Matthew Barnard, S.E.
SEAOSC President
2020 is truly shaping up to be a year like no other. While there are unique challenges and uncertainty to this year, I am excited about the opportunity for the SEAOSC Community to come together and to make a difference. I hope you are too.
Over the summer, our Board made a fantastic commitment to a set of initiatives for 2020/2021. Today I would like to highlight two of those initiatives.
- Women in Structural Engineering (WiSE): One of our most active committees is WiSE. While providing a supportive community for many of our members, WiSE has been crucial in bringing the human side of our industry to the Association. We are excited that we will be having our next Personal Mastery Summit on Feb. 24. Huge thank you to the team from WiSE that is inspiring and shaping this event that will benefit of all. Over the summer, WiSE has also been exploring what is next for WiSE. This strategic planning effort is intended to help us make sure that WiSE remains a strong part of the SEAOSC community.
- Diversity & Inclusion (D&I): Following our June 26th event, a group of us stayed on the call and started talking about what SEAOSC can do now and in future to enhance our Diversity and Inclusivity. When we look in the mirror, the reality is that we can do better. Where are our black engineers? Why so few females on our technical committees? How do we keep all generations involved including getting the young members actively engaged throughout the organization? How are we supporting our LGBTQ+ members? Our friend Lorena Arce has stepped up to chair the SEAOSC D&I effort. Join the team. Lorena and team have been meeting weekly setting up the framework of the Initiative. Watch our social media feeds and this newsletter for opportunities to get involved and enhance the SEAOSC community.
Get involved and support WiSE and D&I however you can. Your insights and help are needed.
With all our program events and meetings being virtual at least until 2021, it has never been easier to get involved. No longer do you need to fight SoCal traffic. No longer do you have to travel long distances. We are simply a click away through our Zoom and GoToMeetings. To help you get SEAOSC on your calendar, visit the SEAOSC events page. We are posting all our events for the Program Year including an increased number of webinars. We also have adjusted our calendar to accommodate the SEAOC Convention being virtual the first week of December and the NCSEA Convention being virtual in November.
Our next event is a big one. On September 2nd, we will have our 2020 Awards Gala featuring the 2020 Safer Cities Awards and our 2020 Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards. This is a free event and registration is now open. Join us in celebrating some amazing structural and seismic engineering that has greatly improved our communities. We will even have a virtual Committee showcase before the event through Zoom breakouts where you can find out what is next for 2020 and how you could make a difference that might have you being celebrated next year!
For the Association to support our community, we need your help. Renew your memberships. Encourage your co-workers and friends to renew or join. If your firm leadership could use a nudge to support your involvement in the Association, please send me a note at mbarnard@degenkolb.com. Our Association is only stronger with all of us together.
