A Unique Kansas City Network

Our members are as diverse as they come, we are definitely not just engineers.

​

We always need members to help with design, fundraising, local volunteer events, and strategic planning. Here is some basic Q&A about us, as you consider becoming a member:

​

1. What is Engineers Without Borders about?

We are all about providing critical infrastructure to communities in need.

​

2. How do I get involved in EWB-KC?

    It’s simple! Just follow the bullets below!​

​

• Sign up on the Google Form here: Member Info

• Like our Facebook page here: Facebook

• Start coming to chapter meetings, on the first Monday of every month, as well as other events, happy hours, and fundraisers (see Facebook or Website for event calendar)​

​

3. How do I learn about upcoming events and opportunities to get involved?

​

• Read the monthly newsletter! When you sign up on the Google form above, you will begin receiving the emailed newsletter, which contains chapter news, upcoming events and relevant involvement opportunities.

• Look for events being added to our Facebook page. Join our group to get notified of a new event: EWB-KC Facebook Group

• Check the website calendar at ewbkc.org.

• Ask an officer to join our Slack group, which we use sparingly to remind members of upcoming meetings and events

• Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions. Reach the current Recruitment officer at recruitment.ewbkc@gmail.com. Contact information for other members of the Leadership Team can be found here: https://www.ewbkc.org/meet-our-team

​

4. What international projects is the chapter currently working on?

​

• La Cuchilla, Dominican Republic - Water Supply & Distribution

  • Increasing water availability and system reliability for community of 450 residents by:

    • Drilling a new well to replace the deteriorating, ill-functioning existing well (Completed - Dec. 2018)

    • Install additional water distribution pipes to ensure water availability to all residents (Completed - Dec. 2018)

    • Construct a pump house to securely house the well, controls and maintenance equipment

    • Install a new pump capable of filling the storage tank faster and running on multiple power sources

    • Install an adequate, reliable power source for the new well pump

  • Learn more here: https://www.ewbkc.org/la-cuchilla

​

• Los Chunureles 2, Guatemala - Water Storage & Distribution

  • Construct a water storage tank to regulate peaks in water demand and address existing peak-hour water shortages 

  • Install a pipe system to connect the source to the new tank, and the tank to the homes, 25% of which do not currently have running water

  • Perform water quality tests to determine the potability of the current water source and design a treatment system as required

  • Install water treatment system

​

5. What engineering areas does EWB-KC work in?

​

• Water – Supply, Quality, Piping

• Electrical – Generation, Distribution, Storage

• Structural – Foundations, Steel, Misc. Structures

• Environmental – Water Quality, Erosion Mitigation, Climate Change

​

6. I want to get involved but can’t/don’t want to travel abroad. What can I do?

​

• International Projects - the travel team makes up only a small number of members who contribute to an international project. You can be a part of the project team and make meaningful contributions without travelling. 

​

• Local & Domestic Projects - help out closer to home by lending your expertise to a low-income community in the U.S. in need of basic-needs infrastructure. Learn more about the domestic project we have completed here: https://www.ewbkc.org/projects

​

• Quarterly Fundraising Events - these are fun and we can’t do the life-changing engineering projects without them! We need help finding appropriate events, acquiring raffle donations, scheduling venues and advertising.

​

• Community Service work in the Kansas City area - while our focus is in international developing areas, we don’t forget to give back to our own community.

​

• Mentor to a Student Chapter

  • there are five local student chapters near Kansas City (KSU, KU, MU, MS&T, UMKC)

  • Provide engineering guidance, reviews if needed, and be a resource for the students for all things EWB - sometimes this just means offering advice on how to organize their chapter leadership or offering fundraising tips

​

• Be a Responsible Engineer-In-Charge (REIC)

  • Performs quality reviews of domestic or international projects within or outside of chapter

  • For members with some engineering experience (PE or other experience requirements may be prerequisite)

  • especially critical since projects cannot be started without an REIC

  • student chapters often look to the professional chapters for an REIC