Last week, the ASCE National Director of Geographic Services visited me in Seattle. Because Geographic Services is suppose to support the Sections and Branches, I naïvely thought that I was going to receive some sage advice about my role and responsibility for the upcoming year. However, I was being set up for a donation. The National Director was conducting a study for the ASCE Foundation on raising funds on three new initiatives. The first question he asked, in an in-depth interview, was to express in two words what I thought about my profession? Thinking of my theme for the upcoming year, "A Passion for Your Profession", I naturally responded with "passionate". Then later I was asked if I would be willing to give money for these initiatives. I said, "yes". When I was asked if I would give $10,000, I responded that I was not that passionate.

• The multi-faceted campaign that we will be seeing in the next coming months will focus on three areas:
• Scholarships
• Civil Engineering Research
• Public Relations

Currently, ASCE provides scholarships to about 40 students a year, averaging about $2,000 per student. The national scholarship committee wants to increase the scholarship level and even set up an umbrella scholarship program that would include all Section and Branch scholarships. The Civil Engineering Research Foundation (CERF) was founded 10 years ago with the mission of increasing the use of innovative technology in the design and construction industry. They want to do more. Finally, National has been actively promoting the importance of public relations by giving grants to the Sections and Branches for the improvement of the civil engineer's public image. They want to further expand this effort through several new national public awareness programs. To support these three areas, ASCE plans to undertake a capital fund-raising campaign of $5 million.

My immediate reaction to the above programs was that I was not enthralled with donating money for National Scholarships or having National take control of our local scholarships. I'm also not convinced that CERF activities benefit our professional society. However, I did like the ideas set forth for civil engineering public awareness programs. They were exciting.

As many of you are probably aware, the Seattle Section has two scholarship programs, the Jones Award and the R. H. Thomson Scholarship. The Jones Award is a $1000 annual scholarship, while the R. H. Thomson generally packages a $5,000 scholarship to a worthwhile high school senior or college undergraduate. The aim of the scholarships is not only to attract some of the best and brightest into the civil engineering profession, but also to honor individuals who made a great contribution to the civil engineering profession. I feel that a National scholarship program would detract from the Seattle Section's local scholarship programs as well as other local scholarship programs. To me, scholarships are more effective from the grass routes level than at the National level. It was suggested that the National scholarship program would complement the local program. With more funds invested at the National level than local, the higher amounts would be better leverage to receive greater annual returns.

CERF's goal is to help push innovation out of the laboratory into practice by establishing a partnership among governmental agencies, private business and academic institutions. Many of you have probably contributed to CERF when paying a voluntary contribution upon dues renewals. I have contributed in the past, but have mixed feelings on whether ASCE should be subsidizing advancing technology for the benefit of private enterprise.

Finally, ASCE is looking into several public awareness programs that need funding, including:

1. A television program highlighting the historic contributions and future promise of civil engineering.
2. Establishing in Washington DC's National Building Museum a Civil Engineering Center, including a Hall of Fame open to the public year round.
3. Improving the Smithsonian Institution's decades-old civil engineering display so that it engages today's museum audience.
4. Development of a traveling exhibition that will rotate through museums and schools across the country.
5. Securing issuance of a postage stamp in 2002 that celebrates civil engineering just as the stamp did in 1952, marking ASCE's 100th Anniversary
6. Concentrated media awareness campaign.

Of the ideas above, I personally like items 3, 4 and 5. As a 16-year old, I was impressed with the civil engineering displays of the Smithsonian Institute when visiting Washington D. C. However, today they would seem silly to me. I like the idea of visiting a modern, interactive display of civil engineering achievement; rather that something that is antiquated. I also like the idea of a traveling exhibit, where the civil engineering profession would receive more media exposure. Also, the exhibit would present greater educational opportunities of students who might be interested in an engineering profession. Finally, having a stamp at our 150th year anniversary is something that would make me feel good about our profession-a form of celebration.

In conclusion, I feel that National should focus on raising money for only one of the three programs, namely public awareness. The other competing campaigns run concurrently would probably reduce the success of a worthwhile program. If you have any thoughts on Nationals new fund-raising campaign, please send me an e-mail at shart@rwbeck.com .

As a member of ASCE's Northwest Region, *your* concrete canoe team went to the National Competition in Rapid City, South Dakota last June and brought home the 5th place National Trophy! To achieve this, they beat out over 200 schools from across the country. At the November 11th meeting of the Seattle Section, you will have a chance to see the canoe up close and meet some of the team members. (By the way, this isn't some gray, concrete bathtub. It is as sleek as any canoe you've ever seen, and has a paint finish that is better than many cars !) We hope to see you at the November meeting. - Eric O'Brien

The newsletter editor for the Seattle Section of ASCE has changed.
Please send all upcoming information, press releases, news and requests to:.

Grace Kwok
Seattle Section Newsletter Editor
c/o Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade and Douglas
999 Third Avenue, Suite 2200
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 382-5234
Fax: (206) 382-5200
Email: kwok@pbworld.com

Dear Steve Hart,

I just read your column in the October newsletter. Nice piece of work. Anyway, I used to attend meeting religiously back in the late 80's but had kids and couldn't get away on Wednesday nights for many years. Now that Wednesday evenings are free again I'm attempting to get back to some meetings.

Here are a few ideas from someone who hasn't been to a meeting for years. Maybe some of these comments aren't valid anymore but here goes:

1. I like your idea about dressing down. Suits and ties are intimidating to newcomers and break down the gap between not only students and experienced engineers but the gap between new engineers and the experienced ones. I think even if most of us wear suits and ties during the day, we ought to leave them in the car when we attend meetings. Worth a try.

2. Maybe you could promote one upcoming monthly meeting with a New Attendee meeting theme in an effort to get more of the 2300 members out to the meeting. There are too many of us that read or scan newsletter after newsletter without giving a second thought towards actually attending a meeting. Don't you wonder where those other 2100 or so members are? (Maybe having kids?)

3. I like your idea for student mentors but what about new engineers? When I last attended a meeting years ago, I found the group to be cliquish. It seemed like I was the only one there that didn't know anyone else there. It doesn't take many of these tough social encounters to turn away a prospective attendee for good. What could be done to break the ice with these new members? Maybe a 'regular' could walk a new person around and introduce them to a few others? Introduction in front of the whole group might be a little uncomfortable for most.

You can add me to the possible mentor list too. I hope to meet you at an upcoming meeting. I'll be the guy without the tie.

Sincerely,
Tim Lane

Dear Editor:

Steve Hart had an excellent article in the October 1998 issue of the Section Newsletter responding to the question of a member "What do we get for paying $30." This references the Section dues that a member can pay.

In the economic world economists use the terms "direct and indirect benefits". I believe that Steve was addressing both these concepts in his response. Sometimes people only think in terms of direct benefits. But we need to expand our horizons to indirect benefits as well.

For example, the Section provides funds to the Associate Member Forum to carry out their programs and activities. There is an indirect benefit to me personally because these associate members are learning leadership. Leadership qualities in the future are essential to promoting the profession and help to develop public policy. You will note that in another of Steve's article he mentions that engineers are noted for integrity second only to priests. I believe that the money I pay helps this professional integrity in myself but also in society.

Section funds also go to the Student Chapters. This provides opportunity for the Section members to mentor engineering students and help them grow professionally. There is a direct benefit if I am a mentor through the gratification of helping someone. I may not be a mentor but my financial support provides an indirect benefit by developing better qualified engineers in the workplace. This helps firms/agencies to have a better success in recruiting and retention. Better students and better engineers are good for society.

There are many other secondary and tertiary benefits for everything the Section does. Every member can find something in all the activities and the programs of the Section. All we have to do is look and think.

Sincerely,

John Welch

Dear Steve,

I appreciated reading your article in the ASCE October newsletter and would like to make a couple of observations.

I have been a practicing professional for over 30 years and have always been a member of at least one organization, i.e., structural, civil or NSPE and it seems like we are always trying to "improve our image". When we are second only to priests, where do we really expect to go with this? Maybe we are just looking for a pat on the back from the public? If this is the case, it will never happen. I think that we should quit putting so much emphasis on "image". We have nothing to gain here except making the membership feel guilty because we don't get mentioned enough (or at all) in the newspapers.

You indicated that our leadership abilities need to be more recognized by the public. There is a reason that they are not. Most engineers are not trained to be leaders and the public knows this (does anybody read Dilbert?). We, by and large, are not leaders. We are technical people trained to solve problems with a paper and pencil. I have a very healthy respect for academia although I think that they are not really capable of solving our technical day-to-day problems in a cost efficient manner - but my views beyond that are another matter. I think that our schools have greatly mis-served us when it comes to leadership and business skills. We should try to emphasize to our colleagues in academia that this is a gap that needs to be filled. And they will probably have to reach out to the practicing engineering community in order to obtain the expertise to teach this.

Thanks for listening to me.

Keep up the good work!

Jim Persing

Steve,

I have some questions that I'm hoping you will help me answer.

In the mailing from ASCE national there is an increased membership fee with the extra $8 going to the Seattle section. Having read your article in the newsletter and hearing the topic being brought up at one of last year's meetings, I would agree that the mandatory section fee is good policy. However, the current listing of the fee on their renewal form confuses many of our members. They don't know whether to pay it or not. Before replying to them, I wanted to check with you. Is the fee currently mandatory?

Another related question would have to do with the student cost for section membership. While the fee isn't that much, I'm thinking that it might be appropriate to offer a discount to student members or waive the fee altogether. I think that students may be discouraged from becoming national members when they are faced with three levels of charges: one for student chapter membership, another for national membership, and final another for section membership. Will the Seattle Section consider reducing the section membership fee for students?

Thanks,

Kurt Zimmers
ASCE UW President

Kurtis, In response to your question, Section Dues are voluntary. With, National Dues being $140, about 50% of Section Membership pay the additional $30 voluntarily. If ASCE's National Board decides to make Section Dues mandatory, then each Section will decide what will be the Section Dues portion. For the Seattle Section, the adjustment would likely be from $30 to between $15 and $20. For students, I agree that Section dues should be waived. This will need to be discussed and voted upon by your Section Board.

Steve Hart

Geotechnical Group News

The next meeting of the Geotechnical Group will be joint with the Seattle Section on November 11, 1998. Tom Gurtowski of Shannon & Wilson, Inc. and Bert Miner of GRL and Associates, Inc. will be discussing pile foundation construction and the quality assurance program at the new Safeco Field. They will present results of dynamic tests on the driven steel piles and methods used to repair piles that did not meet specifications. An abstract and meeting information is printed elsewhere in this issue. The presentation should also provide you with a feel for what the finished stadium will be like - valuable information when you make your seat selection.

"Excavation support systems and dewatering" will be the subject of the 1999 Geotechnical Group Spring Seminar. If you would have case history or innovative design or construction technique that you would like to present at this seminar, can recommend potential speakers, or if you would like to help with seminar planning please contact Lei Lu at Golder Associates (425-883-0777, lei_lu@golder.com). The seminar will be held on the University of Washington campus March or April.

This fall the geotechnical group will be awarding a $1000 scholarship to a deserving graduate student. Candidates must be currently enrolled in a geotechnical engineering graduate program at a university within the geographical territory covered by the Seattle Section. Applications are available from Matt Smith at GeoEngineers (425-861-6000, msmith@geoengineers.com) and Professor Bob Holtz at the University of Washington (206-543-7614, holtz@u.washington.edu). The deadline for submission of the applications is October 31, 1998. We hope to award the scholarship during the joint Section - Geotechnical Group meeting on November 11.

The fall issue of the Groundhog will be printed in November. Send articles and announcements you would like included to Matt Smith (contact info above) ASAP.

Stan Boyle
Chair - Geotechnical Group

CIVIL ENGINEER P.E./E.I.T
The Sammamish Plateau Water & Sewer District is planning to hire a Licensed Civil Engineer or Engineer-In-Training, with four to six years' experience in municipal utility design and construction, for full-time employment. The position involves design and design review of water and sewer facilities, preparation of construction contract documents and specifications, permit acquisition, administration of construction projects, and other duties, as needed. Candidates should be skilled in computer programs for word processing, databases, spreadsheets, and have a working knowledge of AutoCAD. A B.S.C.E. degree and a P.E. or E.I.T. license in the State of Washington is required. Qualified candidates can show their interest by submitting resumes to: Sid Porter, P.E., Engineering Manager; Sammamish Plateau Water & Sewer District; 1510 - 228th Ave. SE; Issaquah, WA 98029. The District provides excellent benefits, maintains a smoke-free and drug-free workplace, and is an Equal Opportunity Employer."

PROJECT MANAGER/ENGINEER
Donald B. Murphy Contractors, Inc. (DBM), a nationally recognized design/build company that specializes in the design and construction of anchored earth retention structures, large and small diameter drilled foundation support systems, ground improvement and treatment techniques and specialty steel erection and heavy rigging projects, is seeking a qualified engineer in its Federal Way, Washington home office. Interested applicants shall have a BSCE degree in Civil Engineering with a strong background in both structural and geotechnical engineering. Individuals should be results oriented, have good communication skills, be capable of effectively working with others and enjoy working in design/build specialty geotechnical construction. Duties will initially be in the area of office/field design engineering, cost estimating and will grow with experience to include construction management, marketing, sales, and contract negotiation. Please send resumes to: Donald B. Murphy Contractors, Inc.; 1220 S. 356th; Federal Way, WA 98003-7464; Attn: Tom Armour. DBM is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 20, 1999. The Fourth Annual Popsicle Stick Bridge Building Competition will be held at the Center House at the Seattle Center. This is an outstanding opportunity to examine the results of hours of hard work and dedication by high school engineers throughout the Puget Sound.

Last year's event was a tremendous success. Thirty seven teams representing twenty four high schools fiercely competed for the titles of strongest bridge, highest load to weight ratio, most aesthetically pleasing bridge, and the bridge most likely to be used for the rapid transit project. Olympic High School took the title of strongest bridge, which had a crushing force of 1278 pounds and a strength-to-weight ratio of 1514. Extremely talented celebrity judges, John Stanford, Myint Lwin, Richard Miller, Paul Bay, Audrey Moreland, and Art Borst made last year's event extra special.

While still several months away, the Associate Member Forum (AMF) of ASCE is actively preparing for the upcoming contest. The kick-off meeting was held on September 30 under the direction of PSB coordinator Aeli Kim. AMF Members and UW Civil Engineering students will be visiting high schools in November, December, and January to promote the contest and to instruct the students in the art of Bridge Building. Then it will be up to these high school students to exercise their engineering skills and ingenuity to construct sturdy, attractive, and lightweight bridges conforming to strict dimension, weight, and assembly specifications. Other planning details include locating a testing machine, selecting celebrity judges, and acquiring prizes. If you know of anyone who can help us out in these areas, please email Aeli Kim at af@isomedia.com.

Contest day will provide high school students with outstanding opportunities to learn about the engineering profession. AMF Members and UW Civil Engineering students will serve as consultants during the contest. The Center House at the Seattle Center will be filled with a variety of engineering exhibits as this event is held in conjunction with National Engineers Week.

Last year's event had over 200 volunteers, 2000 spectators, and outstanding media coverage. This translates into outstanding publicity for companies willing to donate money and prizes. Companies interested in assisting in this area and having a major role in the lives of our future engineers are encouraged to email Aeli Kim at af@isomedia.com.

Last year's event was a considerable success, and this year's will be even more so. Please come out on Saturday, February 20, 1999 to witness the results of considerable work, insight, and ingenuity on the part of local high school engineers. Thank you.

-David M. Schwegel, Applications Engineer
Intersection Development Corporation