Are you looking for ways to connect with fellow SWEP of Greater Philadelphia (SWEP GP) members and become more involved in the organization?

SWEP GP has several key committees that are integral to our success and offer the opportunity to contribute as much – or as little – of your skills and time as you’d like.

Volunteer Coordinator 

Established in 2019, this key role works with all committee chairs to assist in building volunteer pools and correctly identifying SWEP GP Members who have interest in assisting in some capacity with the SWEP GP organization. 

Volunteer Coordinator: Vacant 

Click to Contact > Email the Volunteer Coordinator

Fundraising Coordinator

Newly created in 2019, the Fundraising Coordinator has originally been focused on fundraising efforts tied to the Annual Touchstone Award Gala. The SWEP GP BOD would like to extend these efforts to a year-round focus, to assist in gaining awareness of our SWEP Chapter, help fund higher monetary awards or additional opportunities for Scholarships and Grants, and add member-benefits to sponsor and gain the marketing assistance from SWEP GP. 

Fundraising Chair: Andrea DeCola

Board Officer Liaison: Co-Treasurer/Jennifer Poole

Click to Contact > Email the Fundraising Committee

Diversity & Inclusion Committee

The SWEP GP BOD established the Diversity & Inclusion Committee in 2020 to create an organizational culture and climate in which every voice is valued. The committee makes recommendations on policies and strategies regarding inclusive and diversive approaches to enhance the recruitment, retention, and inclusion of individuals from underrepresented groups. The committee works with the Membership, Social Programs, and Technical Programs Committees to ensure the goals of the committee are met.

Membership Chair: Jennifer Poole

Board Officer Liaison: Treasurer/Victoria Bisbing

Click to Contact >  Email the Diversity & Inclusion Committee

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee is at the core of  SWEP GP, serving our individual, corporate, and joint members. This committee is responsible for welcoming new members via phone calls, membership events, office visits, and organization introductions; mentoring new members, and serving as liaison to the various activities, benefits, and committees of SWEP GP. The membership committee facilitates answers on any membership questions or should a member have any other SWEP GP related inquiries. The committee focuses on ensuring that we deliver value to our members. SWEP GP’s Membership Committee also works with our other committees to create programs that attract new members, such as “bring a friend” to SWEP luncheon events, to help advance the organization’s mission and again deliver additional networking value to our members.

Membership Co-Chairs: Ann Smith/Andrea DeCola 

Board Officer Liaison: Secretary/Jessica Stearns

Click to Contact >  Email the Membership Committee

Scholarship & Grants Committee

In 2018, SWEP GP made the decision to combine the Scholarship and Grants into one committee. Although both awards are vetted, funded, and awarded separately, their process and mission are similar. 

SWEP GP's Scholarship arm of the committee awards scholarships to graduate women studying to pursue environmental careers. The committee selects outstanding young women to receive a monetary award as part of its mission to encourage and promote the leadership, achievement, and professional development of women in the environmental field. The committee solicits applicants each year, reviews applications, conducts interviews, and selects award recipients.

SWEP GP's Grants arm of the committee was established to help fund organizations or programs that creatively address a locally defined need to create, enhance, restore, or protect the natural environment or to provide environmental awareness through educational sessions. The committee solicits applicants, reviews applications, conducts interviews when necessary, and selects award recipients. Committee members are also responsible for following up with Grantees to ensure projects meet the original proposed scopes, budgets and deadlines, and that the other commitments of the Grantee are adhered to (e.g., monthly progress reports are submitted, a newsletter article is provided at the successful completion of the project, etc.).

Scholarship & Grants Chair: Jennifer Waters

Board Officer Liaison: Co-Treasurer/Jennifer Poole

Click to Contact > Email the Scholarship & Grants Committee

Social Programs Committee

The Social Programs Committee brings professionals together to learn and share experiences in a friendly environment. Monthly Networking Lunches are a staple of this committee, who choose an appropriate location, either in Center City or a suburban location, that can accommodate the members attending. New in 2018, the committee also hosted a Golf Lessons & Networking event, which they intend to grow each year. Networking breakfasts, Annual Holiday gatherings, Earth Day Volunteer work days, and many other opportunities to engage socially with like-minded professionals is also on the committee's plate.   

Social Programs Committee Chair: Erin  Rodgers

Board Officer Liaison: Secretary/Jessica Stearns

Click to Contact > Email the Social Programs Committee

Technical Programs Committee

The Technical Programs Committee aims to bring information and education on new and emerging environmental issues and technology to SWEP GP Members. Expert panels share their knowledge and perspectives on laws, regulations, and other developments on issues ranging from global climate change to bioremediation to emerging contaminants and more. SWEP GP's goal for this committee is to organize four or more technical-level programs each year, on topics that are of high interest to our members. The committee reaches out to area subject-matter experts and also works in conjunction with other area environmental organizations to develop key learning environments. SWEP GP is always looking to partner with Individual Members and/or Corporate Members to enhance our program offerings, to suggest or present on topics, and to host an event at their Center City or suburban location.

Technical Programs Committee Chair: Ammie Martin

Board Officer Liaison: Secretary/Jessica Stearns

Click to Contact > Email the Technical Programs Committee

Touchstone Awards Committee 

The Touchstone Awards Committee is responsible for coordinating SWEP GP's signature event - the Annual Touchstone Award Gala. Held every year in November, this event offers the perfect environment for professional networking, social engagement, and honoring the awardees deserving of the spotlight. Since 2018, this event has included the Scholarship & Grants reception so that all awardees are honored together in a single evening, with a full audience. The venue selection of a unique environmental landmark has helped the Gala to grow in size and reputation, with past events being held at the Philadelphia Water Works and the Phoenixville Foundry.   

Touchstone Awards Committee Chair: Erin  Rodgers

Board Officer Liaison: Co-Chair/Kristin Weiler

Click to Contact > Email the Touchstone Awards Committee

Website/Public Relations/Social Media Committee

This committee combines the mission of all three, to publicize and promote SWEP GP’s membership benefits, professional resources, and advertise events and member opportunities.  This committee also maintains SWEP GP's website and social networking sites (i.e. Twitter, Facebook, Linked-in and works with the other committees to promote the overall mission of SWEP GP.

Website/Chair/Social Media Co-Chair: Rebecca Buchanan/Ammie Martin

Board Officer Liaison: Chair/Rebecca Buchanan

Click to Contact > Email the Website/Public Relations/Social Media Committee