CEO Column

Noting the One-year anniversary of COVID-19

It has been about one year since the United States and Canada were engulfed by the Coronavirus pandemic. It has been an incredibly difficult year for every single one of us. We have lost family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and others. My heart hurts just thinking about it.

There have been a few silver linings. The waste and recycling industry has been recognized as “essential” (though we already knew that). There is a far greater appreciation for the incredibly difficult work that solid waste collection workers do on a daily basis. And we have learned that SWANA can provide high quality, timely education and training via Zoom and your computer, which makes these important services accessible to a wider audience.

SWANA has been challenged over the past 12 months, and I believe we are successfully overcoming many of the financial and other challenges presented by the pandemic. This has occurred for several reasons. First, the Board of Directors has played a more hands on role than usual in providing direction and guidance to staff. This is particularly true of the Officers, who agreed to serve in their current positions for an additional year instead of advancing to the next officer position (e.g., from Vice President to President). The continuity in leadership has been of great benefit to me, to SWANA staff, and to our membership as a whole. I usually don’t recognize individuals in my monthly column, but I will make an exception: President Brenda Haney, Vice President Tim Flanagan, Treasurer Art Mercer, Secretary Tammy Hayes, and Past President Michael Greenberg - thank you for your leadership and guidance during these tough times.

Second, SWANA staff has risen to the moment and continues to provide the programs, services, and information that chapters, Technical Divisions, and members deserve. This has occurred despite working from home for an entire year and SWANA not filling several open positions when certain #TeamSWANA staff retired. Our hard-working and dedicated staff has been creative in their approaches and has even added new member benefits over the past year, such as the “Chapter Chats” and the new weekly safety newsletter, Safety Matters.

Third, you, our members, have stuck with SWANA during these uncertain and financially challenging times. Although SWANA membership dropped off a bit in Spring and Summer 2020, we have seen more new members join and more current members renew their memberships over the past six months. This trend is encouraging, and likely reflects the successful implementation of many aspects of the 2015 Strategic Plan, which has made the value equation associated with being a SWANA member even stronger over the past six years.

But we can’t rest on our laurels. Although many people are starting to get vaccinated, it is unlikely that the majority of SWANA members will receive vaccines before early Summer. At the same time, many local governments and companies have imposed travel restrictions and, candidly, some members are not yet comfortable getting on a plane or attending an in-person chapter meeting or event. I get it. We are eager to get together again in person, but need to do so in a safe manner. SWANA continues to evaluate its future in-person events (SOAR, WASTECON^®) and we promise that if an event is held, it will be done safely.

It’s been a long 12 months. The pandemic is not over, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. SWANA has played an important role providing timely information about the pandemic to members and urging federal and state/provincial governments in the United States and Canada to prioritize the industry for vaccines. We will continue to do so, as well as provide training opportunities, comment on federal rules and guidance documents, hold useful virtual educational events, be the industry safety leader, conduct important research, and deliver dozens of other member services large and small. (If I left out something you think it really important, please let me know!)

Despite the past year’s many challenges, SWANA is stronger because of you, and your commitment to our mission and to our efforts. Thank you. Let us know what we can be doing better to make SWANA, including our 47 chapters, stronger and even more valuable for you, our members.