Region 2 Newsletter

April 9, 2010

 

 

Grassroots Budget Meeting…

The Grassroots Budget Meeting went well for the most part with the exception of the loss of the audio feed during the course of the webcast. That problem was quickly remedied by Staff and everyone listened into the broadcast through conference call technology. There were many questions sent in over the web and all were addressed. We would have liked more participation from the members but those who did participate got a better understanding of the current budget and financial condition of the Society. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Board of Director’s Meeting

It is that time again for another Board Meeting. The Board will be meeting in Philadelphia next weekend to conduct the business of ASPE. We will be discussing many issues including the budget, bylaws, year’s end reports and the upcoming Convention. In addition, we will get a chance to meet with the host Chapter and see the Convention Center. If you or your Chapter has any questions or comments that you would like me to relay to the Board, please let me know no later than Wednesday. I will be glad to present your concerns to the Board and get you the answers to your questions.

 

ASPE Publication Blowout…

You should have already received some information in the mail regarding the ASPE publication liquidation sale. There are many volumes of ASPE books that are on sale with some selling for less than half the original price. This is your opportunity to pick up a few great reference books at a reduced cost. The more books you order, the more you save.

Elections…

Chapter elections continue to be a hot topic. Time is running out for those Chapters who are looking for a few new volunteers. I know it is not an easy task but if your Chapter and Society are going to continue to grow, we need to generate some interest from our members. Good luck recruiting new officers and if I can be of assistance, please let me know.

This is also an election year for the Society Board of Directors. The term begins immediately upon election at the Convention and runs for a period of two years. If you feel a Board member is not living up to your expectations or you do not like the direction the Society is taking or maybe you are just looking for a new challenge, please consider running for a position. Regardless of your motives, if you want to help out your Society, submit an application and run for one of the positions on the Board. Applications are available on the ASPE website.

Full Day Workshops…

The Society will be hosting two intensive hands on all day workshops that are designed for the application, practice and principles of plumbing engineering, design and construction. The final details are being worked out now but the sessions will be held in Atlanta on May 3^rd and 4th; Chicago May 24^th and 25th; Dallas on May 26^th and 27th and Alexandria, VA on June 28^th and 29th. Member price is $595 and non-member price is $775 with discounts for multiple workshops or multiple attendees from the same office. Please see the ASPE website for more information.

Membership

I just received the latest report from Society and the membership count for Region 2 has dipped to 741 members. We have experienced a gradual decline in members so I need to ask every Chapter to keep contacting those members who appear on your final notice reports. Please encourage them to retain their membership with the Society and remind them of everything that ASPE has to offer. I also need to ask you to continue recruiting new members. We need to boost our membership totals and make sure the engineering community knows all about ASPE.

How Fast Can it Go…

As you may have already read in the Pipeline, the Society is bringing back the popular “How Fast Can it Go” car races which will be held in Philadelphia at the Convention. Rules and materials will be sent out at a later date but Chapters should start developing ideas for their entries. Hopefully Region 2 will be well represented at the races.

 

Region 2 Highlights…

ASPE members are very demanding and the Chapters of Region 2 are certainly meeting those demands. Every Chapter is well rounded and continues to offer quality technical sessions, trade shows, special seminars and the occasional social events for their members and the local engineering community. Keep up the great work and keep your members engaged in quality ASPE events. Here is the latest and greatest from around the Region:

• The Buffalo-Niagara Chapter will be holding their April meeting at a Contractor’s Conference / Training facility to see how they take a project from design through fabrication. They will also be reviewing 3D models and a NavisWorks animation.

• An Oil Interceptor Sizing and Selection seminar will be presented by the Central Indiana Chapter next week. At the end of the month, the Chapter will be hosting another technical meeting in Evansville, Indiana in an effort to start a satellite Chapter.

• A discussion on Fire Pumps and NFPA 20 will be presented by the Central Ohio Chapter later this month.

• The Cleveland Chapter hosted a Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour this past week and will be presenting a seminar on Residential Fire Sprinklers next week. They will also be holding a joint meeting with ASSE where they will be recognizing winners of the annual apprenticeship test.

• The Eastern Michigan Chapter will once again be presenting three different seminars this month. Their Basic Class will cover Natural Gas Systems and their Vendor Class will review Toilet Flushing Technologies. Their main Design Class is titled Practical Design & Implementation of Water Reuse Systems.

• A Drain and Storm Pipe Joining Systems seminar will be presented by the Johnstown Chapter this month. In addition, the Chapter is working on a No-Hub Coupling Challenge that will take place at the meeting.

• The Pittsburgh Chapter will be hosting a seminar next week that will be presented by a local Manufacturer’s Representative.

• The Rochester Chapter held a Plumbing 101 class last month titled an Overview of Major Plumbing Formulas and Information. Later this month, they will be taking a tour of the Holly Water Plant.

• The Southwestern Ohio Chapter is scheduled to present a CPVC Fire Sprinkler Systems seminar this month.

• The Western Michigan Chapter had over 100 people attend their annual seminar and trade show last month. The Chapter is now in the final stages of planning for their annual golf outing that will be held at the end of May.

Just a few reminders…

• The last installment of the CPD Review Webinar Series will be presented next Tuesday, April 13^th. The webinar starts at 2 PM Eastern Time and will last one hour. The cost is $75 for members and $135 for non-members and will be presented by Esteban Cabello.

• The CPD exam will be offered next weekend on the 16^th and 17^th depending on your location.

• Nominations for the ASPE Honor Roll of Employers are still being accepted. Nomination forms can be found in the P&O Manual.

• The Region 2 President’s Meeting will be held this year on June 4^th and 5^th in Pittsburgh. Please send a list of those planning on attending from your Chapter to Don Ditter as soon as possible.

• Please continue discussing the roles of Chapter Delegates and Alternates for the Convention. I recently sent out some information that will help guide you in your selection. The deadline for submission is July 15^th.

• Please keep sending me your monthly newsletters. I enjoy reading about the events happening within your Chapter.

• Don’t forget to update your Chapter websites. There are a few sites that are not working properly so I would encourage you to correct any problems. The members do look at your sites and they are a great source of information for them.

Have a great weekend and don’t forget to complete your tax forms!

Mitch Clemente, CPD

Region 2 Director