ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS USA

ALAMO PROFESSIONAL CHAPTER

EWB Overview

Mission: Support community-driven development programs to design and implement sustainable engineering projects

350 projects in 45 countries 12,000 members in 250 chapters

EWB Overview

Typical Projects

Potable water Sanitation Transportation Electrical power

Example Projects

• Composting latrines and rainwater catchment in Rwanda.

Example Projects

• Wastewater sewer system and pedestrian bridge in El Salvador.

Typical Project Process

Year Activity0 Identify the community and need

0 Apply to EWB-USA to begin a program

0.5 First assessment trip

1 Design alternatives analysis

1 Preliminary design

1.5 Second assessment trip

2 Final design

2.5 Implementation trip

3.5 Implementation trip

5 Monitoring

Texas EWB Chapters

Alamo Chapter Progress

September 2012 Chapter initiation at Southwest Research Institute

October 2012 - January 2013 Preliminary chapter documents Preliminary officer selection

February 2013 EWB-USA chapter approval

February – June 2013 Program searching and application

July 2013 EWB-USA program approval – Papachacra, Bolivia

First Program:Papachacra, Bolivia

Reasons for selection: Connections to partner NGO – Engineers In

Action (engineersinaction.org). Recommended by EWB-USA for our chapter. Well-defined and appropriate size for a

chapter’s first program.

First Program:Papachacra, Bolivia

First Program:Papachacra, Bolivia

Located in the Department of Tarija 11,965 ft above sea level 120 families Primary income/sustenance from agriculture

(mostly potatoes) School teaches until 6th grade Community speaks Spanish, Quechua, Aymara Needs: potable water, irrigation, education,

health.

First Program:Papachacra, Bolivia

The municipal government has already implemented a piping system to each house, but the water supply (spring fed) is not sufficient.

The current system needs analysis and a filtration system, as it is suspected that the water is contaminated.

Additional springs exist near the community that could be utilized.

Initial Chapter andProgram Timeline

September – December 2013: Select Project Manager Hold chapter elections Plan and travel on 1st assessment trip

January – May 2014: Preliminary design Fundraising 2nd assessment trip

June – November 2014: Finalize design 1st implementation trip

How Does Travel Work?

Chapter members travel to the community on assessment, implementation, and monitoring trips.

EWB-USA has a maximum travel team size of 8 people; typically 2-4 for assessment/monitoring, 4-6 for implementation.

Both traveling and non-traveling members are needed. Regardless of whether you travel, the majority of the work is done here.

Travelers will be selected by the project manager.

How To Get Involved

Work is needed in many areas beside direct engineering. Several committees will be formed to manage these needs: Finance Fundraising Advertising/Communications Website Design and Management Project Management Project Support Chapter Membership UTSA Outreach Configuration Management

Please indicate your interests to allow us to pair you with a group.

What Next?

To officially join the chapter, register with EWB-USA at ewb-usa.org.

There is a $100 annual fee for professionals. 20% goes to the chapter, 15% to the region, and the remainder to national.

We will contact you shortly based on your responses to the surveys.

Check out our website for updates and more information: ewb-alamo.org.

Next Meeting

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, September 24th at 6:30pm at the same location: Northwest Hills Christian Church, 9560 Potranco Road.

Questions?