Articles

We are now winding down on the last couple months of the 2010 – 2011 fiscal year, ending September 30th. We have accomplished much as a Branch and Board this year, but there are still a few important things remaining on the agenda that I would like our local members of the Society to consider.

Elections and Board Leadership – The Nominating Committee is in the process of selecting members of the Branch to run for elected positions.  In addition, your future President, Doug Smith, will be appointing committee chairs, who in turn will be selecting members to serve on their committees.  If YOU would like to assist the Dallas Branch in meeting the challenges that lie ahead, and YOU have the desire to serve in a position of leadership, please let one of the our current leaders know you are interested in serving in an great organization like ASCE.  You may contact me or any of the elected officers listed on the Dallas Branch Web Site.  The slate of officers for the 2011 – 2012 Fiscal Year will be introduced at the August Meeting, followed by elections in September and installation in October; so NOW is the time to step up and “Be a Leader!”

Long-term Financial Steering Committee - The Board of Directors is seeking information from past board officers and members of the Branch to help document the history and other aspects of the Scholarship Fund.  A Long-Term Financial Planning and Scholarship Fund Steering Committee is being formed to consider future scholarships, coordinate fundraising activities, and help with financial planning of the Branch.  If YOU have special expertise in the area of financial planning or policy-making, please consider serving on this committee.  Please contact Jeff Hawkins, President, or Doug Smith, President-Elect, to participate in this effort.

Let’s All “Discover Construction” at the Dallas Museum of Nature and Science– Please consider volunteering a couple hours of your time on the weekend of August 13 - 14.  The Dallas Branch will have an exhibit set up at an event called “Discover Construction” at the Dallas Museum of Nature & Science at Fair Park.  ASCE will have a booth set up from 9:30 am - 6 pm on Saturday and noon - 6 pm on Sunday.  Volunteers will show the kids what it means to be a Civil Engineer, by assisting the kids in hands-on activities and discussing the civil engineering profession and ASCE with kids and their parents.  Please volunteer by visiting the ASCE Dallas Branch Web Site and selecting the time slot on the volunteer sign-up sheet.  Contact our Education Chair Alison Smith for more information.  Join us for Great Fun * Education * Discovery *

Remembering those Dallas Branch Members who Passed On in 2010 - 2011 – We will have a short acknowledgement and recognition of those ASCE Dallas Branch Members who died in 2010 or thus far in 2011 at the August Branch Meeting.  We have received a list of our dearly departed members from the Texas Section, but if our members personally know of anyone, and have an obituary or bio of their life, please send an electronic copy to Jeff Hawkins or Brad Hernandez by August 3rd, at the e-mail addresses listed on the Branch Web Site.  We want to make sure that all members are duly recognized.

August Branch Meeting – Our next Branch Meeting will be at Noon, Monday, August 8th at the Dallas/Addison Marriott Quorum Hotel.  Our Speaker will be Mr. Bob Morris, P.E., Deputy District Engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).  His presentation will be about “Innovative Design & Solution for Medical Building Construction”.  Mr. Morris will also give an Overview of Upcoming USACE Projects, so you won’t want to miss it!  There will be a Technical Group Seminar by Paul Komoroske, P.E., Levee Safety Program Manager for the Fort Worth District USACE, on the topic “The Corps Approval Process to Modify Existing Levees” immediately following the Branch Meeting.