As I sit down to write this message, I reflect on my past President’s messages; there is a recurring theme time and time again.  Why is that?  The answer is simple; there are a few key activities that really drive a lot of what we do as a chapter.  We provide education opportunities through our chapter programs, our seminars and Showcase.  We facilitate the certification process, and we communicate information to our members.  All of this takes a tremendous amount of volunteerism.  Each May we acknowledge members for their commitment to the chapter through our Awards program; it’s really wonderful to be recognized.  I have had the honor in the past; it makes me proud to be a member of our chapter.  Awards are important but I think acknowledging people throughout the year is important as well. 

There have been so many people that have volunteered this year, it is impossible to recognize everyone.  Over the next couple of months, I want to point out a few people that I feel have really gone above and beyond the call of duty.  I hope these people will serve as an inspiration to you and encourage you to get involved.  Your involvement is critical because we never have enough people to do all the work we do. 

It seems very timely to acknowledge Bruce Saline and Nancy Gulliford.  Both of them have done so much for this chapter.  Our Construction Showcase was a success this year, thanks to Bruce, Nancy and the Showcase committee.  The educational programs provided at the Showcase were excellent and very current.  I hope that those of you who were not able to attend this year please consider next years event.  The plans are already being formulated.  We try to make it bigger and better every year.  We are fortunate to have those kinds of educational opportunities available to us; and I feel it is easy to take that for granted. 

Nancy and Bruce do more than Showcase.  Nancy is coordinating Engineers week.  This is a program we have done for several years; it was Alana Griffith’s idea originally.  Several chapter members work with students at Sandberg Middle school teaching them about engineering and the wonderful job opportunities available to engineers.  We also teach them how to build geodesic domes.  It is really fun to see the kids learn, and come to understand how many options are available to them in the future.  So many people help with this program it is difficult to mention them all.  However, I would like to acknowledge one person that does things behind the scenes on a regular basis: Audrey Brucker.  She counted out and bagged all the toothpicks for the geodesic domes.  Audrey also handles all of our chapter acknowledgements if a chapter member has a death in the family or an illness.  She also puts together our ballots for our chapter elections.  Please note that ballots are out and we hope you will take the time to vote. 

If you have suggestions on how to do that, please contact me at 612-309-4373.