Virginia Rural Water Association

The Empowered Team Project


The leadership certification program for the rural water and wastewater industry.


Cultivating a work environment  where everyone “feels” like "us," 
valued, respected, and integral to the collective whole.

- Brian McReynolds (Founder of TETP)     


Watch the video of the first Living and Leading with Integrity cohort.


Rural communities face unique challenges in accessing clean, safe water. The traditional approach often involves external organizations providing funding and expertise. While invaluable, this approach can inadvertently create a "dependency trap" where communities rely on outside aid rather than developing their own capacity for long-term solutions.




A Complementary Approach to Sustainable Solutions

The Empowered Team Project (TETP) offers a complementary approach that strengthens the impact of existing funding and resources. Rather than simply providing aid, TETP empowers local teams to take ownership of their water projects. By investing in local capacity, TETP ensures that communities have the skills, knowledge, and confidence to manage their water systems sustainably, maximizing the impact of any external investment.


Key Elements of Empowerment

TETP's model is rooted in four key principles:

Local Knowledge

Recognizing that community members possess invaluable knowledge about their local context, challenges, and priorities, TETP leverages this expertise to co-create solutions that are truly relevant and sustainable.

Capacity Building

TETP provides comprehensive training and resources that enhance the skills and knowledge of local teams, ensuring they have the capacity to manage their water systems independently.

Collaboration

TETP fosters a collaborative environment where community members, local leaders, and external experts work together towards a shared vision, maximizing the collective impact of all stakeholders.

Sustainability

TETP prioritizes long-term solutions that address the root causes of water scarcity and ensure equitable access for all, building resilience and self-sufficiency within the community.


Recognizing Teams that have joined The Empowered Team Project

These teams have demonstrated a strong commitment to empowerment by ensuring the presence of both LLWI Master Practitioners and LLWI Practitioners within their ranks. This collaborative structure embodies the very essence of TETP, where shared knowledge and mutual support drive organizational transformation. We celebrate their dedication to creating empowered teams and look forward to working alongside them.


Maury Service Authority 

Rockingham County Public Works 

City of Waynesboro 



TETP Training Programs:

Contact VRWA at email@vrwa.org if you are interested in participating in any of the programs/training. 

Legacy Programs 
(11-Week Base Program)

Living and Leading with Integrity: A Leader’s Journey Program

  • LLWI Practitioner
  • LLWI Practitioner Practicum with Community Forum
  • Practicum – Starting the Journey (Employee)
  • Practicum – Awaken Change (Aspiring Leader)
  • Practicum – Ownership (Team Leader)
  • Practicum – Healthy Team (Supervisor)
  • Practicum – Connectedness (Director)

Living and Leading with Integrity: Master Practitioner

Catalyst Programs 
(8-Week Program)

The Shift Method

  • Skills Series
  • Elevation Communication
  • Building Boundaries for Sustainable Teams
  • Critical Thinking and Feeling
  • Strategies Series
  • See with Clarity
  • Unleash the Power of Collaboration
  • Cultivating Consensus
  • Planning for Success
  • The Art of Follow-Through
The Blueprint Sessions 
(1-Hour or 5-Hour)
  • The Well-Informed, Sustainable Community: A Water Workshop for Elected Officials
  • The Flow of Information: Nurturing a Water-Wise Community
  • The Power of We: Bridging the Generation Divide through Shared Values
  • The Empowered Communicator: Mastering Language Skills with AI Prompts
  • The Empowered Team Treatment Train
  • Ignite Your Leadership Potential: A Pre-Leadership Intensive
  • The Water Works Challenge: Compose Your Team's Anthem
  • Guardians of Water: Reigniting Passion for the Essential Work of Water
Starting the Journey Practicum

Water Recovery Guardian Class I

  • Workplace Safety and Health Essentials
  • Fostering a Respectful Workplace
  • Emergency Response and Preparedness
  • Fundamentals of Wastewater Treatment
  • Professional Integrity and Conduct
  • Certification Success Strategies
  • Practical Math for Wastewater Operations

Water Resource Guardian Class V

  • Workplace Safety and Health Essentials
  • Fostering a Respectful Workplace
  • Emergency Response and Preparedness
  • Fundamentals of Water Treatment
  • Professional Integrity and Conduct
  • Certification Success Strategies
  • Practical Math for Water Operations