Being an ASPE member has always been important to me, and I’m sure it has been for you as well. I’ve found it valuable to have a place where I was assured of receiving assistance with anything that may arise from day to day in making the correct decisions relative to protecting the health, welfare, and safety of the public in everything we do.
For our members, knowing that ASPE is the international organization for professionals skilled in the design, specification, and inspection of plumbing systems is an important reason to join the Society and continue to maintain their membership, as ASPE is dedicated to the advancement of the science of plumbing engineering and to the professional growth and advancement of our members.
Your ASPE membership provides you with technical data and information, sponsored activities that will facilitate interaction with fellow professionals, and, through advanced continuing education, the ability to expand your base of knowledge in the plumbing engineering industry. ASPE members have proven to be leaders in innovative plumbing design, effective materials and energy use, and the application of advanced techniques throughout the world.
In sharing this bit of information, I feel the need to expound on some additional benefits—13 to be exact—that ASPE provides to our members. I’ve taken this information from one of ASPE’s marketing pieces that outlines multiple benefits of being a member, which is called “Making the Most of Your Membership.”
Member Benefit Tip #1: Build a Killer Network
One of ASPE’s greatest benefits is its members. Everyone is busy at home and at work, but members who attend Chapter meetings, Conventions & Expositions, and Symposiums are more likely to build a killer contact list. Our members are eager to help you in your next plumbing engineering problem, which undoubtedly will make you more competitive in the workforce.
Whether you are in sales or engineering, you sell yourself every day. ASPE has many local networking opportunities for you to meet professionals who possess the skills and training necessary to help you out of a tight spot or put you in touch with someone who can help you. If you are not able to attend a Chapter meeting, ASPE Connect offers you a way to build your network online.
Member Benefit Tip #2: Ask a Member for Help
Being a member in ASPE enables you to call upon a friend for help. Your Chapter Officers know who does what. Call your Chapter leaders when you are stumped on the job and ask for help. More times than not, you will find a fellow member who is more than willing and able to assist you with your problem. ASPE members treat other members just like family; it’s our single most valuable membership benefit.
Member Benefit Tip #3: Boost Your Industry Visibility
Demonstrate your abilities to lead and boost your industry visibility by volunteering to join your Chapter Board of Directors or apply to join the Society Board of Directors. Employers, clients, and coworkers respect and look up to ASPE Chapter and Society Officers. Without our leaders, we would not have a Society; it’s worth the work.
Member Benefit Tip #4: Expand Your Knowledge and Earn CEUs
ASPE produces webinars for members to expand their knowledge of plumbing systems and design. Members pay about half the price as nonmembers and if the webinar is sponsored, members can participate for free, so this is a great member benefit. Just visit ASPE Education to access all of our current and on-demand webinars.
Through our special Read, Learn, Earn series, ASPE also can help you accumulate the CEUs required for maintaining your CPD or CPDT credential or other regulatory agency CEU programs for your Professional Engineer license. This benefit is free to members and $35 for nonmembers. If you get 90 percent correct on the quiz, you will receive your 0.1 CEU in your inbox.
Member Benefit Tip #5: Track Your CEUs
We’ve seen some extraordinary new things come out of ASPE in the past couple of years, but this benefit is as good as it gets. Did you know that you can track your CEUs on ASPE Education? Just visit My Education in the menu (you must be signed in to see My Education.) This takes you to your dashboard where you can click on Transcript/Achievements.
All of your ASPE-sponsored CEUs will already be populated in this table, but you can also add other CEUs from other sources. This member benefit is invaluable in keeping your CEUs current, and it’s only offered to members. Don’t get caught empty-handed when the eventual audit for your credential comes around.
Member Benefit Tip #6: Meet Potential Clients/Members
If you are an Affiliate member, in sales, who steps up and takes on a membership role, you are in a unique position to promote ASPE and your company. Your leadership role is a valuable way to place yourself in front of prospective clients and members. Talk to your Chapter Board of Directors and see what you can do to promote yourself and ASPE.
Member Benefit Tip #7: Learn How to Mentor Others
ASPE has mentor opportunities through our Mentoring Program so you can help foster the career of another member. Opportunities are available for all members. Leave your mark on our Society.
Member Benefit Tip #8: Add Letters to Your Name
We all market ourselves every day with everything we do, and ASPE can help with programs that can add letters to your name: our Certified in Plumbing Design (CPD), Certified Plumbing Design Technician (CPDT), and Green Plumbing Design (GPD) programs. These programs will help others instantly recognize your leadership and expertise in the plumbing design industry.
Member Benefit Tip #9: Access Your ASPE Account
Accessing your ASPE account has never been easier. Visit aspe.org and click on the LOGIN tab in the upper right-hand corner. If you know your username or email address and your password, enter them and you will be done. If you do not know your username and password but know your email address, click on the “Request a New Password” tab.
If you are having trouble logging in to your ASPE account or you can’t remember your member number, your Chapter Vice President, Membership has a roster with this information. Call or email them and they will be happy to help you access your account.
Member Benefit Tip #10: Membership Renewal
ASPE has made it easier than ever to renew your membership. Log in to aspe.org as you ordinarily do and then to the left of the login button is a green “Join/Renew” button. Just click and you’ll be renewed in no time.
Member Benefit Tip #11: Special-Interest Groups
ASPE Young Professionals (AYP) is designed for young industry professionals looking to meet with peers to share experiences, exchange ideas about the plumbing design industry, and network with other Chapter members. The focus of AYP is to help young plumbing engineers, design professionals, and practitioners establish contacts and further the mission of the Society. ASPE members 35 years old and younger are all included in this special-interest group.
The core mission of the Women of ASPE (WOA) is to engage, retain, and advance women in the plumbing design industry, through education, leadership development, and networking opportunities. WOA is committed to bringing together women and assisting them to achieve their professional and personal goals.
Member Benefit Tip #12: ASPE Tables
The ASPE Plumbing Engineering & Design Handbook of Tables is a tool to help members with pipe sizing, equations, and more. This information is available not only as a book, but it is also available in both the Apple App Store and in the Google Play Store, offering members a portable way to access these valuable tables from their phones. More recently, the tables have become available for download to your Mac or PC. Just visit the ASPE Bookstore and you can have these tables at your fingertips.
Member Benefit Tip #13: Career Center
ASPE’s Career Center is a valuable tool for ASPE members seeking new jobs or those looking for experienced plumbing engineers to join their team.
I hope you’ve learned more about the value of an ASPE membership by the provision of these member benefit tips. Let’s all work together moving forward by continuing to focus on increasing the benefits of ASPE membership. We can only be successful through the willingness of each ASPE member.
So, as an ASPE member, or a prospective member, I hope you will plan to continue your respective growth in the Society to the point that, one day, you are one of ASPE’s benefits just by your participation. Either way, a good member is a benefit, period.
Thanks for allowing me the time to visit with you today through this column of the ASPE Pipeline. Thanks for your willingness to give your time and talents to our great Society.
Stay healthy and safe!
Carry on…
