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HEALTH AND SANITATION
David Viola , IAPMO CEO
In the spirit of the sharing of unique experiences that shape the plumbing industries in our respective nations , the following article looks at how IAPMO relies on partnerships to help fulfill its mission around the world . Written by IAPMO Senior Vice President of Training and Credential Services , Tony Marcello , it is the next in a regular series of similar articles that will run in this magazine .
“ Good friendships are based on mutual interests , respect and trust .”
Dreamtime
From the Beatles to Legionella : What they both teach us about partnerships
By
Tony Marcello
Have you heard of the Beatles ? They were kind of a big deal , and many people still consider them one of the greatest and most influential bands to ever perform .
Those who are familiar with the Beatles ’ catalogue of music are likely very familiar with their song ‘ With a Little Help from My Friends ’. The song was a hit for the Beatles but became even more widely known when Joe Cocker covered the song , and it eventually became the theme song for the hit ’ 80s TV show ‘ The Wonder Years ’. The song ’ s message centres around needing your friends to get through various challenges in your life ; a message that can be readily applied to IAPMO and our mission to provide safe and clean , potable water to everyone .
IAPMO is an organisation dedicated to bringing the basic human right of healthy drinking water to as many people as we can , both within the United States and around the world . But , as a single not-for-profit organisation , we can ’ t do everything all on our own . Recognising that we can better fulfill our mission by utilising the strengths , expertise and connections of other organisations that have similar goals , IAPMO actively reaches out to create partnerships around the industry so we can supplement our strengths with the strengths of other organisations .
Good friendships are based on mutual interests , respect , and trust , and IAPMO approaches its partnerships in the same manner . We value the partnership as much as the end goal . Rather than focusing purely on the “ what ’ s in it for me ” aspects of a partnership , we strive to ensure that our partners ’ interests are a priority , and they feel good about the work they do with IAPMO . We do this by putting a lot of effort into ensuring that everything that goes into the partnership is done so ethically , and every aspect of the partnership is transparent and is considerate of our partners ’ needs and goals .
Have you heard of Legionella ? It ’ s been kind of a big deal around the plumbing industry lately . In recent years , there has been a laser focus on Legionella and Legionnaire ’ s Disease as outbreaks are reported , and the bacteria and how it grows becomes better understood . Recognising the importance of protecting plumbing systems and the people they serve from Legionella , IAPMO desired to find more ways to help via training and credentialing professionals that are responsible for plumbing systems within buildings . However , we knew we would need some help from a friend .
The first step was , well , to make a friend – the right kind of friend with whom to partner – who had the experience , knowledge , and reputation to help us be as successful as possible . We reached out to Special Pathogens Laboratory and Dr Janet E . Stout , who had the strengths we needed to supplement our own , to put together toptier training and help work toward the development of the ASSE 12080 Professional Qualifications Standard and the related certification .
“ Through this exciting collaboration , the right people and organisations came together to advance our goal to
www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline March 2022 Volume 28 I Number 1