March 2019
In this issue…
Virginia Engineers Conference
February Quarterly Board Meeting
Threats to Licensure
MATHCOUNTS
Social Networking
New Certificate Program
Take the 2019 Milton F. Lunch Ethics Contest Challenge!
As Heard in “Communities”
Virginia Engineers Conference
Another successful Virginia Engineers Conference is in the books! Engineering professionals from around that state gathered in Newport News on March 5-6 to network, earn professional development hours in technical and managerial topics, and discuss important developments in the practice of engineering. Hats off to NSPE President Michael Aitken, P.E., F.NSPE, who joined us for the entire conference, and opened the conference with remarks on how NSPE works for engineers in advocacy for the profession and protection of licensure. VSPE hosted an evening reception on March 5, and we are planning even bigger events for VEC 2020 and beyond! If you would like to get involved in planning, please contact one of our VSPE board members.
Because it’s never too early to start planning for next year, please let us know if you have any ideas for professional development/session content, location preferences, related events/tours/golf, or other thoughts..
February Quarterly Board Meeting
The February 20 board meeting was busy as we discussed plans for upcoming events, threats to licensure in Virginia, member recruitment, public outreach, and opportunities for collaboration with other societies. Carlos Gittens, NSPE’s Southeast Region director, attended the board meeting and – because it was National Engineers Week – the annual banquet sponsored by the Richmond Joint Engineers Council at the historic and iconic Jefferson Hotel that evening. Next board meeting is Monday, May 13 in Fredericksburg if you would like to add something to the agenda.
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Threats to Licensure
The General Assembly session ended with no major threats to licensure enacted, although we were monitoring several bills. Please check NSPE’s interactive “Threats to Licensure” map and alert VSPE if you know of existing, developing, or potential threats to licensure – through mechanisms including, but not limited to, legislative proposals, agency rules, local ordinances, policies, guidance documents, or contracting processes and procedures. Staying involved is the only way to ensure the continued health and stability of our profession!
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MATHCOUNTS
As many of you know because you have been involved as volunteers, NSPE and VSPEare sponsors of the MATHCOUNTS program that operates through the Virginia Department of Education. Our own board members Becky Golden, who is state coordinator, and Georg Dahl, have been heavily involved, as usual. The state competition is scheduled for March 16 at J. Sargent Reynolds Community College in Richmond. Look for news and photos on the event in our next newsletter and on our Twitter and LinkedInpages! Speaking of which…
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Social Networking
Don’t forget to check out and follow VSPE on LinkedIn and Twitter (@vspe_). It’s a source of professional news, interesting developments, fun facts, and occasional humor at our own expense! If you have an announcement you would like to post on these accounts, or on our VSPE web page, please contact one of the VSPE board members.
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New Certificate Program
Calling all college engineering students: We’re offering a new young professional’s skills certificate program that will be designed to help you on your career path towards becoming a professional engineer. Those interested should send us a DM on Twitter @VSPE_ for more details.
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Take the 2019 Milton F. Lunch Ethics Contest Challenge!
All current NSPE members through their state societies and chapters (including student chapters) are invited to participate in the 2019 NSPE Milton F. Lunch Ethics Contest. The winning entry will receive an award of $2,000, a certificate, and recognition in PEmagazine.
How to Participate…
NSPE’s Board of Ethical Review is furnishing you with two different fact situations to choose from regarding the ethics of engineers, or you can submit your own case! Please choose either of the two situations (or use your own case) and develop an essay, video, photo essay, poster, or PowerPoint presentation, which could include embedded videos/sound, etc., to demonstrate your understanding of the facts and the NSPE Code of Ethics.
Contestants are asked to read the facts of the case, then develop a discussion and conclusion to respond to the included question(s). Contestants should also provide references, citing specific sections of the Code of Ethics. Contestants may also want to check the NSPE Board of Ethical Review’s website for additional cases decided by the BER.
All entries must be received by Monday, April 15.
Access all the contest rules and download the flyer.
The contest is named for NSPE’s former general counsel, who played a key role in the founding of the NSPE Board of Ethical Review.
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As Heard in “Communities”
NSPE’s Communities is the place for members to connect online with colleagues. Log in for knowledge exchange, content curation, collaboration, and professional networking. No matter what your interest, you can find great content in the Open Forum. Check out these recent discussions:
Driver’s License Approach
“We need to point to the way driver’s licenses work nationally as a model for national respect of a professional engineer. A driver has a license in one state and it is recognized in every other state. Are driving laws different state to state, and is safety involved in driving a vehicle? Clearly the answer is yes.”
Role of Safety Through Engineering in the Natural Gas Pipeline Industry
“I would like to take a moment to expand on the role of the engineering profession in the natural gas pipeline industry. This statement is intended to be an informative piece on how this role aligns with the fundamental canons of NSPE’s Code of Ethics. My statement will explain the fundamentals of pipeline safety regulations to my fellow members—regulations that are rooted in sound engineering principles.”
Also see: “Emergency Response”