Welcome to FY10! September 2, 2008

Aloha Region A,

I would like to welcome you to our Region A blog! My name is Yvonne Midkiff and I’m the Regional Collegiate Communications Editor (RCCE) for FY10.

As the Region A RCCE (based in Honolulu, Hawaii), I will be updating this blog with SWE regional and national news…along with monthly hot topics and posts from our Governor  and Regional Collegiate Represenative (RCR) . I am very excited for the upcoming year and hope you are too.   Please continually check back on the blog as I will be frequestly making updates and posting very important information.   Also, feel free to send any feedback via the comments section or directly to me at rcce-a@swe.org.  If you like to contribute to the blog in the form of posts, pictures, videos, etc., please contact me.  I would love to share big news happening in your sections.  Remember, this is YOUR blog and if there is something you want to see, don’t hesitate to ask.  Let’s take advantage of this opportunity to communicate between other SWE collegiate sections.

Yvonne Midkiff
Region A – RCCE
rcce-a@swe.org

REGION A CONFERENCE November 4, 2009

February 26-28, 2010

Conference Website: http://www1.pacific.edu/eng/swe/index.htm

Conference Flyer (doc)
ConferenceFlyer  (pdf)

The conference will focus on both professional development and educational outreach, to stimulate practicing engineers and cultivate the next generation of engineers. We hope to present workshops concentrating on how to strengthen social networks, improve relationships in our increasingly international field, and understand the underlying business and management strategies that drive engineering decisions.

We would also like to highlight the initiatives that the University of the Pacific School of Engineering and Computer Science is taking to step into the forefront of technology (John T. Chambers Technology Center, Master’s Program). We are also excited to involve San Joaquin Valley professional SWE section in the planning and execution of this conference. In addition, we hope to host large corporations at our career fair, as well as many smaller companies that we have access to via our Cooperative Education Office and Career Resource Center.

Conference Location

University of the Pacific Campus in Stockton, CA – Located approximately 45 miles south of Sacramento and approximately 80 miles west of San Francisco. The nearest airport is Sacramento International Airport (SMF).

Facilities and Parking

Pacific has several large dining facilities as well as a wide variety of conference facilities across campus, equipped with integrated computers and projection systems for workshop presentations.

The Pacific campus is relatively small, and all locations are only a few minutes walking distance from each other. Several large parking lots will be available to guests throughout the campus. Golf cart shuttles can be used for attendees with disabilities that may need assistance.

Conference Schedule

The conference will take place February 26th – 28th, 2010. These dates were chosen in an attempt to avoid spring break, finals, and holidays observed by various Region A colleges. The following is a tentative schedule which is subject to change.

Friday

6:00pm – 9:00pm Mixer for early arrivals
8:00pm – 10:00pm Movie screening at Pacific Theater (Film TBD)

Saturday

8:00am – 9:45am Registration and Breakfast – Opening Ceremonies – Welcome
10:00am – 2:00pm Campus Tours (TBD)
10:00am – 10:45 am Workshop set I
11:00am – 11:45 pm Workshop set II
11:45am – 1:00pm Lunch (with Keynote Speaker)
1:00pm – 4:00pm Career Fair
1:00pm – 1:45pm Workshop set III
2:00pm – 2:45pm Workshop set IV
3:00pm – 4:300pm Conference Closing

Sunday

8:00 – 10:00am Region A Business Meeting

Schedule Details

Speakers

Keynote (Saturday Lunch): Dr. Pamela Eibeck, University of the Pacific President will be invited to give a keynote. Dr. Eibeck joined Pacific in 2009. She has a PhD in Mechanical Engineering.

Saturday Morning Welcome: Nora Lin, SWE President, will be invited to provide opening remarks. Dr. Jain, School of Engineering and Computer Science Dean will be invited to provide a welcome to Pacific.

We would then invite an industry representative to speak at the conference closing.

Workshops

Workshops will focus on how to strengthen social networks, improve relationships in our increasingly international field, and understand the underlying business and management strategies that drive engineering decisions. The workshops will be organized into several flexible tracks, which will address all issues presented in the theme of the conference (a few potential workshop topics are listed under each category):

• Professional Track
  • Professional Networking in the Modern World
  • International Engineering Practices
  • Management Strategies for Engineering Solutions
• Collegiate Track
  • More than Just Facebook: Networking for the Real World
  • How to look for an International Internship
  • Business Savvy for the College Student
• Outreach Track
  • Finding your Future Students: Educational Outreach
  • Recruiting all Ages: Finding your Future Employees
  • Cultural Immersion for a Global Industry

Career Fair

The San Joaquin Valley is centrally located between the Sacramento and the Bay Area. Companies from both of these regions, as well as from across the country and the world, look to engineers from the San Joaquin Valley to fill their voids. We will be utilizing the resources of both the Pacific Cooperative Education Office and the Career Resource Center to bring in companies for the career fair. We would like to host a minimum of 15 booths.

Activities & Tours

Several activities & tours will be available during the conference. Conference attendees can go to a movie on Friday or Saturday night for only $5 in the Pacific Theater. Pacific Student Ambassadors will be able to give guided campus tours on Saturday, highlighting the engineering resources, the new DeRosa University Center and Biological Sciences Building. We plan to work with local restaurants on Stockton’s historic Miracle Mile to get conference attendees discount coupons for meals out during the weekend.

Hotels

Hotels that are within a 10 minute driving distance (current nightly rates listed below):

Stockton Grand Hotel: Minimum $119.00/four guests
- Shuttle or limo service can be arranged for large groups

Sheraton Hotel: Minimum $139.00/four guests (lowered if > 10 rooms booked)
- Metro Stockton Transit picks up in front of hotel, and can drop off outside Pacific
- Shuttle service can be arranged

Comfort Inn: $69.99/four guests

Engineers Week! FEB 14-20, 2010 January 30, 2010

Engineers Week is only a couple months away – Feb. 14-20, 2010. Start planning your involvement today!

Check out the national website:

http://www.eweek.org/Home.aspx

Collegiate Leadership Opportunities January 19, 2010

Ladies,

Interested in furthering your collegiate leadership
opportunities, but don’t know what to do? Interested in taking
the next steps, but want to know more?  Call in on January
24th at 8 pm EST to listen to current leaders discuss their
roles in SWE and answer any questions you may have about their
positions.  The following will be discussed and presented:

- Collegiate Board Representative (Martha Addison)
- Region Collegiate Senator (Amy Jo Bowdidge / Johnnie Waid)
- RCR/RCCE Coordinator Elect (Wendy Jenkins)
- Committees (Alyse Stofer / Martha Addison)

Call-in Info:
712-432-0080
1005113#
January 24, 2010
8pm EST

Call is optional, but highly encouraged and will be open to
current RCRs, RCCEs, and RCSs.

January RCR Update January 11, 2010

Dear Region A Collegiate Section Presidents,

I hope everyone’s finals went well and you are all enjoying your
winter breaks!  With the new year beginning, I think it’s time to get
started again with SWE business.  This email includes a lot of
information and due dates within the next few weeks.

Important Dates!
- Leadership Conference Information: RSVP needed by January 8th!
- Collegiate Section information needed: due January 10th
- Next conference call date and time
- Quarterly report reminder: due January 18th

Section Report No. 2 January 11, 2010

REMINDER – Section Report No. 2 is due to me February 5, 2010. Let me know if you need the template being used this year. The Region A Conference is just around the corner – Section Presidents and Treasurers are being asked to attend two mandatory sessions being delivered by the SWE Board of Directors. The sessions topics are Public Policy and Financial management. All SWE Region A Leaders and Members are being encouraged to attend our annual Region A Conference, hosted this year by University of the Pacific in Stockton California. See the SWE Region A Conference website http://www1.pacific.edu/eng/swe/index.htm for all the details. Attached are the December 2009 SWE Membership data for Region A Sections. Please spend some time looking at this information as it is the major factor used when analyzing the vitality of a section and determining if a section is to have it’s charter deactivated. Let’s all work together to ensure this does not occur in our Region!

Mary Frederick

RG

Mary.Frederick@swe.org

DISNEY’S “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” OPPORTUNITY FOR WE10 January 9, 2010

Disney is doing a special promotion in 2010 where they are offering a FREE theme park admission to people who sign up and volunteer for a day through the Disney website.  Please let your sections know about this opportunity in case any WE10 attendees want to take advantage of it.  Disney is only giving away a million tickets (which are only good in 2010) and volunteer registration begins on January 1, 2010.

Call for Applicants! Deadline 2/8/10 January 7, 2010

Call for Applicants!

Are you interested in taking your SWE leadership to the next level?  Do you want to make a difference in programs for collegiate members or assist in developing the strategic direction of SWE in the Senate; this is your opportunity to apply! You could be your region’s next Region Collegiate Representative (RCR), Region Collegiate Communication Editor (RCCE), or Region Collegiate Senator (RCS).

The RCR is responsible for representing collegiate members’ interests among regional leaders.  The RCCE is responsible for communicating important SWE events and best practices through the region’s blog.  Plus, the RCR(s) and RCCE from each region will have the opportunity to attend next summer’s Collegiate Leadership Forum in San Francisco, CA!

The RCS is responsible for chartering strategic direction and adopting long-range goals for the Society.  The alternate RCS is responsible fulfilling their Senator’s duties if the Senator is unable to perform their tasks.  The RCS from each region may also have the opportunity to attend next summer’s Collegiate Leadership Forum in San Francisco, CA!

The RCE, RCCE, and RCS positions provide invaluable interaction and coaching from SWE leaders.  These leadership opportunities sharpen your career skill-set in the areas of leading and facilitation, group dynamics and communication, and project leadership. Please click on the link below to get started on your RCR, RCCE, or RCS application. Click here to review the RCR/RCCE/RCS Qualifications

Application for RCR/RCCE/RCS

When you apply you will need:

• Member number

• Section/Region

• School and Permanent Address

• Position of interest

• SWE leadership positions

• Other leadership positions

• Why you want to be RCR/RCCE/RCS

• What you bring to the RCR/RCCE/RCS position

• What SWE means to you

• Interest outside of SWE

• Reference to confirm GPA/academic standing

Applications are due by Monday, February 8.

Similar to FY09 and FY10, in FY11 there will be one RCR for every 1,000 collegiate members in each region up to two RCRs.  If collegiate membership reaches 1,000 members by December 31^st 2009, a region will add or maintain a second RCR.  There will be one RCCE and one RCS elected per region.  Regions may or may not elect an alternate RCS.

Click here to review the descriptions for the RCR & RCCE positions and click here to review the decription for RCS position. Click here for the collegiate election process. If you have any questions regarding the positions or the election process, please contact your RCR(s) ( rcr-a@swe.org), RCCE (rcce-a@swe.org), or Jennifer Vallero (jennifer.vallero@colorado.edu.) or Wendy Jenkins (wendy.jenkins@swe.org).

SWE Region A Leadership Development Summit 1/26/10 January 6, 2010

****RSVP needed by JANUARY 8th: To: SWE Region A Leadership

The professional leadership committee is planning to offer the SWE Region A Leadership Development Summit on Friday, February 26, 2010 immediately preceding the Region A Conference. This will give you and your SWE colleagues a unique one-day event to focus on honing leadership skills and building a stronger Region A organization.

We will be limiting this to about 40 participants based on room size restrictions and to provide a quality experience. Please respond to this survey by 6pm Friday, January 8 in order that we might incorporate your inputs into our planning.

 Additional details will be sent in January. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NTC5QY7

December HOT TOPIC: CREATIVE MEETINGS AND REWARDING MEMBERS January 5, 2010

Creative Meetings

We all know the importance of the various aspects of the normal club meeting, but to conduct the identical meeting, week after week, could cause the meeting to boring and predictable.  Here are a few random ideas to spice up your meetings.  Remember, we attend boring lectures all day, why would members want to attend a boring meeting

1.  Have Monthly Themes for each monthly General Body Meeting:

January – Welcome back to school,

February – Month of love, National Engineering month AND Engineers Week.

March – St Patrick’s Day

April – Spring Time!

May – FINALS – stress relievers!

June, July, and August – Many members are still around during the break, plan a pool party!

September – Welcome back to school theme!

October – Have a Halloween style them, conduct your meeting in a witches hat or something!

November – Show thanks to all of your sponsors, have thanksgiving food at your general body meeting together

December – Give your members a good-luck goody bag to help them get through finals.

2. Change up the meeting locations. It’s easy to always meet in one general room to avoid confusions, but try to meet off campus for one meeting, just to mix it up!

3.  Switch it up. Have a BACKWARDS MEETING

.sdrawkcab gniteem elohw eht nalP (Plan the whole meeting backwards.) Start with the closing thought and end with your usual introduction.  You can’t beat this way of breaking up the routine of an ordinary meeting.

4. “Get to know me” ICEBREAKER at every meeting

Assign 1 old and 1 new member each meeting to give a quick talk about themselves. This is a good opportunity for members to know more about their fellow members.

5.  Have a Bring-A-Non-Engineer-Buddy Meeting

Plan for one of your general meetings to allow members to bring a guest who isn’t in engineering.  Consider it a PR kind of thing.

6.  Invite a speaker to your meetings…anyone from a motivational speaker to a professional SWE member who can talk about her job and company.

Rewarding Members:

After putting in all the work to come to meetings, organize and attend events, take some time to recognize your outstanding members.   First of all, its easiest to keep track of what your members are doing by having a point system and reward members for having certain number of points. Reward them for showing up to events, being active and showing up to GB meetings.  Here are a few ways to reward members.

1. Have a “Distinguished Member” banquet table at your college’s annual banquets for a top percentage of members who have outstanding participation!

2. Host a dinner for these members at a local restaurant and hand out awards and small prizes. (Don’t forget to recognize your hard-working officers too!)

3. Show members how much they matter to you by giving them goodie bags, especially during finals. You have no idea how much they will appreciate it!

4. Have a member of the month reward presented at the general meeting and have an officer announce the member’s accomplishments and dedication.

October – “Making a Personal Connection to Members” January 5, 2010

Too often it seems that many of us rely more and more on communicating via electronic methods: e-mail, text, instant messaging and now online social networks. It is very important to create opportunities to get out of the classroom and out from behind the laptop to network by making face-to-face connections with your fellow SWE members.  Also, it’s one of the best ways to retain membership is to have a close and personal connection with your members. This is HUGE!

As with anything else, you will get out of it what you put into it.  For example, if you go to the meeting and just sit there until it ends, you will go home with very little more than what you walked in there with.  However, if you speak to other members and include them into your conversations, introduce them to people, introduce yourself, the SWE group will become so powerful to each member.  The more effort you put into learning about and meeting your fellow SWE members, the more that you will get back in return.

Here is a list of ideas to help “Make a personal Connection to Members”

• Start your meetings with an icebreaker (let’s stay away from embarrassing ones, like singing a song out loud solo…eh…hmmm…I think all the RCCEs recall that from the National Conference!)
• Get “invite-happy” and set up activities outside of meetings such as inviting a fellow SWE member to lunch!
• Plan fun SWE events to promote comeradery instead of business, anything from a Bowling night an Ice Cream social after class!
• Make sure your officers talk to all the members, not just to each other.  Hellooooo…
• Have the upperclassmen pair up with a lower clansmen in the fall. Engineering is overwhelming for most newbies, so freshman welcome any help they can get!
• Get SWE merchandise, such as tshirts, hoodies, bags or sweatpants, etc.

The overall idea: make sure you focus on the personal needs of your members, in addition to the professional ones!

Making connections in-person takes effort, motivation and time, all of which often exceed those put into making connections electronically. And, while electronic communication should not be discounted as an effective and efficient means of making personal connections, spending the time and energy to get to know people face-to-face will benefit you immensely, both personally and professionally.

November HOT TOPIC: National Involvement January 5, 2010

In the hustle and bustle of classes and extra curricular activities, its very easy to find ourselves busy with the day to day happening of only our local SWE collegiate chapters.  On the brink of graduation myself, I have realized that it is also just as important to be “in-the-know” and involved with the National SWE to ease the  transition into the professional world.

Here are several ways to get involved and maintain connection with National SWE.

1.  Run for a collegiate position on the Regional level, click here for more info.

2.  Attend the Regional Conference

3.  Attend the National Conference next year SWE is heading to Orlando for WE10: Launching Innovation. Defining Success. Mark your calendars for November 4-6, 2010 now to ensure you are a part of this milestone conference. The finale of our yearlong SWE60 Anniversary Celebration will add to the already high energy of WE10.

4.   Post your resume on the SWE websit at  http://careers.swe.org/ to make yourself available for companies looking to hire.

5.  Read up on what’s going in the world of engineering through articles in the the SWE magazines

6.  Participating in Webinars