November 2006

• Region at a Glance--REGION 1
  
  Council of Presidents at Annual Conference
  
  And the Award Goes To...
  
  Leadership Training in Government Relations Applications Available
  
  Have You Promoted the Key Contact Program Lately?
  
  Are You the New Face of Civil Engineering?
  
  Legal News: Liquor Serving and Liability
  
  Membership
  
  AAWRE Accepting Online Applications
  
  Continuing Education Webinars
  
  TISP Breakfast Featuring R. David Paulison
  
  Mark Your Calendar!
  
  Region Boards of Governors
  
  Committee on Geographic Units
  
  Executives
  
  Geographic Services Department
  
  Contact Information
  
  Region Boards of Governors
  
  Committee on Geographic Units
  
  Executives
  
  Geographic Services Department
  
  Contact Information
  
• ASCE

Anthony Puntin, P.E.

Region 1 Governor

Background

As most of you are aware, ASCE National has restructured its governing body over the past several years.  This was done in an attempt to bring the Sections closer to the National-decision-making level.  Many meetings and teleconferences were held over the past two years during the formation of our Region.  A detailed description of Region 1 can be seen at our website: www.region1.asce.org.  The leadership of the Region is as follows:

Robin Kemper (NJ Section), Director, Region 1 Chair

Andy Herrmann (Metropolitan Section), Director, Vice Chair, Region 1

Leonard Cilli (NJ Section), Governor

Paul Moyer (BSCE Section) Director, Governor

Tony Puntin (NH Section)

George Cotroneo (Buffalo Section)

Mark Rusnica (Mohawk-Hudson Section)

Billy Cunningham (CSCE Section)

Anni Autio, Vice President, Regions 1 & 2

Region 1 Assembly

The first Region 1 Assembly met on Sept. 15 in Lake George, NY.  The event was attended by representatives from almost all of the Sections and Branches in Region 1. Here are some highlights:

Strategic Issues – A good deal of time was dedicated to reviewing and ranking a list of Professional and Association Issues from ASCE National.  The intent of the discussion was to rank each issue as low, medium, or high priority.  This basic exercise is occurring throughout country.  The top issues will then be the focus of National.  This list has been distributed to the Presidents of each Section for their input.

Political Action Committee (PAC)– Brian Pallasch from the Government Relations group in DC spoke at length regarding the current task force appointed to explore the possibility of creating a 501(c)(6) arm of ASCE.  This will allow for increased lobbying limits and also allow for the creation of a Political Action Committee (PAC).

 

Close to 50 Section and Branch Presidents recently attended the Council of Presidents at the ASCE Annual Conference in Chicago. Information was presented on Continuing Education, Championing the Infrastructure, the State Public Affairs Program, Media Coverage, Resolving Difficult Section/Branch Challenges and Issues, Region Activities, Strategic Issues, Civil Engineering Forum for Innovation, West Point Bridge Design Contest, Policy 465, and interface with local Technical Groups and Institute Chapters. Roundtable discussions allowed for questions to be addressed and best practices to be shared.

At the Leadership Breakfast the following morning, several successful Sections and Branches were honored for their good work. Newly installed President William F. Marcuson, Ph.D., P.E. Hon.M.ASCE and President-Elect David G. Mongan, P.E., F.ASCE provided attendees with their insights for the future of ASCE and fielded questions about topics of interest.

The 2006 recipient of ASCE’s Excellence in Journalism Award is Larry Van Dyne of Washingtonian magazine. Van Dyne was honored for his outstanding coverage of the history and contributions of bridges and bridge building in the Nation’s capitol – including the ongoing reconstruction of the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge, “A City of Bridges,” March 2006. The award is given in honor of superior news coverage of civil engineers and civil engineering issues that improves the public’s understanding of the profession. If you have read a good news story on civil engineering or know a journalist who consistently covers local projects, nominate them for the 2007 ASCE Excellence in Journalism Award.

For additional information

http://www.asce.org/pressroom/honors/excel_journalism.cfm

Applications for the 2007 Leadership Training in Government Relations Program, or the “Legislative Fly-In,” March 7-8, 2007 in Washington, D.C. are now available on the ASCE website at http://www.asce.org/govrel . Click on ‘Leadership Training in Government Relations’ under Programs/Resources.

This one-and-a-half day program provides Section leaders and interested ASCE members with training on important civil engineering issues and how to establish and maintain relationships with elected officials.

Any ASCE member is encouraged to attend free of charge.  A limited number of travel stipends are available for qualified attendees.  Applications to attend are due to ASCE’s Washington Office by Friday, Jan. 12, 2007.  Applications for travel reimbursement must be approved by your Section President before submission. Attendees should be committed to sharing their experiences with fellow Section and Branch members once they return from Washington.

For further information contact Leslie Nolen at lnolen@asce.org or 202-789-7846.

ASCE members often tell us they would like to hear more about how actions in Washington and the state capitals affect civil engineering, yet they don’t know how to get this information.

The Key Contact Program is designed to provide this information.  Any ASCE member can sign up free of charge to receive “This Week in Washington”, a weekly e-newsletter with the latest updates from Washington and around the country.  In addition, Key Contacts receive periodic Key Alerts to let them know when specific action is needed to support civil engineering issues in congress or in a state legislature.

Joining is easy!  Visit http://www.asce.org/govrel and click on “Key Contact Program” to complete the online registration form.  Brochures and additional information materials are available to distribute at Section and Branch meetings and gatherings.  Contact Leslie Nolen, ASCE’s Senior Manager of Grassroots and State Government Relations, at lnolen@asce.org or 202-789-7846 for more information.

ASCE is seeking nominations for the 2007 New Faces of Civil Engineering program. The New Faces program highlights the unique work of young dynamic engineers 30 years of age or younger.  These young professionals will be featured in a full-page ad in USA TODAY during Engineers Week (Feb. 18-24, 2007).  The deadline for nominations is Mon., Nov. 6, 2006.     

To learn more about the New Faces project and nominations guidelines, visit http://www.asce.org/kids/newfaces.cfm or email Lisa Jennings at newfaces@asce.org.

An engineer attends a meeting sponsored by an ASCE chapter and purchases several drinks from the cash bar at the closing reception. On the way home, this engineer is involved in a serious automobile accident, causing injury to himself and to the driver of a second car, as well as extensive property damage. Does the Section that hosted the event face any civil liability for serving alcohol to its guest? Unfortunately, the answer may well be ‘yes.’

In recent years, an increasing number of host organizations have been held liable for injuries or damage caused by an intoxicated guest. The extent of an organization’s exposure under these third-party or “dram shop” laws varies from state to state; while some states allow no cause of action against a host vendor, others impose strict liability on an entity that serves alcohol to its guests. The range of potential plaintiffs to such a lawsuit is also determined by state law; injured parties, their families and employers, even the intoxicated guest him/herself may be permitted to file suit against a liquor vendor.

Faced with the possibility of costly legal action involving the sale or service of alcohol at an event, what can an organization do to protect itself?

The simplest—and best—course of action is simply not to serve alcohol at all, particularly in situations where there may be underage guests in attendance. At the same time, ASCE recognizes that there are instances where a host organization may reasonably wish to serve alcohol at a sponsored event or meeting. In those circumstances, ASCE's recommendations are:

 

• Where possible, shift the liability for service of alcohol to the hotel or leased facility in which the event will be held. ASCE’s standard hotel contract addendum includes several crucial provisions for limiting the Society’s legal exposure for service of alcohol:

 

• Alcoholic drinks shall be dispensed only by the hotel’s employees or bartenders (Section 3.1);
• The hotel certifies that it will request proper identification from persons who might appear underage and will refuse service to persons who appear intoxicated (Section 3.2);
• The hotel certifies that its personnel have all been trained to prevent incidents that could give rise to liquor liability claims (Section 3.3);
• The hotel shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Society for any claims arising from the hotel’s service of alcohol (Section 3.4); and
• The hotel warrants that it carries a sufficient amount of insurance to protect itself in the event of a claim arising from its service of alcohol, and it agrees to provide proof of this insurance to the Society upon request (Section 6.2).

 

As a further layer of protection for the host organization, it may be possible to negotiate with the hotel or leased facility that the host shall be named as an additional insured party on the facility’s liquor liability insurance.

 

• Understand the laws of your state and the extent of coverage provided in your insurance policy. As part of ASCE’s general liability insurance, all Sections, Branches, and subsidiary units are protected by up to $1 million general liability and $10 million excess coverage for claims arising from the unit’s usual activities. Service of alcohol at a sponsored function is covered under this policy, with two important conditions:

 

• Alcoholic beverages must be served at a social function by a trained professional, such as a bartender or waiter, employed by the facility where the event takes place; and
• The host section or unit must not share in the profits from the sale of alcoholic beverages.

 

• Act responsibly. Remember that your first priority is not reducing your exposure to lawsuits, but ensuring the safety of your guests. Make sure that the individuals who are serving the alcohol have the necessary training and guidelines to make intelligent decisions about whom they will be serving, and in what amounts. Keep a listing of local cab companies and consider reserving a room in the hotel for use in the event that a guest shows signs of impairment.

 

ASCE’s in-house counsel will be happy to answer any questions you may have concerning its policy on liquor service. Please call Tom Smith at (800) 548-2723 x6061 or Tara Hoke at (800) 548-2723 x 6151.

Members Who Renew Early Could Win Great Prizes

Members renewing their 2007 ASCE membership now could win a Magellan Roadmate 700 Portable GPS System or other great prizes.  Plus, members can be entered twice by renewing online or three times by using their ASCE credit card.  Remind your members of the personal and professional resources ASCE offers that help them meet their career goals and challenges. 

Members can renew online by going to www.asce.org/renewal. Check out prizes and early renewal drawing dates at www.asce.org/renewal/renewalprize.cfm.

 

Watch for the ASCE Multiplan Brochure

The ASCE Multiplan Brochure will be arriving in members’ mailboxes early this month.  With plans designed specifically for ASCE members – including life, professional liability, dental, disability, cancer, accident, travel, and more – these group insurance plans are designed to deliver high-quality coverage at competitive rates.  If you or your members are interested in what ASCE’s insurance plans have to offer, visit www.asceinsurance.com.

Member-Get-A-Member Winners Announced

Congratulations to Lori Mariko Nishida, P.E., M.ASCE, Membership Committee Chair, Hawaii Section, who received $700 for being the top-recruiter of the 2006 Member-Get-A-Member drive.  In addition, the following ten members received $50 gas cards for participating in our summer drawing:

 

• Fred E. Fleet, P.E., F.ASCE, Arizona Section/Phoenix Branch
• Irene Dolores Ramirez, P.E., M.ASCE, Texas Section/El Paso Branch
• Peter Terry, P.E., F.ASCE, Lehigh Valley Section 
• Jay Hewett, P.E., M.ASCE, Maine Section 
• David Dong-Huei Wang, P.E., M.ASCE, Maryland Section
• Amy Poloni, A.M.ASCE, Utah Section/Wasatch Front Branch 
• Daniel Gattner Linzell, P.E., A.M.ASCE, Central Pennsylvania Section 
• Robert E. Leverington, P.E., P.L.S., M.ASCE, Colorado Section, Southern Colorado Branch 
• Edward A. Segali, A.M.ASCE, Metropolitan Section

 

The 2007 Campaign, set to kickoff later this month, will feature a new theme with outstanding prizes for participating members.  Remember, each recruit who joins earns their sponsor an entry in the quarterly drawing.  Help colleagues discover why ASCE has become the professional home for more than 140,000 civil engineers.

>> www.ascedrive.org 

Honorary Members Inducted and Awards Presented in Chicago

Truly outstanding engineers were inducted as Honorary Members, Class of 2006, at the Gala Banquet on Oct. 20.  The festivities honored Gerald E. Galloway, Jr., P.E., Hon.D.WRE, Hon.M.ASCE; John F. Graham, Jr., P.E., Hon.M.ASCE; Daniel W. Halpin, Ph.D., Hon.M.ASCE; Donn E. Hancher, Ph.D., P.E., Hon.M.ASCE; Robert D. Kersten, Ph.D., P.E., D.WRE, Hon.M.ASCE; William W. Moss, P.E., Hon.M.ASCE; Priscilla P. Nelson, Ph.D., Hon.M.ASCE; Leslie E. Robertson, P.E., S.E., Hon.M.ASCE; Kenneth R. Wright, P.E., L.S., Hon.M.ASCE; and T. Leslie Youd, Ph.D., Hon.M.ASCE, NAE as the Society’s newest Honorary Members.  The induction ceremony for Christine A. Shoemaker, Ph.D., Hon.M.ASCE will be held in conjunction with the EWRI conference in 2007.  Visit www.asce.org/awards for details. 

Society awards were presented during various events at the Annual Conference, including the Annual Business Meeting.  In addition, Curtis L. Edwards, P.E., F.ASCE received the Khoury Award for Engineering Construction Excellence from the World Federation of Engineering Organizations on Oct. 17. 

Section/Branch Membership Retention Tip

Section and Branch officers have access to contact information for new members by using Section/Branch Membership FTP data. Use this data to contact new members, welcoming them to ASCE and your Section, Branch, Younger Member Forum or Technical/Professional Committee:

 

• Send a “welcome” e-mail, letter or postcard.
• Explain the benefits of membership in your Section or Branch.
• Invite them to your next meeting, program or activity.
• Introduce new members who attend meetings, programs or activities.

 

Remember – members won’t automatically renew their membership each year – they need to see the value of being an ASCE Section or Branch member!  Take this opportunity to communicate ASCE’s value.

For more information on the FTP data, contact Michael Cook at (703) 295-6121 or mcook@asce.org.

The American Academy of Water Resources Engineers (AAWRE) is currently accepting online applications for spring 2007 at a one-time reduced program fee of $100 ($300 regular fee). You may become one of the first to achieve the Diplomate, Water Resources Engineer (D.WRE) credential in your Section and Branch. AAWRE offers a voluntary, post-license credential that will provide professionals and practitioners an opportunity to gain further recognition in the field of water resources engineering. The current online application deadline is Feb. 28, 2007. For more information and to apply for AAWRE's Diplomate, Specialty Certification program, please visit: http://www.aawre.org/appaawre.cfm

·  Tues., Dec. 5 ~ Noon - 1 pm Eastern Time  
Renovation of Building Façade

·  Wed., Dec. 6 ~ Noon - 1 pm Eastern Time
Leadership: Developing the Leader In You and Others, Part I

·  Thurs., Dec. 7 ~ Noon - 1 pm Eastern Time
Traffic Incident Management New Webinar

·  Tues., Dec. 12 ~ Noon - 1:30 pm Eastern Time
An Introduction to Roadside Delineation and Safety Systems

·  Wed., Dec. 13 ~ Noon - 1 pm Eastern Time
Leadership: Developing the Leader In You and Others, Part II

·  Thurs., Dec. 14 ~ Noon - 1 pm Eastern Time
Knowing My Style: Improving Productivity and Style Through Self-Knowledge

·  Tues., Dec. 19 ~ Noon - 1 pm Eastern Time
Renovation of Pre-Engineered Buildings

·  Wed., Dec. 20 ~ 12 Noon - 1 pm Eastern Time
Project Work Plans: Why and How?  

The Infrastructure Security Partnership (TISP) is pleased to announce that R. David Paulison, Under Secretary of Federal Emergency Management and Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will be the keynote speaker at the November 15, 2006 Breakfast Speaker Series event. The TISP Breakfast Speaker Series provides educational and networking opportunities with leading public and private sector experts discussing the latest developments in security, public policy and technological advances related to critical domestic infrastructure resilience.

The breakfast will be held at The Army and Navy Club in Washington, DC, on Nov. 15 from 8-9:30 AM. The cost to attend is $40 per person. Seating is limited and participation is only available to TISP Contributing Members and Corporate Sponsors. Since ASCE is a TISP Contributing Member, all ASCE members are eligible to attend. Pre-registration is required and must be received by noon on Nov. 13th. Onsite registrations will be accepted on a space available basis only. TISP gratefully acknowledges support from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) for sponsoring this event.

» Register for this event, visit: http://www.tisp.org/events/eventdetails.cfm?&eventID=1225

» For additional information, contact Catherine Tehan at ctehan@asce.org

» Organizations interested in sponsoring future TISP events should contact Marla Dalton, P.E., TISP Executive Director at 703-295-6231.

2006

 

Nov. 1:

• Submission deadline for the Outstanding Section and Branch Newsletter Award.

• Nomination deadline for Arid Lands, Bartholomew, Bechtel awards, Bickel, Biot, Can-Am, Cermak, Chow,  History & Heritage, Computing in Civil Engineering, Norman/Croes, Duke, Einstein, Freese, Freudenthal,  Greeley, Hardesty, Hering, Hilgard, Hinds,  Hoffman, Horner, Howard, Hydraulic Structures,  Innovation in Civil Engineering, International Coastal, Laurie, T. Y. Lin, Masters, Middlebrooks, Moffatt- Nichol, Moisseiff,  Newmark, Peurifoy, Reese, Rickey, Roebling, Rouse, Rowland, Scanlan, Smith, State-of-the-Art, Stevens, Surveying & Mapping, Wisely  

Nov. 3: SPAG applications due

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

             Region Annual Reports are due at ASCE World Headquarters.

2007

Jan. 1: Membership Renewal Deadline

Jan. 12-14: Regions 4 & 5 Leadership Conference-Nashville, Tenn.

Jan. 26-27: Regions 1 & 2 Leadership Conference-Princeton, N.J.

Feb. 1:

• Nominations for National ASCE Edmund Friedman Young Engineer Award for Professional Achievement and the Daniel Mead Prize for Younger Members are due at World Headquarters.
• Nominations for Young Government Civil Engineer Award are due at ASCE World Headquarters.
• Nominations for Younger Member Group Award are due at ASCE World Headquarters.

Feb. 9-11: Regions 3, 6, & 7 Leadership Conference-Milwaukee.

Feb. 23-25: Regions 8 & 9 Leadership Conference-Seattle.

March 1: Nominations for Government Civil Engineer Award are due at ASCE World Headquarters

May 4: Response due at Headquarters for national collection of Section dues.

June 1: Deadline for submission for the Outstanding Section and Branch Web Award Competition.

Aug. 4: Submission deadline for the State Public Affairs Grant Activity Report to ASCE Washington Office.

Aug. 15: Nomination deadline for Casagrande, Construction Management, Kapp, Middlebrooks, Peck, Seed and Terzaghi Awards.

Oct. 30:

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

 

Blaine D. Leonard, P.E., F.ASCE	Chair	bleonard@utah.gov
Anni H. Autio, P.E., M.ASCE	Vice President (Regions 1 & 2)	autioah@cdm.com
G. Nicholas Textor, P.E., F.ASCE	Vice President (Regions 3, 6, & 7)	Nick.Textor@cte.aecom.com
Leonard A. Cilli, AM.ASCE	Region 1	lengeotek@aol.com
Charles W. Kopplin, P.E., F.ASCE	Region 3	chuck.kopplin@gasai.com
Chris Garlick, P.E., M.ASCE	Region 5	crgarlick@pbsj.com
Tony Chung-Gem Lau, P.E., M.ASCE	Region 8	tlau@hawaiipacificengineers.com
Thomas M. Rachford, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE	Technical Region	trachford@gfnet.com

Patrick J. Natale, P.E., F.ASCE	Executive Director, ASCE	pnatale@asce.org
Lawrence H. Roth, P.E., F.ASCE	Deputy Executive Director, ASCE	lroth@asce.org
Thomas W. Smith, Esq., M.ASCE	Assistant Executive Director, General Counsel, ASCE	tsmith@asce.org
Stefan Jaeger, CAE	Managing Director, Strategic & International Initiatives and Geographic Services	sjaeger@asce.org

Nancy E. Berson, Aff.ASCE	Director	nberson@asce.org x6010
Michael W. Cook	Senior Manager	mcook@asce.org x6121
Jennifer S. Lawrence	Administrator	jlawrence@asce.org x6255
Kevin M. Bush	Administrator	kbush@asce.org x6042
Marilyn A. Mahieu	Administrative Assistant	mmahieu@asce.org x6287

The Geographic Services Department (GSD) is charged with providing support to the local units of the Society and ensuring effective coordination and cooperation among the Regions, Sections, Branches, Younger Member Groups and Staff. This newsletter is produced to help meet this charge. Questions, comments and suggestions regarding this newsletter are welcomed and should be directed to Jennifer Lawrence at: jlawrence@asce.org.

Region 10—Sections Outside the United States