• New Model Section and Branch Governing Documents Now Available
  
  Maine Section Kicks Off "Engineers Into the Classroom" at Engineers Week Expo
  
  Sign Up and Join in ASCE's Region, Section & Branch Discussion Forums
  
  The Report Card is Coming--Are You Ready?
  
  The Institutes of ASCE--Did You Know?
  
  Mini-Grants Offered for Local Infrastructure Outreach Programs
  
  Pittsburgh Section EWRI Selected as Outstanding Technical Group
  
  Membership
  
  Geo-Institute Board Seeks Geotechnical Conference Site
  
  Conferences
  
  Continuing Education Webinars
  
  Mark Your Calendar
  
  Region Boards of Governors
  
  Committee on Geographic Units
  
  Executives
  
  Geographic Services Department
  
  Contact Information
  
• ASCE

Over the past year, the Committee on Geographic Units (CGU) has been updating the Model Section Constitution and Bylaws and Branch Bylaws document. This document serves as an example of what your Section and Branch governing documents should contain and how they should be formatted. Our work on this document is now finished, and it is ready for your use. We are aware that many of you have begun reviewing your governing documents, or are planning to do so, and hope this will be a helpful tool for you.

These new documents can be found on the ASCE Web site.

CGU recommends that you review and update the governing documents in your Section and Branch periodically, about every five years. The update should correct references to ASCE structure and processes and be altered to reflect actual operations in your unit. Amendments to Section documents need to be approved by CGU (preferably before you put them out to a membership vote), but amendments to Branch and group documents are approved by the Section Board.

The new model documents are a guideline, and it is not necessary to make your documents look exactly like these. However, there are some features in these documents that will clarify your operations (amendment procedures, membership classifications, definition of officer roles, consistent numbering of Articles, etc), and some that are essential requirements (tax status, limitations on lobbying, etc.). We urge you to initiate a process to review and update your documents.

The Maine Section ASCE kicked off its Engineers Into the Classroom initiative at Engineers Week 2008 Expo on March 1 at the University of Maine.  In spite of nearly a foot of new snow the morning and day of the Expo, more than 800 people attended the Expo, which included 52 exhibits by engineering firms, professional societies, and educational groups.  The Maine Section launched the West Point Bridge Design Local Competition with engaging, hands-on interactive demonstrations of the contest.  After the storm-related coverage, the Expo was the lead weekend story on NBC affiliatesand was covered by the Bangor Daily News as can be seen here. 

The Maine Engineering Promotion Council, through the support of Maine Section ASCE and other sponsors, has developed an annual program to attract the best and brightest school-aged children toward careers in the engineering profession.  This year MEPC produced the “Engineerz!” rock-video television commercial and a companion radio spot that ran statewide in the weeks leading up to the Engineers Week Expo.  The TV commercial and radio version recognized the support of the American Society of Civil Engineers by logo and name mention.  View and hear the commercials at the MEPC website: http://www.engineeringME.com.  The TV ad has also been posted on YouTube and has been viewed nearly 11,000 times!

The Maine Section will continue its Engineers into the Classroom initiative through the West Point Bridge design contest and through development of the Section’s “how-to” brochure for schools and engineers to encourage civil engineering outreach in K-12 classrooms.  Through the support of ASCE’s State Public Affairs Program, the Maine Section is developing a grassroots effort to foster Maine students’ understanding of how civil engineers affect their daily lives and to encourage its best students to pursue a career in civil engineering.

Contact Erik Wiberg (ewiberg@rwg-a.com or 207-286-8008), Maine Section president-elect for more information.

Several months ago, Geographic Services launched two online discussion forums, one for Section and Branches and one for Regions.

These forums can be used to address existing and ongoing challenges and issues, such as how to conduct a successful meeting, recruiting and retaining members, attracting members to ASCE functions and other topics of similar nature.

To access this online forum, please follow this link: http://live.asce.org/forum. Click on the “Login/Register” link at the top of the page, followed by the “Create Account” button at the bottom of the next page and provide the required information. The forums can also be accessed by visiting the "My Profile" portion of the ASCE web site, under "What's New?"

All users must register for an account to create topics and post messages. 

For more information, please contact Jennifer Lawrence, Manager, at jlawrence@asce.org or by calling 703-295-6255 or 800-548-2723, ext. 6255.

As ASCE prepares to compile the 2009 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, Key Contacts will play an important role in our efforts.  Make sure you, your fellow leaders and your members are in the loop!

Step 1:  Join the Key Contact Program.  Key Contacts are the first to hear about public policy developments affecting civil engineering.  There is no extra charge for ASCE members.  Visit http://www.asce.org/keycontacts

Step 2:  Join the conversation on the Our Failing Infrastructure blog.  Visit http://www.asce.org/govrel and click on the link at the top of the page.

Step 3:  Take it to another level and join the “Save America’s Infrastructure” group on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10325597594  (you need to be a member of Facebook, but don’t worry, it’s free to join!)

An important note:  Steps 2 and 3 begin to reach out to the general public beyond just civil engineers, so let your friends and neighbors know.  This is an important part of the overall effort to raise public awareness of this problem.

Questions?  Comments?  Let us know at govwash@asce.org or call ASCE’s Washington Office at 202-789-7850.

by Sheila Carpenter-van Dijk

West Coast Branch Membership Champion

ASCE, founded in 1852, has a distinguished history of providing you, as a civil engineer the products, services, and resources designed to help you meet career goals — whether you are new in the profession — or are proudly looking back on a lifetime of achievements.

Beginning in 1997, ASCE reached out to professionals in the engineering field who were not engineers through the creation of “Institutes,”  specialty organizations with diverse members, all of whom are bonded together by their shared interests.  Institute members may be non-ASCE members or members of ASCE.  It is not required to be a member of ASCE to be an Institute member.   Each Institute strives to lead in the development and dissemination of new and evolving technology within their specialty areas of civil engineering.  Each Institute sponsors conferences, symposiums and workshops in their particular specialty. 

The Institutes work to advance the knowledge and practice of specific civil engineering specialties by focusing on the technical, educational, and professional issues within a specific area. Membership in one of ASCE's Institutes brings you together with other professionals within the specialty and provides you with a variety of additional resources.

ASCE members have the opportunity to select membership in one of ASCE's technical specialty Institutes — at no additional cost.    When you renew your ASCE membership, check the box on the membership application form of the Institute which matches your interests.  If you have already renewed, you can select membership at any time in any of ASCE’s Institutes by updating the “membership” tab within your profile on ASCE’s website: www.asce.org.  The first Institute membership is free; additional Institute memberships are available for $20 each.   

Which Institute is right for you?

• Geo Institute (G-I)
• Structural Engineering Institute (SEI)
• Architectural Engineering Institute (AEI)
• Environmental Water Resources Institute (EWRI)
• Coasts, Oceans, Ports, and Rivers Institute (COPRI)
• Construction Institute (CI)
• Transportation and Development Institute (T&DI)
• Engineering Mechanics Institute (EMI)

Geo Institute

http://content.geoinstitute.org/

Founded October 1, 1996, G-I is focused on the geo-industry.  Members include scientists, engineers, technologists, and organizations interested in improving the environment, mitigating natural hazards, and economically constructing engineered facilities.

Structural Engineering Institute

http://content.seinstitute.org/

SEI began October 1, 1996 to serve the unique needs of the structural engineering community more effectively while also being their voice on broader issues that shape the entire civil engineering community.  Members include those in the structural engineering practice and academia, therefore SEI provides networking opportunities while also stimulating coordination and understanding between academia and practicing engineers – thereby driving the practical application of cutting edge research.

Architectural Engineering Institute

http://content.aeinstitute.org

AEI began October 1, 1998.  Membership is open to both engineers and architects who are involved in the construction, structural, electrical and mechanical engineering of buildings. Students in architectural engineering programs can also become members of AEI to take advantage of the networking possibilities available through AEI.

Architectural engineers generally specialize in one of a number of disciplines related to building design and construction including: structural engineering; electrical engineering (with an emphasis on building systems design); heating, ventilation and air conditioning; lighting; or construction. Each specialty area requires very different talents and responsibilities; however, all architectural engineers have a common interest in buildings.

Environmental Water Resources Institute

http://content.ewrinstitute.org/

EWRI began October 1, 1999 and strives to be the leader for integrating technical expertise and public policy into the planning, design, construction, operation, management and regulation of environmentally sound and sustainable infrastructure involving air, land and water resources.  EWRI membership includes professionals and engineers in the broad spectrum of the environmental and water resources areas.

Coasts, Oceans, Ports, and Rivers Institutehttp://content.coprinstitute.org/index.htm

Beginning October 1, 2000, COPRI's services were designed to complement ASCE's traditional civil engineering base, and to attract new categories of members (non-civil engineer allied professionals) who seek to enhance their professional and technical development.

COPRI serves as the multi disciplinary and international leader in improving the knowledge, teaching, development, and practice of civil engineering and other disciplines working in waterway environments.

Construction Institute (CI)

http://content.constructioninst.org

Started in October 1, 2000, CI was the first national organization designed to meet the needs of all individuals working within the construction industry. Membership not only includes those persons involved in building the construction project, designing the construction project and teaching construction, but also equipment suppliers, material suppliers, testing laboratories, bonding agencies, insurance providers, financial firms, accounting firms, and legal firms that support and contribute to the growth and development of the construction industry.

Transportation and Development Institute

http://content.tanddi.org

Since October 1, 2002, the mission of the T&DI has been to promote the interdependence of transportation, land development and the environment, while uniting the disciplines of planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance and research in support of sustainable development. By providing a multidisciplinary focus for professional communication, education and collaboration, the Institute strives to enhance the professional knowledge and skills of its members so that they may improve the quality of life. The Institute  brings together engineers, planners, industry representatives, citizen groups, developers, public officials and others dedicated to improving transportation and fostering appropriate development decisions at the local, regional, state, national and international levels.

Engineering Mechanics Institute (EMI)

http://www.engmechinstitute.org

EMI, as the newest Institute, chartered October 1, 2007, represents engineering mechanics by serving the needs of the world-wide engineering community and promoting both research and application of scientific and mathematical principles to address a broad spectrum of existing and emerging engineering and societal problems. EMI replaces the former ASCE Engineering Mechanics Division.

For 2008, ASCE has created a special SPAG Mini-Grant program to further support ASCE Sections and Branches working specifically to increase public support for infrastructure renewal. These mini-grants are intended to help Sections and Branches broaden community engagement in and focus on solutions for local infrastructure concerns. The mini-grant program provides a perfect opportunity to get involved locally in infrastructure outreach programs, including Liquid Assets, a new documentary and outreach program produced by Penn State Public Broadcasting and sponsored by ASCE. This program aims to educate the public on the condition of drinking water, wastewater and storm water infrastructure in the U.S. and drive community action for its improvement. Proposals for mini-grants must be postmarked, faxed or submitted electronically by May 1, and notification of awards will be made by May 16.

>>For additional information and Mini-Grant guidelines, contact Camille Haley at chaley@asce.org

>> For more information on the Liquid Assets documentary, visit www.liquidassets.psu.edu.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Pittsburgh Section Environmental and Water Resources Institute (EWRI) has been selected as the winner of the 2008 EWRI Section & Branch Activities Council Outstanding Technical Group Award. The Section was initiated in 2000 originally as the Water Resources Technical Group.  In 2002, the Section of the ASCE Pittsburgh Section Bylaws governing the Water Resources Technical Group was modified to create an EWRI Chapter.  Following ratification by the Section Board of Directors, they were sent to EWRI National.

Since 2002, the Chapter has had three Chairs (as well as a Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer) who have all played a large role in the initial and continued success of EWRI.  Greg Scott, P.E. of Chester Engineers, served from 2002 to 2004, Robert Dengler, P.E. of Gannett Fleming, served from 2004-2006, and Jason McBride, P.E. of Gannett Fleming, has served from 2006 to present.  The EWRI Chair is a voting member of the ASCE Pittsburgh Section Board. 

EWRI Pittsburgh has been extremely active sponsoring eight activities in the 2006-2007 operating year and seven activities in the 2007-2008 operating year.  Activities have included several independently run as well as cosponsored dinner presentations, cosponsored day-long review courses and certification testing, facility tours, exhibiting at cooperative organizations events, teaming with ASCE National on local seminars, and one day-long seminar each operating year. 

The most recent event was the First Annual Sustainability Conference held March 27.  EWRI in association with the Allegheny Mountain section of the Air & Waste Management Association (AWMA) and Sustainable Pittsburgh’s Champions for Sustainability (C4S) are convening a day-long regional conversation about climate change, its impacts and our responses.  Eight speakers from industry, academia and regulatory agencies will present on human impacts as well as natural cycles of climate change, regulatory issues, impacts on business, measuring carbon footprint and legal and financial aspects of carbon trading and offsetting. 

The above events as well as planned activities have and will continue to present the members of ASCE and EWRI value for their membership.  The Pittsburgh Chapter’s hard work exemplifies the Section and Branch Activities Council Award.  Jason McBride will accept this award on behalf of the Chapter at the Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2008 in Honolulu. 

Help Graduating Students Find the Path to ASCE

An estimated 7,000 ASCE Student Members will graduate in May, and not all of them will stick with civil engineering.  Today’s graduate faces both the decision to advance their ASCE membership and whether or not to stay with civil engineering at all.

Talk to May grads in your area, tell them about your positive experiences with ASCE and remind them about important benefits:

Help local students make the right decision and demonstrate just how valuable, and fun, membership in ASCE can be.

Download a PowerPoint presentation to deliver to students in your area that highlights the benefits of ASCE membership. Click here.

Membership Data Hint of the Month

Sections and Branches can use membership data to recognize members who have achieved significant milestones in their ASCE membership. Consider honoring these members at meetings; listing them in your Section/Branch newsletter; and contacting them with a personal e-mail, phone call or letter thanking them for their support of ASCE.

Life Members

Life Members are identified in your membership data by a “yes” in the Life Member Code field. In addition, the Life Year field lists the year in which a member either became a Life Member or will become one in the future.

To identify new Life Members, simply sort the data by “yes” in the Life Member Code field and then sort by the Life Year field – members who have a “yes” in the Life Member Code field and “2008” in the Life Year field have recently become Life Members.

Membership Anniversaries

To identify members who have achieved significant membership “anniversaries,” such as 20, 25 or 30 years of ASCE membership, just look at the Election Date field in your membership data. For example, a member who joined ASCE in 1983 has reached their 25th year of ASCE membership in 2008.

If you have any questions about how to use or access membership data via FTP (File Transfer Protocol), contact Michael Cook at 800-548-ASCE (2723) ext. 6121, 703-295-6121 or mcook@asce.org.

Limited Seats Still Available for OPAL

Remind your members that a limited number of tickets are still available for The Outstanding Projects and Leaders (OPAL) Awards Gala.  The preeminent awards program for civil engineers, OPAL honors the contributions and accomplishments of the civil engineering community. Members should make plans now to attend this year's Gala on April 30 in Arlington, Va. Tickets are available for purchase online or by contacting ASCE Customer Service at (800) 548-2723. Tickets for the Gala are $275 each with tables of eight available for $2,000 (all but $115 of each ticket purchased is tax-deductible). Sponsorships are available through the ASCE Foundation at 703-295-6347.

2007 Outstanding Membership Champion – Shawn Kelley, Ph.D., M.ASCE

Congratulations to Shawn Kelley, Ph.D., M.ASCE for being voted the 2007 ASCE Outstanding Membership Champion.  Your Section/Branch Membership Champion can be key in the success of your Membership Drive, as well as membership growth and retention.  Now is the time to recognize your Champion for his/her hard work by submitting a nomination for the 2008 Outstanding Membership Champion Award.

The winner and the Section, selected by the ASCE Membership Committee at last fall's meeting, will each receive $250. 

>>Nominate your Champion today.

Help ASCE Recognize Exceptional Engineers

The search for those worthy of the elite member grade of Distinguished Member, Class of 2009, is currently open and your nominations are encouraged by the Oct. 1 deadline.  An ASCE Distinguished Member is an ASCE Fellow or Member who has attained acknowledged eminence in some branch of engineering or in its related arts and sciences.  Potential candidates have a career of firsts, such as patents, or have worldwide reputations for outstanding work in their fields. Also being accepted until Oct. 1 are nominations for the 2009 OPAL (Outstanding Projects And Leaders) Awards.  For more information and helpful downloads, visit www.asce.org/awards.

The Geo-Institute Board of Governors is interested in holding its Fall Board meeting and brief G-I president induction ceremony as part of an ASCE geotechnical group conference. This request is part of the Board's strategic plan to reach out to its local group members. Additionally, the Board also hosts a pre-opening conference reception for the conference Organizing Committee, as well as local geotechnical group officers in an attempt to discuss local issues and receive feedback from its members. If your group will be holding its annual conference and/or large meeting event in early October and would like the G-I Board to attend, please contact Linda Bayer at lbayer@asce.org; or 703-295-6162 for information. 

Inaugural International Conference of the Engineering Mechanics Institute (EM08)

Department of Civil Engineering
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
May 18-21, 2008

Check out our exciting program, and register at: http://www.cce.umn.edu/conferences/em08/

GEESD IV

GEESD IV is the fourth decennial Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics Conference.  This year the conference is taking place in beautiful Sacramento, Calif. from May 18-22, 2008.  GEESD IV will bring together the broad community of geo-professionals working on earthquake engineering and soil dynamics problems for this comprehensive decennial examination of our technical disciplines. There are only a few short weeks left, visit the conference Web site and register today!

April 30: Outstanding Projects And Leaders Gala (OPAL), Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, Va

May 1: Alfred Noble Prize (awarded jointly by ASCE & others)

June 1:

• Deadline for submission for the Outstanding Section and Branch Web Award Competition

• Nominations due for Ralph B. Peck Award, The Professional Practice Ethics and Leadership Award, and H. Bolton Seed Medal

Aug. 1: Nominations due for Younger Member Employer Recognition Award

Aug. 1: Submission deadline for the State Public Affairs Grant Activity Report

Aug. 15: Nominations due for Casagrande, Construction Management, Kapp and Terzaghi Awards

Oct. 1:

• Nomination deadline for Honorary Members, OPAL and Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prizes  
• Outstanding Membership Champion nominations due

Oct. 30:

• Nominations due for the Workshops for Section and Branch Leaders and the Younger Member Council Meetings
• Nominations due for the National Outstanding Section/Branch Award

Nov. 1:

• Submission deadline for the Outstanding Section and Branch Newsletter Award

• Nomination deadline for Arid Lands, Bartholomew, Bechtel Pipeline, Bechtel, Jr. Energy, Bickel, Biot, Can-Am, Cermak, Chow, History and Heritage, Computing in CE, Croes, Duke, Einstein, Freese, Freudenthal, Greeley, Shortridge Hardesty, Herring, Hilgard, Hinds, Hoffman, Horner, Howard, Hydraulic Structures, Innovation in CE, International Coastal, Laurie, Lynn, Masters, Middlebrooks, Moffatt-Nichol, Moisseiff, Newmark, Norman, Peurifoy, President’s Medal, Reese, Rickey, Roebling, Hunter Rouse, Rowland, Scanlan, Smith, State-of-the-Art, Stevens, Surveying and Mapping, Terzaghi, Tipton, Turner, von Karman, Wellington, Winter, Wisely.

Nov. 6:  Younger Member Leadership Symposium, Pittsburgh

Nov. 8: Annual Business Meeting with Society Awards Presentation, Pittsburgh

Nov. 8-9: Council of Presidents Meeting, Pittsburgh

Nov. 9: State Public Affairs Grant applications due

Nov. 30: Section Annual Reports are due at ASCE World Headquarters

             Region Annual Reports are due at ASCE World Headquarters

January 9-10: Regions 3, 6, & 7 Multi-Regionl Leadership Conference,

                     Denver

January 23-24: Regions 8 & 9 Multi-Region Leadership Conference,

                      San Francisco

Feb. 1: Nomination deadline for Collingwood Prize, Edmund Friedman Young Engineer, Mead for Younger Members, Younger Member Group Award

Feb. 6-7: Regions 1, 2, 4, & 5 Multi-Region Leadership Confernece

             Cherry Hill, N.J.

March 1: Nomination deadline for Civil Government Award, Edmund Friedman Professional Recognition Award, Daniel W. Mead Prize for Students, John I. Parcel-Leif J. Sverdrup Civil Engineering Management Award

April 1: Nomination deadline for Harold R. Peyton Award for Cold Regions Engineering