The community of La Estanzuela is home to about 350 Hondurans. After assessing the most pressing needs of the community during previous visits, EWB-USC determined that a severe scarcity of clean water had to be addressed. The current villagers can either collect contaminated spring water from a minimal flow well or hike many miles back and forth from the local river. This has led to gastrointestinal diseases and lack of proper hydration to many of the residents, especially during the dry season.

EWB RESPONSE

To greatly increase the quality of life of those in La Estanzuela, EWB-USC designed a water wheel pump delivery system to continually fill a previously constructed 10,000 gallon tank. This tank is connected to each household, but currently has no water supply. After the design was approved by EWB-USA in 2009, a group of engineering students with a professional engineer traveled to Honduras in 2010 to begin construction of the expansive system. Two successive trips have led to about 75% of the project being completed, with two more trips planned to complete it.

The goal of this project is for the system to be completely operational by the end of the 2011-2012 school year. Honoring our commitment to La Estanzuela, we will then move on to the next project within the community. Another important issue that was recognized by EWB-USC was the need for improved educational facilities. The community has outgrown current school building, and the school’s kitchen and latrine system are dilapidated. During the next two trips, EWB-USC will begin assessment and design of improved school infrastructure, with hopes of completing this project in the near future.

Want to become an EWB E-Board Member for next year? Know someone that would be great on E-Board? Nominate them or yourself! Just email ewb@usc.edu by January 18, 11:59PM!

Here are the positions along with a description of what the job entails.  If you have any questions, feel free to email the board members who currently hold the position about their specific duties! (The email is listed next to the position).

All you need to do is email ewb@usc.edu with a name!

President (ewb.usc.president@gmail.com)
(5.2.1) The President is the chief operating officer of EWB-USC and is responsible for maintaining the overall direction and health of the organization consistent with the Purposes set forth in Article II. The President presides over Executive Board and membership meetings, and shall coordinate the activities of the other Executive Board members.  The President will also collaborate with Project Managers to fairly choose students qualified to travel, who will be verified by the Executive Board as stated in section 6.10.

Project Managers (CDP: ewb.usc.projectmanager1@gmail.com, LE: ewb.usc.projectmanager2@gmail.com)
(5.2.2) Project Managers are responsible for ensuring the success of their project including design and implementation of the project. They are responsible for collaborating with other Executive Board members with regard to communication, fundraising and expense management. They shall select students qualified to travel as stated in section 6.10, ensuring. They shall endeavor to maintain student safety and to assure EWB-USA is most efficiently utilizing its resources.  Project Managers, in order of membership seniority, will perform the duties of the President if the President is unavailable.

External Relations Chair (ewb.usc.external@usc.edu)
(5.2.3) The External Relations Chair is responsible for maintaining all club contacts not otherwise specifically designated.  This includes relationships with professional organizations, supporting organizations including Rotary, USC Alumni and donors.  The External Relations Chair is responsible for sending a newsletter describing organization events and activities to all supporters at least quarterly.  The External Relations Chair shall coordinate with the Fundraising Chair as appropriate.

Corresponding Secretary (ewb@usc.edu)
(5.2.4) The Corresponding Secretary shall work with the Website Chair to oversee the content maintenance of the club website, direct the writing and distribution of the weekly club newsletter, and assist the External Relations Chair with communicating to supporters. The Corresponding Secretary will monitor the organization’s e-mail, regular mail and voicemail. The Corresponding Secretary must communicate with the President, Project Managers and other Executive Committee members as appropriate.

Recording Secretary (ewb.usc.recording@gmail.com)
(5.2.5) The Recording Secretary is responsible for taking meeting minutes of all Executive Board and membership meetings and distributing the minutes to the members, maintaining the records and documents of EWB-USC, recording member involvement, assisting the Corresponding Secretary and coordinating with the Events Chair.

Treasurer (ewb.usc.treasurer@gmail.com)
(5.2.6) The Treasurer is responsible for managing the club’s financial resources including all bank accounts. The Treasurer will work with the Fundraising Chair and Project Managers to budget for projects and travel.  In case the President or Project Managers are unavailable, the Treasurer will temporarily assume those functions.

Fundraising Chair (ewb.usc.frc@gmail.com)
(5.2.7) The Fundraising Chair is responsible for raising all funding for EWB-USC. This includes fundraising presentations and grant writing through Viterbi, EWB-USA, Rotary, USC and other sources.  The Fundraising Chair will coordinate with the External Relations Chair, the Treasurer and the Project Managers.

Membership Chair (ewb.usc.membership@gmail.com)
(5.2.8) The Membership Chair is responsible for affairs relating to new and current membership. This includes membership recruitment, keeping currents members involved, and coordinating membership activities and events, collecting dues and maintaining membership records.

Events Chair (ewb.usc.events@gmail.com)
(5.2.9) The Events Chair is responsible for planning organization-wide events, and representing the club at university and community events such as environmental expositions, professional organizations, USC and Viterbi student involvement fairs, and planning club events consistent with the Purposes of EWB-USC.

Website Coordinator (ewb.usc.web@gmail.com)
(5.2.10) The Website Coordinator is responsible for building and maintaining the Viterbi EWB-USC website and Basecamp.

National Liaison (ewb.usc.national@usc.edu)
(5.2.11) The EWB National Liaison is responsible for maintaining the relationship of EWB-USC with EWB-USA. This includes organizing travel to EWB-USA workshops and conferences,  completing the travel documents required for all travel, or any other tasks regarding the relationship with EWB-USA. The EWB National Liaison will attend any USC events in the absence of the University and Viterbi’s Representative.

Remember, send a name in by Wednesday, January 18!

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