP exam and that 11 passed the exam. Congratulations to those that passed their exam and earned your LEP license!

Thanks to Marlee NajamyWinnick of GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. for organizing the LEP information event with CT DEEP and LEP study sessions for YEP members. Additionally many thanks to the LEPs who moderated the study sessions: Adam Henry of GZA, Nick Hastings of Woodard and Curran, and Kathleen Cyr, GZA.

YEP Leadership

Over the past 18 months we have grown and operated organically as members have offered to lead different activities and we have gauged interest in the group.  In 2016 and 2017 we will define some roles and responsibilities for YEP leaders to provide more regular communication with YEP members for social and educational events, and to coordinate YEP activity with the EPOC leaders and committees.  Dan and Brian will send out a notice later this month with more information for you.

Past Events

• May 22, 2015: Members founding meeting, City Steam Brewery, Hartford, CT
• Oct 15, 2015: Social Event at Paradise Hill Vineyard, Wallingford, CT
• Dec 4, 2015: LEP Informational Event, CT DEEP, Hartford, CT
• Mar 22, 2016: Members open forum, City Steam Brewery, Hartford, CT
• Mar 29, 2016: LEP Study Session 1 – Site Characterization and Interpretation
• Apr 19, 2016: LEP Study Session 2 – Remedy Selection and Implementation
• May 2, 2016: LEP Study Session 3 – CT Transfer Act
• May 25, 2016: Social Event at Mezzo Grille, Middletown, CT
• Jul 26, 2016: Social Event at Black Bear Saloon, Hartford, CT

• TBD: YEP Conceptual Site Model Course
• TBD: Fall Social Event
• TBD: LEP Study Sessions
• TBD: Members Open Forum

Sincerely,

Brian Skelly and Daniel Preli

YEP co-chairs

YEP Social Event
Location: Black Bear Saloon, 187 Allyn Street, Hartford, CT
Date: Tue, July 26, 2016 5:30 PM

For further information and to register, see: YEP Social Event

EPOC Young Environmental Professionals' Group (YEP) Membership Meeting
Location: City Steam Brewery Cafe, 942 Main Street, Hartford, CT
Date: Tuesday March 22, 2016, 5:30 PM

Please register to confirm your space - no fee for this event for EPOC members which includes beverage and appetizers. 

Winter is on its way out and it’s time to get ready for the field! We invite you to kick off this year with YEP at City Steam Brewery. Appetizers and drinks will be provided. Remember to get there by 6 for a free beverage ticket! Here are some of the topics we plan to discuss:

• Review what we accomplished;
• Report Survey results from past LEP Information event;
• Inform about future events; and,
• Survey the group regarding future technical meetings

We encourage YEP members to participate in this event to help shape our 2016 activities. At this meeting, we will plan Technical Events and Social Events for 2016 and decide how, where, and when we will hold those events.

The EPOC Board of Directors received our budget proposal with open arms last week and approved our request to begin paving our group’s path. The LEP and Technical Presentation committee are currently working to develop a “LEP Informational Event,” which will include DEEP staff and focus on: the LEP application process, frequently asked questions, and preparation for the exam.  Members of the committee will be in attendance at our upcoming social event and we encourage anyone who has an interest to come and share their ideas and take part in the discussion on how to plan this and future informational sessions regarding the LEP program.
 
YEP Social Event – October 13, 2015  5:00pm - 8:00pm
 
You are invited to a happy hour Tuesday October 13th from 5-8pm at Paradise Hills Vineyard in Wallingford, CT, see: http://paradisehillsvineyard.com/.  The vineyard has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and YEP will be providing some appetizers/snacks for the group to share.  In addition, the vineyard of course will be offering their specialties:
 
•             $10 – Tasting of 6 wines
•             $7-9 – Individual glasses of wine
•             $13-25 – Full bottles of wine
 
Please reply to Jean Vossler (jean.vossler@anteagroup.com) if you plan to attend so we can let the vineyard know how many people will attend so they can provide adequate staffing for us for the night.

YEP Member Update

We currently have (59) members registered as YEP Members on our EPOC website list.  Many of you attended the May 20, 2015 meeting at City Steam in Hartford where we held an open forum discussion of what we all wanted YEP to be, and how it could best support us.  Approximately 40 associate members attended that meeting and voiced interest in forming the (YEP) subgroup of EPOC.  During the open forum discussion at the meeting, we developed a list of ideas, and proposed committees to get people involved in YEP.  The list of committees and volunteers is listed below, and we welcome anybody to join these committees at any time.  We apologize if we did not capture everybody who volunteered, so please let us know if we missed anybody.  If you are interested in volunteering for a committee or suggesting ideas, please email YEP@epoc.org. 

In order to consolidate the list of ideas we developed at the open forum meeting, a Survey Monkey questionnaire was distributed to all Associate Members of EPOC - click here to see survey results.  Based on the results of the survey, we identified three areas of focus for YEP for 2015.  17 of the 34 respondents did not attend the meeting so we feel everybody has had an opportunity to offer input. 

- Peer Networking and Social Gatherings

- LEP Study Groups and Preparation

- Technical Seminars geared towards entry level to mid-level professionals 

The Budget Proposal Committee met in July 2015 and began writing a budget request proposal to the EPOC board of directors that we anticipate submitting to the board of directors in the next two weeks. 

We encourage all Committees to start forming contacts this month and we are looking for somebody to chair each committee. 

Budget Proposal Committee volunteers

Brian Skelly (GEI)

Dan Preli (Stantec)

Melissa Bezanson (Stantec)

Anthony Trani (GZA)

Jill Lore (GES) 

Social Committee volunteers

Jean Vossler (Antea Group)

Ally Schoenhorn (Stantec)

Luke <need last name> (?)

Kristen Amodeo (GZA)

Kate Engler (Apex) 

LEP Study Group Committee volunteers

Marlee Najamy-Winnick (GZA)

Shannon Spezzano (GZA)

Melissa Felter (GEI)

Amy Mastrangelo (GEI) 

Technical Events Committee volunteers

Anthony Trani (GZA)

Brian Skelly (GEI)

Kate Engler (Apex)

Thanks,

YEP

YEP Member Update

EPOC has formed YEP (the Young Environmental Professionals group, see description below) and we are now formalizing our member list. If you are interested in receiving updates and invitations to YEP events, please take a moment today to join YEP officially by logging into your EPOC account (www.epoc.org) and then click on your name (top right on each page) to view your profile" and then “Edit profile". You will now be able to join YEP by checking box under “Group participation” and then click “Save” at the bottom of the page. YEP is open to all EPOC members and is included with your membership dues.

ABOUT YEP 

Young Environmental Professionals (YEP) is a group open to EPOC members interested in our programs and social activities that will include:

- Informational events for those “on-track” to become CT LEPs;

- Online forum/discussion board to share news, ideas, and questions;

- LEP exam Study Groups;

- Socializing and networking events (e.g. bowling, hiking, happy hours); and

- Other activities per member input

By joining YEP you will receive invitations to all our activities and access to all our discussion forums.

For anyone who missed the meeting or wants to Join YEP please pass the information on, and contact Brian or Dan at YEP@epoc.org if you want to get involved in helping set up study groups, social events, meetings, or the budget proposal to the EPOC BOD.

Wow!

What a great first YEP (Young Environmental Professionals) meeting on May 21 at City Steam in Hartford! We would like to thank everyone for their input, questions, and interest in our newly formed organization! We covered a lot of ground and here's a recap for everyone who missed the meeting:

- Approximately 45 people attended the event;

- Dan and Brian introduced YEP and moderated the evening's questions and discussion points;

- Our EPOC President John Hankins and Executive Director Seth Molofsky spoke on behalf of the Board of Directors;

- We did a round robin introduction from all YEP members in attendance where each person responded to the question: "Why did you attend the YEP meeting tonight?"

Here's a summary of what everyone bounced back to us during our discussions:

-- What is EPOC and YEP all about?

-- Is the LEP-path right for me?

-- Do I need to be an LEP to continue/advance in my career?

-- I want information on how to become and LEP?

-- We need a support structure for future LEPs.

-- I need help with LEP applications.

-- LEP exam study groups?

-- I want to meet new people in my industry.

-- I want to socialize and network.

-- Who else is in my shoes?

-- Who shares my passion?

-- I am looking to meet environmental professionals.

-- Can we act as sounding boards for each other?

-- I seek guidance for what is available for my career.

-- I am looking for opportunities to learn.

-- I want to build my business through networking and learning.

From these great ideas, we agreed to focus our next efforts on the following:

- Have monthly social gatherings at local establishments, impromptu setting;

- hold an informational event, "An overview of the LEP program/Application Process";

- Begin an Online forum/discussion board to share news, ideas, and questions;

- Set up LEP Study Groups;

Organize a variety of socializing and networking events (e.g. bowling, hiking, happy hour);

- Hold quarterly meetings that may be informal vs. formal such as a fun presentation among peers vs. LEP or DEEP guest speakers who come in an present for us;

- A goal to have at least one formal meeting/presentation with DEEP or Someone knowledgeable regarding LEP application process/eligibility by end of the year so folks can start study groups for 2016 winter...

- Develop a budget proposal to the EPOC Board of Directors by end of June for their review during July's meeting to provide funding for YEP;

- Launch a Survey monkey to YEP members - this will allow us to fine tune the budget proposal we are presenting to the board;

We wrapped the evening up by asking for people who are interested in taking on roles for the YEP group:

-- Study Group Organizer;

-- Social Meetings Organizer (bowling seemed to be a hit)...hiking, outdoor events - Frisbee golf, ultimate...etc;

-- Formal Meeting Organizer;

--Budget Proposal Group.

We are planning to contact everyone who is interested in organizing one of YEP's sub-committees in the next week, stay tuned!

If you have any questions or would like to share some additional notes or offer a good survey questions please contact us. 

Regards,

Dan & Brian