Last week’s blog by Kevin Vettraino described the power of partnerships to create major impacts at the local and regional level.
In our work at SEMCOG, we see again and again that successful partnerships rely on some critical ingredients. These include leadership, transparency, and communication. We have heard these themes repeated over and over when meeting with communities, state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the public as we continue working to update our Water Resources Plan for Southeast Michigan.
Led by the efforts and example of Sue McCormick, CEO, Great Lakes Water Authority, GLWA is walking the talk when it comes to transparency, communication, and partnerships. This can be seen in a new partnership agreement GLWA has initiated with its customers (now referred to as members because we are all part of the team for clean water). The One Water Partnership agreement has a mission to “collaboratively ensure a One Water system approach to our regional water and wastewater system that will be economically, socially, and environmentally responsible and sustainable.”
This mission directly aligns with one of SEMCOG’s key functions – to “Develop regional solutions that go beyond the boundaries of individual local governments.” While not a traditional GLWA customer, SEMCOG applauds this effort and is happy to sign on as a member in this partnership!
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