Filling the Void with Digital Resources

Typical conversations and questions within the mentorship process between  PE’s to EIT’s often end with the phrase “because that’s the way we’ve always done it”.  For inquisitive young engineers, hearing this phrase can be frustrating, and further drive them to find the source.  Textbooks, codes, and design guides provide examples to answer technical questions, but reliable non-technical resources can be harder to find.  NSPE provides a wealth of information on its website (www.nspe.org) to help provide guidance for a variety of non-technical topics.  Recently, I discovered the “Document Retention Guidelines” and “Liability of Employed Engineers FAQ.”  Both of which provided an interesting vantage point in the peripheral aspects of our industry.  In addition to online resources, NSPE members also receive “PE Magazine” ten times each year.  “PE Magazine” provides news and commentary on professional issues, such as licensing, ethics, legislative and regulatory issues and education.

I would like to encourage all engineers to take some time to explore the NSPE website, read a few non-technical articles and share them within your firm.  If you’re a NSPE member, please share PE Magazine and invite others to our monthly Joint Society Luncheons hosted by VSPE and ASCE. 

Another valuable benefit is that NSPE members can earn up to 15 professional development hours (PDH’s) each year through free online seminars.  Also, attendees are eligible to obtain PDH’s at a number of our Joint Society Luncheons.  The Joint Society Luncheons are both a great place to network, and help satisfy your continuing education requirements for your next license renewal.

Brian Snyder, PE

VSPE Tidewater President

The links to two topics mentioned are listed below:

Document Retention Guidelines http://www.nspe.org/ProfessionalLiability/DocumentRetention/index.html

Liability of Employed Engineers FAQ http://www.nspe.org/ProfessionalLiability/LiabilityEmpEng/index.html

Monarch Youth Education - Engineering Summer Camps at ODU

Find out more about ODU Summer Camps!

	Engineering Camps
	Engineers Rule Camp for students going into grades five through eight Five days of exploration in the fields of civil, electrical, mechanical, and structural engineering Nano Camp for students going into grades two through four One action packed day exploring civil, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering
	Civil Engineering Explorations Student teams will build catapults, bridges, towers, and cars with unusual materials, and then explore the functions and structures of these items. Compete for the designer and builder of the strongest bridge. Guest speakers will share their knowledge of the career of civil engineers as well as share the tools of the trade.
	Electrical Engineering Explorations Students explore the electrical world of currant, operate circuit boards, race micro-robots, build motors from copper and batteries. The day will include a visit to distance learning and other labs, and learn how spy cameras work! Guest speakers will share and instruct students in the field of engineering.
	Mechanical Engineering Explorations Visit a ram jet, learn about air pressure, apply these dynamics for flight and compete with students in piloting skills, explore space at the planetarium, build computer generated cities and design million dollar bridges.
College Day Learn what it is like to be a student living on the university campus. Visit student dorms, the football staduim, and the constant center. Camp is on the ODU campus and students will lunch daily at the student center with Friday's lunch on Monarch Way.

May Joint Society Luncheon - GIS Technology

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the Engineers Club of Hampton Roads (ECHR), and the Virginia Society of Professional Engineers (VSPE) cordially invite you to the
Joint Societies Luncheon to be held on Thursday, May 30^th, 2013.

Topic:                                  Mapping the Course:
           Improving Naval Facility Management through GIS Technology

 Guest Speakers:                        Mathew Gregory, GISP    

The GeoReadiness Center (GRC) provides NAVFAC MIDLANT with GIS support across its entire region from Virginia to Maine which includes 15 major CNIC Navy Shore Base and their associated special areas. The GRC provides GIS professional services in support of the Navy's shore installation management mission by ensuring that geospatial information is readily available for accurate and efficient decision making throughout many business lines within the NAVFAC organization. Providing this level of support throughout a large organization creates unique challenges. These challenges are met by implementing data standards, developing and maintaining quality data, increasing awareness through training, and supporting systems that provide an interface for viewing and analyzing these data.         

Matthew Gregory, GISP serves as a project manager for NAVFAC MIDLANT and provides GIS project management and analyst support for the GRC. Matthew's primary responsibilities include GIS data development, map development, data migration, data evaluation, data maintenance and analysis of the Navy's Common Installation Picture (CIP) data layers and additional business line data layers.

Host:           VSPE – Tidewater Chapter

Time:           11:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon (Sign-In); 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. (Lunch & Presentation)
Location:       The Westin Virginia Beach Town Center
                     (Located at 4535 Commerce St., Virginia Beach, VA 23462)

Cost:           $20.00 – Joint Society members, $25.00 – all others.  Credit cards accepted online.

                   Cash and checks (payable to Tidewater VSPE) accepted at the door.

 

 Seating is limited, so please email or visit to http://may2013jsl.eventbrite.com register today. Registration ends on Tuesday, May 28^th. For additional information, contact Jonida Hendricks by e-mail at TidewaterVSPE@gmail.com  

If you have any special needs (dietary, disability, etc.), please specify them with your reservation. Changes to reservations and cancellations will be accepted until Tuesday, May 28^th. Sorry, but no shows will be billed.

Call for Volunteers

VSPE is always searching for more motivated, passionate engineers to join the Board and support our programs.  There are opportunities ranging from planning professional networking events to presenting the importance of the engineering profession to K-12 and college students, and everything in between. 

If you have an idea for a new program you feel would help the profession or would like to help our existing programs, please email TidewaterVSPE@gmail.com and/or attend a monthly board meeting.

Below is a letter from NSPE President Robert A. Green, P.E., F.NSPE:

Volunteers are at the heart of NSPE's work—providing exceptional experiences and essential tools to the engineering profession.

I am excited to invite you to respond to this year's Call for Volunteers. We need your skills, passion, and perspectives to build a vibrant, inclusive, and diversified corps of volunteer leaders throughout our committees, interest groups, and task forces.

Volunteer opportunities within NSPE exist through many different areas of interest and on varying levels of engagement, from participation in short-term projects to our highest level of engagement as an active volunteer of a Chair-appointed committee.

You are invited to review the Call for Volunteers Web Page to learn about the council, committees, task forces, organizational activities, and other projects to which you can offer your time. Please fill out the brief form on this page to indicate the volunteer group in which you're interested. (Kindly limit your choices to your top three.)

We welcome your expertise and enthusiasm in becoming a part of this active and talented group of volunteers. The deadline for responding to the Call for Volunteers is Wednesday, May 22, 2013. Appointments will be confirmed before the end of July.

 

Sincerely,

 

Robert A. Green, P.E., F.NSPE

President 2013–14

National Society of Professional Engineers

VEPAC Golf Classic

VEPAC Golf Classic
June 12, 2013

The Virginia Engineers Political Action Committee invites you to support the engineering industry while enjoying a beautiful round of golf on June 12 (11:00 AM sign-in with a 1:00 PM Shotgun Start) at Independence Golf Club, in Midlothian. Independence, home of the Virginia State Golf Association, is the Richmond area’s newest and most upscale daily-fee course, designed by legendary golf course architect Tom Fazio. Join your colleagues on the links and make your voice heard at the state capitol.

Issues such as eminent domain, qualifications-based selections, transportation, immigration and the regulations that impact your business in the commonwealth are directly affected by state legislative action. We need our legislators to hear the voice of the engineering community when they are reviewing these issues. We need your financial help to accomplish these goals.

 

Reserve your tee time at the 2013 VEPAC Golf Classic -- the easiest and most enjoyable way to support VEPAC and make your voice heard in the Virginia General Assembly!

Register online today for the 2013 VEPAC Golf Classic -- the easiest and most enjoyable way to support VEPAC and make your voice heard in the Virginia General Assembly! Enhance your support of the VEPAC by including a sponsorship with your registration!
You may also download a hard copy of the registration and/or sponsorship form.

March JSL Luncheon Wrap-Up

Gilmerton Bridge Replacement

Thanks to our presentors Marc E. Papini of Parsons Brinckerhoff and Jim Holtje, P.E. of PCL Civil Constructors, Inc.

If you couldn't attend the luncheon, you missed a great presentation!  The animations and float-in pictures are very interesting!

The presentation materials are linked below (courtesy of VDOT):

Gilmerton Bridge - Power Point Presentation
Gilmerton Bridge - Construction Animation
Gilmerton Bridge - Float-In Pictures
Gilmerton Bridge - Construction Timeline Animation

2013 Annual ECHR Golf Outing

Registration Deadline is June 7, 2013

Printable registration form at the link below:

http://vspe.org/Chapters/TidewaterChapter/_2013%20ECHR%20Golf%20Flyer-June14.pdf