Dear Members,

One thing I have learned in my career and certainly in this year as President of SEAOSC, is that you cannot do everything. There is only so much time and even with all the drive in the world, everyone needs some help. Our community at SEAOSC is one of our greatest strengths and our ability to achieve great things comes from the dedication of many people working together to create all that we do. I have been fortunate to be President the past year of this amazing Association and if getting help or delegating some of the workload wasn't part of my role as President, I am not sure how much would have been achieved.

I shared with you in my newsletters over the course of the year, my "thoughts and words to work (and live by…. i.e. Thoughts for Leadership)". They are words written on a note card that I keep on my desk and they include Attitude, Gratitude, Kindness, Patience, Accountability, Efficiency, Trusted Advisor and Delegate. Somewhere in each day, I find at least one of these words helps me think through a critical decision or challenging conversation. 

So, in this last newsletter of my Presidency, delegating takes center stage. As a leader, if you do not delegate, you cannot achieve to the full potential of your company, team or association. And as I look back on the last year, I know that together we achieved so much and I am so thankful for all the hard work of our members and committees in making our profession and our organization, what we are today.

May was a big month for the Association. Our Structural Engineering Excellence and Safer Cities Awards were presented. A great group of members and guests attended the awards event held at the Mark Taper Auditorium in the Center Library in DTLA. Congrats to all our SEE awards winners and to our Safer Cities Partner, City and Member awardees. And a big Thank You to our event sponsors CSI, John A Martin and Associates, Arup, Miyamoto, Durafuse Frames,  and Fyfe. 

Coming up in June (and beyond) we have several events that should not be missed:

June (future) events: 

• June 12th - The Northridge 30 Earthquake Webinar - Episode 3: 30 Years of Progress in Quantification of Seismic Hazards

• June 13th - Joint Sustainability + Younger Member Committee Happy Hour Event

• June 26th - Technical Summit & President's Lunch at the City Club in DTLA

• July 11th - 2024 Golf Tournament Training Session @ Top Golf in Montebello.

• August 5th - Annual SEAOSC Golf Tournament at Friendly Hills CC in Whittier.

Be sure to come out to our Technical Summit and President's Lunch on June 26th. We have a great lineup of programs along with our annual Association Awards including the celebration of our newest SEAOC Fellow from our MO. Congratulations to Jeff Ellis!

Thank you again for everything you do for our Association and our profession. It has been a tremendous honor being your President for 2023-24. Thank you. I know we are in good hands with Garrett Mills who will take the reins as our 2024-25 SEAOSC President on July 1st. 

Hope to see you at an event soon!

Craig Chamberlain, S.E.
SEAOSC President 2023-24