My Profile
Josie Tellers
Josie has demonstrated exceptional leadership in coordinating and organizing AC events. She single-handedly managed the preconference workshop for AC24, and for AC25, when there were insufficient abstracts, she mobilized task force teams to curate 9 sessions for AC25, 6 for P3S 2025, and multiple sessions for Northern and Southern Safety Days.
Under Josie’s leadership, CWEA developed strong partnerships with ELAP, including the first-ever live Q&A session between ELAP and CWEA members. Josie has been a driving force in nurturing these relationships, ensuring ELAP’s continued presence at CWEA conferences and at the committee’s bimonthly meetings.
She has also prioritized succession planning by creating a new “Secretary” position to mentor future leaders. Additionally, Josie mobilized workgroups to lead key committee initiatives.
The success of lab events can be attributed to Josie’s unwavering commitment to serving members, fostering networking opportunities, and creating a collaborative, supportive environment for operational excellence.
Purpose
The Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers (5S) is used by water environment associations (i.e., those working with sewage and sewage treatment) to honour those who have made a particular contribution to the industry.
Pennsylvania started the High Hat Society in 1937 and used the words "Sludge Shovelers Society" in its initiation ceremony. Later, this became known as the Ted Moses Sludge Shovelers Society. The second Chapter of the Five S Society was formed in Arizona in October 1940, the idea being conceived by A.W. "Dusty" Miller and F. Carlyle Roberts, Jr. There are chapters in many of the United States and in Canada, as well as the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.
5S chapters do not accept applications, but select potential members. Each inductee receives a badge in the form of a gold tie bar in the shape of a round-nosed shovel.
5S recognizes individuals active in protecting the water environment through participation in Local, State, and/or Federal sponsored activities for five years or more.