Engineers Week is a program to increase public awareness of engineers' contributions to society by celebrating innovation and technology. It emphasizes the importance of learning science, technical skills, engineering, and math. Each year, volunteers from the ASCE North Carolina join in celebrating through outreach activities that expose engineering to kids in our local schools. It is rewarding to see the enthusiasm of the students, and their level of knowledge is quite impressive!
This year, in the Eastern Branch for example, we have quite a variety of opportunities available at Brentwood, Kingswood, and Reedy Creek Elementary schools in Raleigh and Cary. Dates range from February 22nd through March 14th. Although Engineers Week is officially February 21st through 27th this year, outreach activities are valuable at any time. You can also volunteer at your child's school or schools near your office, and we can assist with ideas for activities and supplies as needed. We are here to help!
Please take a few minutes to explore the ASCE North Carolina Engineers Week Webpage: http://www.ascenc.org/discovere/. If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information regarding specific times and opportunities, please contact Verd Anna Pettigrew at verdanna.pettigrew@ch2m.com.
The Region 4 Assembly, which includes all members of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in the states of Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, has established a very meaningful and worthwhile competition and award for a Younger Member who resides within Region 4. A Younger Member is defined as a member, associate member or affiliate not over 35 years of age on February 1, 2016.
The award is named after Daniel V. Terrell of the Kentucky Section. Dean Terrell was President of National ASCE in 1954. This award is presented annually for the outstanding paper submitted on a topic established by the Region 4 Assembly. Two (2) papers per Section may be entered in the Daniel V. Terrell Paper Competition. If one chooses to enter the Daniel V. Terrell competition, the paper must be submitted to the Terrell Committee, by the entrant's Section President, by March 1, 2016. The entrant must then present their paper during the Spring 2016 Meeting of the Region 4 Assembly to be held April 15 & 16 (specific location to be determined). The winner of the D.V. Terrell award receives Society and peer acclaim as well as an impressive bronze plaque and cash prize in recognition of the time and effort put into this competition.
Travel arrangements to the meeting should be coordinated with the entrant's respective Branch and/or Section. Financial assistance may be available.
While the topic is the same as for the Society's Daniel W. Mead Contest, it is not necessary that an entry be made to both the Terrell and Mead Competitions. If the entrant chooses to enter the Mead competition, the deadline is February 1, 2016. The winner of the D.W. Mead award receives Society and peer acclaim as well as a bronze plaque and cash prize in recognition of the time and effort put into this competition.
Calling all ASCE members! We are looking for a few good members interested in advocacy to meet with their elected officials at the next Legislative Fly-In on March 15-17, 2016 in Arlington, VA & Washington, DC. Application are due by December 15, 2015.
The program includes:
- Meetings on Capitol Hill with your elected officials and/or their staff
- Briefing sessions on key legislation active in Congress
- Training on lobbying and influencing public policy
- Networking with ASCE peers from across the country
- Tips on continuing relationships with your elected officials once you return home
- A Younger Member program on March 15
The best participants are members active in the Key Contact Program and those interested in advocating on behalf of ASCE and our Priority Issues and who are willing to share their knowledge and skills with ASCE members when they return home. If you aren't a Key Contact please sign up at http://www.asce.org/keycontacts/.
There is no registration fee to attend the Fly-In, but participants are responsible for their own travel expenses. A limited number of travel stipends are available. Download a PDF of the application or read more about the program at ASCE's website.
The Structural Engineers Association (SEA), in collaboration with the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Institute of Architects (AIA), is organizing a post-disaster volunteer inspector program. Our organizations are formalizing a partnering agreement with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Division of Emergency Management. The goal is to provide the State with the manpower necessary to efficiently and effectively evaluate buildings and infrastructure so our residents can return to their homes and businesses as quickly as possible following a hurricane or other disaster.
In the coming months we will train and equip our professional members and establish a database of certified volunteers. In the event of a disaster our volunteers will be mobilized and inspections coordinated from an Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh. Volunteers will be provided credentials to gain access to the disaster site and assigned public safety escorts to accompany inspection teams during evaluations.
We invite you to join the program. Please see the attached documents and our website (www.ascenc.org) for more information on how you can sign up for the training being offered in November, 2015, and other details related to the program and you certification.
Date, Time and Location of Upcoming Training:
Tuesday, November 17, 2015 – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Raleigh: NC National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, 1636 Gold Star Drive, Raleigh, NC 27699
Wednesday, November 18, 2015 - 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Charlotte: Central Piedmont Community College - Maracas Campus, 11930 Verhoeff Dr, Huntersville, NC 28078
To register for the training please visit http://www.aianc.org/cont-ed/disaster-response-volunteer-inspector-program
Here are PDFs describing the three required courses:
Disaster Response Course Description Form ($75, 6 PDHs)
Disaster Response Volunteer Inspector Online FEMA Training Form (Free, two online classes, no PDHs)
North Carolina’s Senate has recently pushed through Senate Bill SB20 which would set a floor for the gas tax at 35 cents per gallon and implement additional changes that could help stabilize our state’s transportation budget.
As a civil engineer, you have the opportunity to share your expertise and help advance the discussion. We encourage you to reach out to your state representative to consider support for continued investment in transportation infrastructure.
Visit ASCE’s “Click & Connect with Congress” website to read background on the issue and draft a message to your legislators.
The ASCE Committee on Leadership and Management has the responsibility for administering the following Society Awards:
1. John I. Parcel-Leif J. Sverdrup Civil Engineering Management Award
2. Government Civil Engineer of the Year Award
3. Outstanding Public Official Award (formerly Civil Government Award)
4. Edmund Friedman Professional Recognition Award
5. Civil Engineering Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Nomination packages must be received in Headquarters by March 1, 2015 for consideration this year. Information on the requirements for each award and the nomination package requirements can be found in the 2015 ASCE Official Register at http://www.asce.org/or/ in the Honors and Awards Section.
Thank you for service to the Society and our profession.
-The Committee on Leadership and Management
On Sunday, November 21, 2014, 60 Minutes aired a piece titled "Risky infrastructure". You can check out the video here: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/60-minutes-investigates-risky-infrastructure
From 60 Minutes: Bridges, roads, rails and runways are crumbling under our feet. Seven years ago, 13 people died in the dramatic collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis. Steve Kroft traveled to Pittsburgh to meet with engineers and the former Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. Kroft joins "CBS This Morning" to show a preview of his piece airing Sunday.
The Region 4 Assembly, which includes all members of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in the states of Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, has established a very meaningful and worthwhile competition and award for a Younger Member who resides within Region 4. A Younger Member is defined as a member, associate member or affiliate not over 35 years of age on February 1, 2015.
The award is named after Daniel V. Terrell of the Kentucky Section. Dean Terrell was President of National ASCE in 1954. This award is presented annually for the outstanding paper submitted on a topic established by the Region 4 Assembly. Two (2) papers per Section may be entered in the Daniel V. Terrell Paper Competition. If one chooses to enter the Daniel V. Terrell competition, the paper must be submitted to the Terrell Committee, by the entrant's Section President, by March 1, 2015. Presentation of the Daniel V. Terrell Paper Competition entries will be on Friday afternoon as part of the spring 2015 Meeting of the Region 4 Assembly to be held April 17 & 18 in the Arkansas Section (specific location to be determined). The winner of the D.V. Terrell award receives Society and peer acclaim as well as an impressive bronze plaque and cash prize in recognition of the time and effort put into this competition.
Travel arrangements to the meeting should be coordinated with the entrant's respective Branch and/or Section.
While the topic is the same as for the Society's Daniel W. Mead Contest, it is not necessary that an entry be made to both the Terrell and Mead Competitions. If the entrant chooses to enter the Mead competition, the deadline is February 1, 2015. The winner of the D.W. Mead award receives Society and peer acclaim as well as a bronze plaque and cash prize in recognition of the time and effort put into this competition.