Removal of PE Exemption for Gas Utility Plans and Specifications Signed into Law
Membership Input Sought for the 2021 Virginia Engineers Conference (VEC)
In Memory: Richard “Dick” Bidwell, P.E., F.NSPE
VSPE Board Examines Current Tiered Membership Structure
Shout Out for Donations Raised for the VSPE Educational Fund!
Are You “In the Know”?
NSPE Member Profiles
Register for the Virtual PECon 2020
Call for 2020–21 Volunteers
Aiming for Leadership? This Program’s for You
Advocacy Opportunity: Speak Out for Future Pes
Removal of PE Exemption for Gas Utility Plans and Specifications Signed into Law
The General Assembly passed the following language during the 2020 session:
The Commission shall promulgate regulations requiring that a licensed professional engineer exercise responsible charge, as defined in § 54.1-400, over engineering projects that (i) involve gas pipeline facilities, as defined in the federal regulations promulgated under 49 U.S.C § 60101 et seq., as amended and adopted by the State Corporation Commission, and the federal pipeline safety laws, and (ii) may present a material risk to public safety.
A working group has been established to develop regulations defining when a PE seal will be required for construction and maintenance operations, and the Governor’s Order specifically calls for one member of this working group to represent VSPE. Michael A. Lo Presti, PE, CSDP and President & Managing Principal of Presti & Company, Inc. is our member and Georg W. Dahl, PE who is Retired Civil Service Mechanical Engineer and our APELSCIDLA Representative is our alternate member.
Membership Input Sought for the 2021 Virginia Engineers Conference (VEC)
VSPE has partnered with Virginia’s Chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies ACEC/VA for several years to hold the annual Virginia Engineers Conference (VEC). The event was cancelled last March due to COVID 19. ACEC/VA has advised us that next year’s event will include the Virginia Chapters of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). The 2021 event will be called ACE: Architects, Contractors and Engineers.
We would like to know what you think of this new partnership. Should VSPE be part of next year’s ACE conference with ACEC/VA, should we hold an independent event, or something in between? Send us your thoughts in an e-mail to va.pe.society@outlook.com.
In Memory: Richard “Dick” Bidwell, P.E., F.NSPE
Longtime VSPE member Dick Bidwell passed away on May 9, at 91. He was a 1950 graduate of Virginia Tech and VSPE’s Engineer of the Year in 1974. Dick worked as an engineer for Reynolds Metals Company/Alcoa, eventually serving as Director of Energy Resources and then Director of Contracts/Regulations. He retired from the United States Air Force Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel. Read the full obituary.
VSPE Board Examines Current Tiered Membership Structure
In July 2017, NSPE developed four tiers of membership structure for state societies and at that same time, VSPE began volunteer management. We elected the second highest tier (Premium). The higher the tier, the greater services provided by NSPE and the less revenue we receive with member renewals each month. We are examining lowering our tier affiliation and would like your input as we decide what services our members value. Here are ideas to get the conversation going: Social Media (how important is Facebook or LinkedIn to you?); Online Educational Offerings such as webinars (what subjects are of value to you?). Let us know ways to improve your experience as a VSPE member by sending an e-mail to us at va.pe.society@outlook.com.
Shout Out for Donations Raised for the VSPE Educational Fund!
Over the past year, we have received over $7,000 in donations to the Educational Fund. Thank you to all of our friends and colleagues!
Are You “In the Know”?
Members who want to get a quick overview of the Society’s news should check out out the June “In the Know with NSPE” video on YouTube. The 15-minute presentation by President-Elect Tricia Hatley, P.E., F.NSPE, covers topics like the reopening of licensing and certification exams, PE magazine highlights, a breakdown of the Society’s strategic plan , advocacy efforts on behalf of PEs, the upcoming Virtual Professional Engineers Conference , the Society’s statement on social injustice, and the Emerging Leaders Program.
NSPE Member Profiles
Several months ago, a member pointed out to us that your profile on NSPE’s member page assigns us to one of the active chapters: Northern Virginia, Tidewater and Lynchburg. Other chapters over the years have become inactive and the old zip codes that defined inactive chapters “need a home” so to speak. We have an idea to assign everyone to one of the three active chapters. In other words, we can split the Commonwealth into three large areas. This will make everyone part of an active chapter. Our Board has suggested we look in to holding virtual Chapter meetings and this will really unite and energize Chapters from our current activity and communication level. Again, let us know what you think about this idea by e-mailing us at va.pe.society@outlook.com.
Register for the Virtual PECon 2020
Registration is now open for the 2020 Virtual Professional Engineers Conference (PECon) on August 3–7 with events centered around the annual celebration of PE Day on August 5.
Virtual PECon sessions can be experienced in a live virtual environment or by accessing recordings at a more convenient time. The virtual conference will also provide networking and social connection with colleagues by region and areas of practice in addition to professional development opportunities.
PECon at a Glance:
- Keynote sessions featuring IBM’s Global Chief Technology Officer and the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board
- Session: Ensuring Successful Stakeholder and Community Involvement
- Session: Stormwater Pollution Prevention Planning: Compliance Guidelines for Your Facility
- Session: Professional Engineer’s Role in Artificial Intelligence and Technology
- Session: Ethics of Sustainable Design
- Session: Shrinking the Distance for Virtual Teams to Succeed
There are three registration options:
- Single Session provides individual one PDH sessions for $39 ($99 for nonmembers);
- Day Track provides access to three PDH sessions, networking morning “coffee talk” roundtables, and evening post session discussions for $99 ($279 for nonmembers); and
- All-Access Pass provides 15 PDH sessions with networking morning “coffee talk” roundtables each day and event post session discussions for $249 ($1,149 for nonmembers).
Nonmembers can join NSPE for $299 and receive member pricing.
Virtual PECon 2020 Free for Students
NSPE is providing the opportunity for student members to participate in the upcoming Virtual Professional Engineers Conference 2020 for free on August 3–7. Student members who register for the conference can sign up for a track or an all-access pass and can also attend networking events, including morning coffee talks and evening round table discussions. Register now.
Register now to customize your attendance package for live events August 3–7.
Call for 2020–21 Volunteers
NSPE needs your knowledge, expertise, and time to assist our organization carry out its vision, mission, and meet the goals of the strategic plan. Volunteer positions begin in August and end at the annual conference in 2021.
These opportunities are organized into three types with various levels of engagement.
Engagement Level 1: Standing committees and select committees require the highest engagement level. They often involve attending at least one in-person meeting in conjunction with the annual meeting. Most meetings are held via conference call.
Engagement Level 2: These volunteer positions are responsible for organization activities and involve assignment to a committee, task force, or other group. Activities primarily include e-mail and conference calls.
Engagement Level 3: Ad hoc volunteers take part in activities on a project-by-project basis.
Submit forms by July 15 to be considered for a 2020–21 term.
Aiming for Leadership? This Program’s for You
If you’re starting your engineering career and looking toward a future of leadership, NSPE is excited to offer an opportunity to participate in the Emerging Leaders Program. The NSPE Emerging Leaders Program is an intensive seven month, professionally facilitated, focused, practical, virtual program for emerging leaders. Between August 5 (Professional Engineers Day) and February 27 (National Engineers Week) participants will receive specific, relevant training and application on how to be successful at higher levels of leadership responsibility.
The target audience for the Emerging Leaders Program is for promising early-career professionals with 5-8 years of experience who are just beginning to lead and think strategically in the profession and their careers. The reality-based curriculum focuses on the core skills necessary to think strategically, build effective teams, deliver great service for their most valued clients, and lead successfully.
Learn more and apply by July 1, 2020.
Advocacy Opportunity: Speak Out for Future PEs
You have an opportunity today to advocate for the future of the engineering profession! H.R. 5339 (Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act) amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow students with 529 Education Accounts to use those funds for expenses related to obtaining a post-education credential—including the PE license. Funds could be used for expenses associated with both exam prep and the exam itself.
The bill needs additional cosponsors in order to move forward. As NSPE’s Government Relations team continues talking with House offices, your support of H.R. 5339 is crucial. The more support we have from NSPE members, the stronger position we’re in to ask House Representatives to sign on.
You have the opportunity to take multiple actions if you’d like, starting with writing a letter , then following up with either a Tweet or a phone call. Or all three, if you’re feeling especially ambitious!
Feel free to contact Stephanie Hamilton if you have any questions, or if you’d just like to talk about advocacy! Hamilton can be reached at 703-684-2844 or shamilton@nspe.org .