2011 Issue

43 H ERE ARE A few related to mine (Struc- tural Engineering): ACI, ASCE, AISC, AWS, ATC, ASTM, AIA, AGC, AISI, FEMA, ICC, NEHRP, TMS, RCSC, NCSEA, NCEES, NEHRP, EERI, CSI, DBI, UEC, ACEC, CASE, PCA, PCI, PTI, SMPS, SJI, SDI, UEC and of course, let us not forget SEAU, the Structural Engineers Association of Utah. I have even been approached twice in recent months by individuals with the objective of starting new non-profit organizations related to structural engineering. Is it just me or do you feel like there is an endlessly grow- ing plethora of non profit organizations, each with a specific agenda, each with something to offer, and each vying for your attention, your participation and your financial resources? And these are just a sampling of those associated with struc- tural engineering. One of my favorites is SAC, which is an acronym of three other acronyms (SEAOC, ATC, and CUREE) and I wait for the day when SAC joins forces with others to create a three-tiered hierarchy of organizations dedicated to some other common purpose. Perhaps SAC could join up with TMS, OPEC, and PCI…wait…that new acronymdoesn’t sound very progres- sive. Sort of reminds me of Robin Williams in the movie Good Morning Vietnam. What was that line? … oh yeah: Seeing as how the VP is such a VIP, shouldn’t we keep the PC on the QT? Cause if it leaks to the VC he could end up MIA, and then we’d all be put out in KP …please pardon the digression. How many of these organizations should we personally participate in? It would be impossible to cover all the bases, so how do you decide? I received an interesting letter in the mail the other day fromASCE. On the cover of the envelop it said some- thing to the effect of, We noticed you re- newed your Texas Professional Engineers License and that you are still not amember of ASCE and we want to know why. I’ve received letters of recruitment fromASCE before, but this one was different and I was genuinely interested in responding to their query. However, I opened the let- ter only to find the congratulatory notice that my membership in ASCE had been pre-approved and all I needed to do was send them a check for $140. I filed this let- ter accordingly with other such notices for the regularly scheduled curbside pickup. Don’t get me wrong here. ASCE is a fantastic organization that has provided untold benefits for the engineering com- munity and in fact for the entire human race. The world is a better place because of ASCE and its countless members and volunteers dedicated to the improve- ment of human civilizations. So, why do I choose not to join the local chapter of ASCE and the countless other non-profit organizations related to my profession? The answer is simple and you probably already know it. Maybe you share this sen- timent: ASCE does not serve my interests as well as other organizations do. It is not as relevant to me as other organizations. Time and money are increasingly valuable commodities so I must be very selective in the organizations with which I choose to dedicate these resources. This brings me to SEAU. So, why am I a member? Quite simply, it is the non-profit organi- zation that best serves my interests as a structural engineer. It is more relevant to my profession than any other non-profit How Many Acronyms Can You Name? Jerod Johnson how many acronyms can you name reflecting councils, associations and organizations connected to your industry? association. I hold membership in other related organizations and on occasion, I do participate, but currently, SEAU is where most of my dedication lies with respect to career related associations. I respect the other organizations and I cannot begin to enumerate the benefits of the products and materials these or- ganizations provide. But I have recently begun to wonder … are they relevant? I think that most of them likely are and their missions are praiseworthy. They deserve our support as we continue to benefit from the products they provide. I understand many of these organizations are so large as to require a full-time paid executive director with staff. There is noth- ing wrong with this provided their mission and their products are of true relevance and benefit to those they purport to serve. However, do gradual changes in the needs of members force such associations into a mode of self preservation once their relevance begins to fade? Many years ago, I joined the HP48SX users group at the University of Utah College of Engineer- ing. This group had a laudable purpose of helping students learn to use the newest and most technically capable calculator. The group probably received funds (de- rived from student fees) from ASUU (yet another acronym!). However, this group no longer exists simply because its purposes do not coincide with student needs. It is no longer relevant … though I’m sure if Why am I a member of SEAU? Quite simply, it is the non-profit organization that best serves my interests as a structural engineer.