Welcome Puerto Rico Chapter

 

ASPE has a new Chapter! At the April Board of Directors meeting, Puerto Rico was approved as the 60^th Chapter of ASPE.

 

Over the past two years, the plumbing engineers in Puerto Rico have been meeting on a regular basis. I had the opportunity to speak to the members when I had a personal trip to Puerto Rico in March of 2007.

 

A lot of credit goes to Ricardo Espris. Ricardo has worked very diligently in organizing the Chapter. Ricardo has served as the interim President of the Chapter-in-waiting.

 

Within the next few months, I will travel to San Juan, PR to

 

Charter the new Chapter. I look forward to this major celebratory event.

 

At the Bi-Annual Convention in Philadelphia, we will seat delegates from Puerto Rico for the very first time. Of course, they will have the honor of sitting in the front row.

 

Be sure to welcome Puerto Rico as the 60^th Chapter of ASPE.

 

                                                         Central Illinois Wins

 

In the last newsletter, I had a trivia question about the Society. The question was, “Who was the second President of ASPE?” Some thought it was a trick question since Don Dickerson served more than one term. However, it was not.

 

I was looking for the second individual to serve as President. That was Mike Moroko, P.E.

 

The winner of the telescope was the Central Illinois Chapter. In case you are wondering, the correct answer arrived in my in-box 25 minutes after I e-mailed the newsletter. So keep your eyes open for future questions.

 

                                                 2009-10 Budget Is Approved

 

The Board approved the 2009-10 Budget at the April Board meeting. The budget was identical to the one presented at the Grass Roots Budget meeting. The budget exceeds $3,000,000 with a slight surplus. This includes no dues increase for next year.

 

I want to thank those Chapters that participated in the Grass Roots Budget meeting. This year we had the largest number of Chapters ever participate.

 

As in the past, we had very good input from the Chapter. Thank you for taking the time to participate on a Saturday morning.

 

For those Chapters that missed the Grass Roots Budget meeting, perhaps next year you can join the meeting and help review the Budget. Just ask some of your colleagues from other Chapters if they thought it was beneficial.

 

I hope to have all of the Chapters participating in next years Grass Roots Budget Meeting. This is your opportunity to provide input to the Board on the budget.

 

                                                        Partnering With PCA

 

ASPE will be partnering with the Plumbing Contractors of America (PCA) for this year’s Technical Symposium. PCA is a division of MCAA and includes many of the larger plumbing contractor firms.

 

This will be the first time that the two organizations have teamed up to sponsor an educational program. This will also provide ASPE members the opportunity to interact with the various contractors that will attend the Symposium.

 

                                                        Dues Rebate Payback

 

Following the approval of the budget, the Board voted to approve a dues rebate payback program. This has been a major point of discussion by many of the Chapters. I am often asked, “When are we going to get our money?”

 

Well, the payback program has finally been approved. The formerly withheld dues rebate will be paid to the Chapters requesting it, on a monthly basis, beginning in 2012. The first monthly payment will be added January 2012 to the dues rebate check currently being issued to the Chapter. These increases in the monthly checks will continue for the next 25 years.

 

I have sent a personal letter to each Chapter that is owed rebates. Three Chapters owed money did not receive a letter. That is because they have been discussing the return of the remainder of their money towards Sponsorship, or one of the other incentive programs.

 

In my letter, I indicated what the monthly amount will be for your Chapter. I also encouraged the Chapters to still consider becoming a sponsor for the Technical Symposium, or one of the other incentive programs.

 

                                                            Now 24 Chapters

 

Since my last newsletter, four more Chapter have zeroed out their dues rebate balance. To those Chapters, many thanks. This always helps the bottom line. We continue to try to bring ASPE into a strong financial situation.

 

The remaining amount owed to the Chapters has dropped below $300,000. Thank you one and all. If you didn’t remember, the dues rebate owed to the Chapters at one point exceeded $750,000. Again, my heartfelt thanks!

                                                          White Haired Devils

 

As I have told you many times in the past, one of the subjects I am continually asked about is my hair color. On Monday of this week a woman at the airport asked how I got my hair that color. I gave her the usual response, “It was Mother Nature, not me.”

 

If you ever visit ASPE Headquarters, you will find  pictures of the Society Presidents on the wall. Yes, my picture is there, too.

 

When you look at these pictures, you will find many of our Presidents were folically challenged (a nice way to say they didn’t have a full head of hair). However, even the folically challenged Presidents had some hair with color.

 

So, the question I have for you is, “How many Presidents, other than myself, had white hair when they were President?” And, name them!

 

The first Chapter officer that gets this trivia question correct will win a set of knives, 16 in all, including some mega-knives that you could butcher a bear with.

 

Remember, the answers must be sent to PrezASPE@aol.com. Identify your name, Chapter name, and answer.

 

I will use the time stamp on the e-mail to determine who is the first to answer correctly. No cheating by calling the office and asking them to look on the wall.

 

                                                             Building Update

 

 

As I mentioned in my last Newsletter, the Board directed our Executive Director to pursue the concept of purchasing a building. It turns out to be economically wise to purchase a building during a down economy.

 

The search is progressing very well. ASPE has received approval for a mortgage. This was a major hurdle that we had to tackle before proceeding too far with a building search.

 

Some have asked how we can obtain a mortgage with a negative balance sheet. All I can respond is, leave it to Stan (Wolfson). He is a master at negotiating a great deal for the Society. We are lucky to have his expertise.

 

                                                        New Chapter Officers

 

For some Chapter Presidents, this is the end of your term. For others, you have or will be re-elected.

 

For the Chapter Presidents that are completing their term as President, I would like to extend my sincere thanks for serving the Society and your Chapter. You have made a big difference to ASPE.

 

You sometimes may be wondering if anyone realizes the time it takes to be a Chapter President. Well, I do. That is why I truly appreciate all that you do.

 

But, don’t be a stranger. When you complete your time on your Chapter board, it is time to look at opportunities on the Society level. Consider becoming a member of any one of the many Committees. Consider chairing a committee. There is always room for new blood. So, don’t just fade into the woodwork, consider the many other opportunities available.

 

Also, think about the possibilities of running for a higher office. Elections for the Society Board of Directors are just around the corner in Philadelphia. The Board can always use a few good, new individuals.

 

For those continuing on for another term, thanks for hanging in there for another year. I appreciate all that you have done and I also appreciate all the time and effort you will put into the next year.

 

As for this newsletter, those of you leaving it may take a month or two to get the new e-mail addresses correct. Until such time, please just pass on this newsletter to the new Chapter President.

 

Don’t worry about sending me the new e-mail addresses. The Region Directors provide me with an updated list of President’s e-mail addresses.

 

                                               Technical Symposium Update

 

I will not steal the thunder of our Technical Symposium Committee or the reports of our Technical Liaison to the Board and Vice President, Education. But, let me at least say that I am very, very impressed with the educational program scheduled for this year’s Technical Symposium. It is great!

 

Check the Leadership page on the website to read their comments. The schedule should be published in the next few years. (I got to take an advanced look at the schedule.)

 

Let’s continue to promote the Symposium. It will be one of the best ever.

 

                                                  Region Presidents Meetings

 

Next week I start my scenic tour of the Regions. For the next three weekends, I will enjoy visiting Regions 4, 2, and 3. My wife will be joining me in Sacramento and New Orleans. She needed a break in between when I travel to Rochester. I am used to this traveling; she is not.

 

Also, thanks for all of the invites to side meetings. I look forward to it.

                                                             Your Comments

 

Your cards and letters are always appreciated. All of your comments are welcome. Also, feel free to share information with other Chapters through this Newsletter.

 

Contact me at any time. I can be reached at PrezASPE@aol.com. My office number is 219-922-6171.