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• ASCE

Counselor Tara-

With all the political campaigning going on, are there any restrictions on what a Section or Branch can/cannot do as related to politics?

Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code grants tax-exempt status to organizations “operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes.” Tax exemption as a 501(c)(3) organization conveys a number of benefits that other non-profit organizations cannot offer, most notably, the ability for donors to take a charitable deduction for monies contributed to the 501(c)(3). However, in exchange for this favorable tax treatment, 501(c)(3) organizations are subject to several restrictions that other organizations, even other tax-exempt organizations, are not. One such restriction—and perhaps the restriction most commonly violated by charitable organizations—is the ban on involvement in political activities.

Section 501(c)(3) states that a charitable organization must not “participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office,” and organizations found to have violated this prohibition may lose their tax-exempt status and be subject to excise taxes on money spent in the political activity. In light of these penalties, it is essential for the leadership of a charitable organization to understand what types of activity are considered “intervention” in a political campaign.

To read the rest of the article, visit Politics.

ASCE is seeking recommendations for professional practice awards to honor distinguished civil engineers and be presented at the 2008 Annual Conference in Pittsburgh.  This is an opportunity for one of your local members to be nationally recognized.  The due date is March 1, for the following awards.* 

• John I. Parcel-Leif J. Sverdrup Civil Engineering Management Award                                                                                               For criteria, click here.
  
• Edmund Friedman Professional Recognition Award                        For criteria, click here.
  
• Civil Government Award                                                                For criteria, click here.
  
• Government Civil Engineer of the Year Award                                For criteria, click here.

Parcel-Sverdrup, Edmund Friedman, and Civil Government Award nominations may be submitted to Honors and Awards.  Government Civil Engineer of the Year Award nominations may be submitted to akarwoski@asce.org.  For questions, contact Alicia Karwoski.  For further information and downloadable forms, visit www.asce.org/awards. 

*You are encouraged to place this award nomination information in your Section/Branch newsletter and on your Web site.  A longer description of the awards for your newsletter/Web site is available by contacting akarwoski@asce.org.

Liquid Assets, a new documentary and outreach program being produced by Penn State Public Broadcasting and sponsored by ASCE, 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. Using the Liquid Assets resources as a model, ASCE will host a day-long, interactive workshop to help civil engineers and related professionals plan and conduct effective community outreach programs focused on infrastructure improvement. These one-day workshops will take place Jan. 10 in Baltimore, Jan. 24 in Austin and Feb.. 7 in Las Vegas. Topics to be covered include planning and executing effective community outreach program, working with media partners, funding your program and other related topics. Registration is free but space is limited. Advance registration is required.

For more information on the training session contact Katie Gorscak at (703) 295-6409 or kgorscak@asce.org. For more information on the Liquid Assets program, or to see a video preview, visit www.liquidassets.psu.edu.

ASCE Government Relations is sponsoring a series of advanced advocacy training for engineers.  Scheduled for the Thursday before the start of each of the 2008 Multi-Region Leadership Conferences, this three-hour program will provide participants with tips to improve anyone’s influence to achieve real results.  And guess what?  These techniques work in many situations, not just interactions with elected officials!  Join us to learn how you can be the best advocate on behalf of your profession.

Jan. 10

4-7 p.m.

Baltimore

RSVP to govwash@asce.org ASAP, no later than Jan. 7

Jan. 24

4-7 p.m.

Austin, TX

RSVP to govwash@asce.org ASAP, no later than Jan. 18

Feb.. 7

4-7 p.m.

Las Vegas

RSVP to govwash@asce.org ASAP, no later than Feb.1

These sessions are open to any ASCE members free of charge, whether you are planning to attend the Multi-Region Leadership Conference or not.

Download the Latest Member Value Ads

ASCE’s Online Advertising Library has the materials you need to spruce up your newsletters and marketing efforts.  The library features brand new member value ads as well as articles targeting both development and retention.  You may recognize the ads from ASCE News and Civil Engineering magazine that spotlight real ASCE members working on their projects.  Download the latest ads, in quarter or half page sizes, featuring Honorary Members, ASCE Champions, Section and Branch participation, members responding to disasters, Engineers Without Borders – USA and ASCE 2008 President David Mongan.  Download your materials today.

ASCE Announces 2008 OPAL Winners

ASCE has announced the winners of the OPAL Lifetime Achievement.  The 2008 recipients will be honored at the OPAL gala on April 30 in Arlington, Va.

The 2008 Winners include:

• Construction - William H. Luyties III, P.E., M.ASCE
• Design - Clyde N. Baker Jr., P.E., Hon.M.ASCE
• Education - Ernest T. Smerdon, Ph.D., P.E., Hon.M.ASCE
• Government - Gerald E. Galloway, Ph.D., P.E., Hon.D.WRE, Dist.M.ASCE, NAE
• Management - John M. Dionisio, P.E., M.ASCE

>>Read more details about how you and your members can help ASCE recognize the contributions of these outstanding individuals to civil engineering at the 2008 OPAL Awards. (www.asce.org/opal)

Membership Dues Were Due Jan. 1

ASCE membership dues were due January 1, 2008.  Encourage your members to renew as soon as possible if they have not already, and be sure your dues have been paid so that you are not placed in dues “arrears.” 

To ensure your dues payment was accepted, log on to www.asce.org/renewal.  Members who have paid will see a message indicating that they are in good standing, and the 2008 dues line will no longer appear as part of the renewal.

FTP Hint

Have You Recognized Your Renewed Members?

Give your members a personal touch by sending a thank you e-mail after they’ve renewed their membership.  The e-mail presents the opportunity to publicize valuable resources provided by your Section/Branch, encourages future dues payments, and doesn’t require a lot of your personal time.

Each Section/Branch has one File Transfer Protocol (FTP) account holder who can access the membership database.  To identify members who have recently paid Section dues, please see the “Section dues paid” field in the FTP database.  Those with a 2008 dues payment will have the payment date associated with that payment.

Contact Michael Cook at (800) 548-ASCE (2723) ext. 6121, (703) 295-6121 or mcook@asce.org with questions about how to use or access the membership database via FTP. 

New Resources for Society Awards Launched

ASCE has launched a valuable new resource for nominators of Society awards.  By the way, just how many Society awards does ASCE receive nominations for?  Need the answer?  Visit http://www.asce.org/awards to learn about Distinguished Members, OPAL Awards, and Society awards – who’s won past awards, how to nominate for awards and who to contact for further information. 

Feb. 1	Long Term Disaster Recovery Issues: Setting the Stage for Effective Long-Term Recovery, part II New Webinar
Feb. 5	Designing with Engineered Lumber**Now in 2 Hour Format*
Feb. 6	Personal Time Management: Work Smarter, Not Harder
Feb. 7	On-Site Circulation and Access Design for Commercial Developments ~Part I
Feb. 7-14	On-Site Circulation and Access Design for Commercial Developments ~ Full Series
Feb. 8	From Project Engineer to Project Manager: Look Before You Leap
Feb. 12	Renovation of Wood Trusses
Feb. 13	Design of Wood Beams and Joists New Webinar
Feb. 14	On-Site Circulation and Access Design for Commercial Developments ~Part II
Feb. 15	The New Marketplace – Achieving Success Through Stronger Client and Community Relationships New Webinar
Feb. 19	How To Plan Your Projects Effectively ~ Part I
Feb. 20	Design of Wood-Framed Sloped Roofs
Feb. 21	Intersection Design and Channelization
Feb. 22	Design of Wood Connections New Webinar
Feb. 26	How To Plan Your Projects Effectively ~ Part II
Feb. 27	Delegation: Why Put Off Until Tomorrow What Someone Else Can Do Today?
Feb. 28	Traffic Calming: Best Practices, Part I

Live P.E. Exam Review

Feb. 19	Live P.E. Exam Review I: Structural Analysis
Feb. 21	Live P.E. Exam Review II: Structural Design
Feb. 26	Live P.E. Exam Review III: Soil Mechanics
Feb. 28	Live P.E. Exam Review IV: Foundation Engineering
Mar. 4	Live P.E. Exam Review V: Hydraulics and Water Supply
Mar. 6	Live P.E. Exam Review VI: Open Channel Flow
Mar. 11	Live P.E. Exam Review VII: Steel Design
Mar. 13	Live P.E. Exam Review VIII: Water and Wastewater Treatment
Mar. 18	Live P.E. Exam Review IX: Traffic Engineering
Mar. 20	Live P.E. Exam Review X: Hydrology
Mar. 25	Live P.E. Exam Review XI: Surveying
Mar. 27	Live P.E. Exam Review XII: Construction Materials

Structural I P.E. Exam Review

Feb. 20	Structural I P.E. Exam Review I: Structural Analysis
Feb. 27	Structural I P.E. Exam Review II: Masonry Design
Mar 5	Structural I P.E. Exam Review III: Steel Design
Mar 12	Structural I P.E. Exam Review IV: Timber Design
Mar 19	Structural I P.E. Exam Review V: Concrete Design
Mar 26	Structural I P.E. Exam Review VI: Bridge Design

2008

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

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

June 1:

• Deadline for submission for the Outstanding Section and Branch Web Award Competition
• Nominations due for Ralph B. Peck Award, H. Bolton Seed Medal and the Professional Practice Ethics and Leadership Award

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 Distinguished 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. 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.