Upcoming Event - 2014 Region H Conference - REGISTRATION EXTENDED UNTIL JAN. 8!

Event: 2014 Region H Conference
Date: February 14-16, 2014
Location: Michigan Tech University, Houghton, MI 
Other info can be found at this link
___________________________

As a holiday present to everyone, we are extending the registration deadline until January 8th! Some sessions have been filled, but there are still plenty of excellent choices. We still have plenty of spots open to enjoy the Michigan Tech hockey game on Friday night but skiing and snowboarding has been filled.

Registration for the buses and CEU session will stay open until they are filled. Currently one bus is filled and that is the bus starting in Detroit, MI.

The Region H conference committee is honored to present "Extracting the Elements" at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI from February 14-16, 2014. 

Click the here to go to the Registration page for information on registering and how to register.

Registration 

There are many different options to accommodate your registration needs. Collegiate members may choose from a standard day registration or hotel registration which includes a two night stay in either the Travelodge, Holiday Inn Express, or Country Inn and Suites by Carlson. 

Professional members may choose from a standard day registration or single or double occupancy hotel registration. Professional members will be staying at the Magnuson- Franklin Square Inn. 

All registrations will include networking events, Saturday programming, meals, and the opportunity to participate in events that are more unique to Houghton and Copper Country, own town events that include a ladies night, bonfires, and a luge. 

If you have questions regarding the conference agenda, sessions, facilities, corporate sponsorship, or registration please visit our website for more information or contact us.

Sponsorship 

If your company is interested in sponsorship, please see our sponsorship page.

Happy holidays from the Michigan Tech Conference Planning Committee and we hope to see you in February!!

Need Volunteers - COMPES Professional Development Conference

COMPES-PDC 2014 is in full planning!  You may have already seen the save the date postcard in the mail and on Facebook.  We still have a few openings for volunteers and speakers.  Please see the list of openings below:

Volunteers Needed:

Advertising Lead

1) Preparation of conference communication e-mail to volunteers and others.

2) Managing the list of advertising methods and companies, both electronically and hard copy.

Time: 10 hours a month Jan. - Mar.

Opportunity to work with companies and volunteers.

Kelly Services Coordinator

1) Work with the automotive liason from Kelly Services.

2) Kelly services is enthusiastic about working at PDC for 2nd year.

3) Kelly Services will provide speaker for breakout session and provide confidential career discussions.

4) Coordinate with registration and create time table and room availablity for day of event.

Time: 15-20 hours.

Travel Coordinator

1) Coordinate with motivational, capstone, and other potential travelling speakers.

2) Each speaker has different portions convered by COMPES, verify with chair on budget prior to coordination.  Could include travel such as air/car, hotel, and rental car.

Time: 5-10 hours total.

In-Kind Donation Coordinator

1) Coordinate in-kind donation activity.

2) Coordinate with Whole Foods and companies giving giveaways..

3) Organize stuffing party, a week before event, put all the giveaways in bags for conference participants.

Time: 10 hours.

Speakers:

Panels

Personal and Professional Satisfaction Panel (5 people)

Leadership Panel (5 people)

Satisfaction of Community Volunteering Panel (5 people)

Are you involved in community volunteer work (Soup Kitchen, Church, Professional Organizations, Employee Resource Groups, etc.)?  This is the perfect panel for you!

Breakout Sessions

Looking for dynamic speakers that can captivate an audience of professionals with a focus on our theme: "Focus your Energy: Power your Personal and Professional Life".

Any questions, please contact: info@compespdc.org

Save the Date - COMPES Professional Development Conference

Event: COMPES Professional Development Conference
Date: May 17, 2014
Time: 7:30 AM Registration, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Conference
Location: Consumers Energy, 4600 Coolidge Highway, Royal Oak, MI 48073
Point of contact: info@compespdc.org

Other info:

New Continuing Education Rules for Professional Engineers in Michigan

Michigan's Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) has instituted new continuing education rules for Professional Engineers (PEs) licensed in Michigan.  Due to budget constraints, the State will not be mailing any notification of the new rules, so please help us get the word out to any Michigan-licensed PEs you may know (especially those located out-of-state).

PEs who renewed in 2013 will be required to certify that they have obtained 30 Continuing Education Hours (CEHs) when they renew in 2015.

PEs who renew in 2014 will be required to certify that they have obtained 30 Continuing Education Hours (CEHs) between 2014 and 2016.

Engineers do not need to submit documentation of continuing education activities to LARA unless audited, but should retain information concerning course content, dates held, instructors' names and qualifications, sponsoring organizations, and the number of hours earned. When available, completion certificates or other documents from the course or activity should be retained as verification of attendance.  Online coursework is allowed as long as the attendee has access to the instructor.  Course providers do not need to seek pre-approval from LARA.

Continuing eduation activities should be technical in nature, with "a clear purpose and objective that will maintain, improve, or expand the skills and knowledge relevant to the licensee's area of professional practice." Cultural, entertainment & recreational activities sponsored by engineering societies are not included.

The new rules are posted on the LARA website.  Also, the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers (MSPE) has compiled an FAQ based on their conversations with the agency.

Need Volunteers - SWE Wayne State University Speed Mentoring Event

Event: SWE Wayne State University Speed Mentoring Event
Date: January 23, 2014
Time: 4:00 - 7:40 PM
Location: College of Engineering, Wayne State University, 5050 Anthony Wayne Drive, Detroit, MI 48202
Cost: N/A
Point of contact: swespeedmentoring@gmail.com 
RSVP by December 20

Other info:

Save the Date - 2nd Annual Bowling Fundraiser for SWE-D High School Scholarship Fund

Event: 2nd Annual Bowling Fundraiser for SWE-D High School Scholarship Fund
Date: March 1, 2014
Time: 4:30 PM Check-in, 5:00 - 8:30 PM
Location: Troy Lanes, 1950 E. Square Lake Road, Troy, MI 48085
Parking: Parking lot
Cost: $20 per person ($14 for children under 10), which includes three games of bowling, shoes, and pizza
Point of contact: Cathi Kohn cathikohn@gmail.com

Other info:

Join SWE-D for our second annual bowling fundraiser.  The proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit the SWE Detroit High School Scholarship Fund.  There will be a minimum of four bowlers per lane.  All efforts will be made to accomodate teams.

Detroit Free Press - GM CEO Dan Akerson Retiring; Mary Barra to Become First Female CEO of Major Automaker

Today it was announced that Mary Barra will become CEO of General Motors, the first time a woman has been CEO of an auto company.  As a former engineer and GMI alumnae, this news spread like wildfire throughout the SWE-Detroit social media outlets.

CNN - Inspiration for Top Gun Character Gets Top-level Pentagon Post

It has been a big week for women breaking glass ceilings.  This former mathematician is now (acting) in the second-highest position in the U.S. Department of Defense, the highest rank a woman has ever reached in the military.

Upcoming Event - Royal Oak Book Club (Location change!)

Event: Royal Oak Book Club
Date: December 15, 2013
Time: 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Location: Beth Nunning's house
Cost: N/A
Parking: N/A
Point of contact: Jessica Makae jessica@themakaes.com

Other info:
Discussing Susan Cain's "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking".

SWE-D High School Scholarship Program - Accepting Applications!

If you know of a female high school senior in the state of Michigan who is going to major in engineering, please encourage her to apply for a scholarship from SWE-Detroit!

More info can be found at this link, under the "High School Programs" section.

Need Volunteers - SWE-D Girls' Engineering Exploration 2014

Event: SWE-D GEE Planning Committee Kick-Off Meeting
Date: November 20, 2013
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Location: Rosie O'Grady's, 279 W. Nine Mile, Ferndale, MI 48220 (in the side room where there are usually pool tables)
Cost: Everyone pays for themselves
Point of contact: Vivette El Fawal ( v.elfawal@gmail.com )
RSVP by November 20

Other info:

Due to the location, there will not be teleconference capability available.

Please join us to learn about GEE and available positions for the year.  We've already filled over half of our positions, but still need more people to help.  If you know what position you would like to do, please email me and I will reserve it for you. 

You can see more info from this previous blog post.

Upcoming Affiliate Event - NSBE-DAE November General Body Meeting

Event: NSBE-DAE November General Body Meeting
Date: November 21, 2013
Time: 5:30 - 8:00 PM
Location: ESD Office, 20700 Civic Center Drive, Suite 450, Southfield, MI 48076
Parking: Parking lot
Point of contact: Donna Bell nsbedaechair@gmail.com 

Other info:
http://www.nsbe-dae.org

Upcoming Event - National Association of Women in Construction "Leadership Strategies for Women within Design-Build"

Event: NAWIC Detroit "Leadership Strategies for Women within Design-Build"
Date: November 15, 2013
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location:  Lawrence Tech University, 21000 W. 10 Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48075
Parking: Free

Upcoming Event - 2014 Region H Conference - REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Event: 2014 Region H Conference
Date: February 14-16, 2014
Location: Michigan Tech University, Houghton, MI 
Other info can be found at this link

Upcoming Event and Need Volunteers - SWE-D and NSBE-DAE Joint Holiday Potluck

Event: SWE-D and NSBE-DAE Joint Holiday Potluck
Date: December 6, 2013
Time: 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Location: Royal Oak Community Center, 3500 Marais Avenue, Royal Oak, MI 48073
Point of contact: Megan Cloughesy megan.cloughesy@gmail.com

Other info:
You're invited to the SWE-D and NSBE-DAE Joint Holiday Potluck!  This is a family-friendly event to share in the holiday fun!  Please see the attached flyer for details and RSVP at this link by December 1st!

We are also looking for event day volunteers in the following areas: Set-up starting at 5:00, children's activities, photography, and clean up.  If you can help out for even part of the time, please contact Megan.

Need Volunteers - ESD Future City Competition Mentors

The ESD Future City Competition is looking for mentors for the schools listed below, and you can find more information about this program at this link:

• Commonwealth Community Development Academy-  13477 Eureka, Detroit 48111
• Crescent Academy International-40440 Palmer, Canton 48188
• Grand Blanc West Middle School-1515 Reid Road, Grand Blanc 48439
• Hazel Park Jr. High-22770 Highland Ave, Hazel Park 48030
• Marvin L. Winans Academy of the Performing Arts-7616 E. Nevada, Detroit 48234
• Emerson Elementary School-18240 Huntington Road, Detroit 48219
• Erma Henderson Academy-16101 W. Chicago, Detroit 48227
• Gompers Elementary/Middle School-14450 Burt Road, Detroit 48223 
• Spain Elementary/Middle School-3700 Beaubien, Detroit 48201 
• William J. Beckham Academy-9860 Park Drive, Detroit 48213 

Upcoming Event - SWE-D PD "Engineering for Good" Event and Networking Lunch

Event: SWE-D PD "Engineering for Good" Event and Networking Lunch
Date: November 23, 2013
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Maker Works, 3765 Plaza Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108; lunch following @ Zingerman's Roadhouse, 2501 Jackson Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Cost: Presentation is free; everyone pays for lunch on their own
Point of contact: Rosa Bushkuhl ( rosa.bushkuhl@gmail.com )
RSVP by November 21

Other info: 

Join SWE and the Appropriate Technology Collaborative (ATC) for the November PD Event on Saturday, November 23rd 10am-1pm in Ann Arbor to learn about Engineering for Good, followed by lunch at Zingerman's Roadhouse! 

John Barrie, Executive Director of ATC, will talk about the projects his organization has implemented using engineering to improve the lives of people in developing countries. One project that he will highlight is teaching solar to women in Guatemala and starting a women's solar power cooperative in 2014 (http://apptechdesign.org/mayan-power-and-light-2/) ATC has also partnered with student groups at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University to design solar vaccine refrigerators, treadle pumps, and more.

Learn more about ATC: http://apptechdesign.org/

Need Volunteers - SWE-D Girls' Engineering Exploration 2014

If you've ever been interested in getting girls excited about engineering, then this is the perfect event for you.  The focus of Girls' Engineering Exploration (GEE) is to provide girls from Detroit public schools (Grades 4-6) the opportunity to experience a day filled with activities that relate to the fields of math, science, engineering and technology. Most importantly, the goal is for the girls to have fun while they learn and consider these subjects as potential future careers. Please consider donating your time to this extraordinary event.

The planning committee's first meeting will be Wednesday November 20th at 6:30pm in Ferndale.  Come learn about GEE and the different positions open! 

Please sign up by November 15th at 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DXL3qR70cl3yrNe1gr-9tBkXcllrb-3U23oWHuAMI7U/viewform 

Need Volunteers - Univ of Michigan Research Study on Female Engineers

In an effort to understand gender-based discrimination experienced by women engineers and its impact on their health, we are conducting a research study with women engineers at the Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.

Your input can help us understand the experiences of women engineers. This will help us develop intervention protocol to build resilience among women engineers so they can thrive under challenging circumstances. More details of the study are provided in the informed consent sheet attached with this email. (Note: please email the professor for the consent form...unable to post the document on the blog)

We invite you to participate in our study. The link to the online survey is provided at the end of this email. The online survey takes about 30 minutes in total to complete. You can also save and exit the survey at any point of time and get back to it later in order to complete. To get back to the survey after a break please go to the link stored in the browsing history on your computer and click on the link to the survey. You would be able to continue from where you stopped.

We would appreciate your response within one week of receiving this invitation.

We value your participation and your input is very important to us. The information provided by you will be kept strictly confidential and will be used strictly for research purposes.

Participants in this research can choose to be entered in a raffle where one in every 10 participants would get a chance of winning a gift card worth $20. We appreciate that this is a very small compensation for your value time and inputs. This is just a small token of appreciation for your interest in participating in this research.

Please feel free to call me or email me in case you have any questions or concerns about our study.

If you are a woman engineer working in the USA you are welcome to take this survey.

Your Anonymous Survey Link (updated link): http://umichpsych.qualtrics.com/SE/SID=SV_8HX2m78YYZrcSUd

Sincerely,

Dr.Annalakshmi (Anna) Narayanan, Ph.D., JDS (ISI, Kolkata),
Visiting Scholar, Department of Psychology,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
Phone: (734) 730 - 0753
Email: annaraya@umich.edu

Need Volunteers - COMPES-PDC Professional Development Conference Volunteer Kick-Off Meeting

Event: COMPES-PDC Professional Development Conference Volunteer Kick-Off Meeting
Date: November 7, 2013
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Location: Consumers Energy, 4600 Coolidge Highway, Royal Oak, MI 48073
RSVP: November 3, 2013
Point of contact: info@compespdc.org

Save the Date / Need Volunteers - SWE-D Holiday Party

Event: SWE-D Annual Holiday Party
Date: December 6, 2013
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Royal Oak Community Center, 3500 Marais Avenue, Royal Oak, MI 48073
Point of contact: Megan Cloughesy megan.cloughesy@gmail.com

Other info:

The party is a potluck, with an opportunity to share your holiday memories and traditions.  Want to get involved?  The planning committee is looking for two individuals to join us - a photography lead for our photo booth and a lead for the children's activities.  They will be responsible for calling into planning telecoms and coordinating other volunteers and supplies for their area.  We are excited to hear your ideas!

SWE Detroit - Royal Oak Book Club Book Reviews (Sep 2012 - Mar 2013)

Sept 2012 – Bringing Up the Bodies, by Hilary Mantel

Review by Jessica Makäe

This book is a well written, methodical, tale from the perspective of Oliver Cromwell-a pivotal, though non-glamorous figure, in the Henry VIII / Anne Boleyn debacle. The book takes one on the journey through all of Cromwell's machinations to remove Anne, and how his prior experiences played into his actions. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of his time in Italy and his upbringing.  It made him a very thorough and understandable character, if not likeable. 

This is a recent work of historical fiction.  And while it's going to sound illiterate: I just didn't love that this book, while well-written, was a 14 hour audio book that covered what the Showtime series the Tudors covers in the final 2-3 episodes of Season 2 (Max duration: 2 hours).  The book had a lot of extra descriptions that color the time and place, but I don't think that taking Cromwell's perspective on things made the book more interesting than if the author had taken Henry or Anne's perspective.  

Oct 2012 – How to Be a Woman, by Caitlan Moran

Review by Heather

This fearless author tackles numerous topics that are considered taboo in polite conversation, from body hair removal to underwear choice to women’s role in society.  She openly discusses her own life, and it creates a springboard for the readers of this book to feel more comfortable discussing their own lives in ways that they might not previously.  The intended audience is clearly women, but you definitely need to have an open mind regarding the topics she discusses.  Her British dry wit is very entertaining, and brings levity to the book.

Nov 2012 – A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L’Engle

Review by Michele

I found a love of this book and the whole series, having read this many times growing up.  Reading it again as an adult brought up many wonderful memories of the adventures of Meg, Calvin and Charles Wallace.  The story is told by Meg Murry, who is the awkward teenage daughter of two brilliant scientists.  Meg has three brothers, 10 year old popular and athletic twins, Sandy and Dennys, and 5 year old misunderstood genius Charles Wallace.  Mr. Murry went to work on a government project and has not been heard from in quite some time, leaving Mrs. Murry alone with the children.

I enjoyed rereading this book but found it to be a different experience this time through.  I no longer relate with Meg’s awkwardness the way I did when I was younger.  I still enjoyed the fantasy of the story and appreciated it for what it is, a children’s book.  I look forward to sharing this adventure with my future children.

Dec 2012 – The Five Levels of Leadership, by John C. Maxwell

Review by Heather

So, I have a low pain threshold for leadership/professional development books. I've read several, and only a few would I consider worthwhile to actually recommend to others. I would classify this as one of the better ones that I've read, and I think it is relevant to the corporate environment.

The biggest drawback to me was the length of this book. If it had been a 10-20 page article in a magazine, I would have loved it, but I felt like the author provided way more anecdotes than was necessary, and it diluted the effectiveness of the main points.

Jan 2013 – The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot

Review by Faith

This was a biographical account of Henrietta Lacks, a poor African American tobacco farmer. In 1951 her cells were taken without her (or her family’s) knowledge, during her treatment for cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital.  The cells became one of the most important tools in medicine, vital for developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, in vitro fertilization, and much more, because of their ability to quickly replicate and continue to survive. Henrietta’s cells have been bought and sold by the billions, yet she remains virtually unknown, and her family can’t even afford health insurance.

The author does an excellent job of writing Henrietta’s story.  She does an incredible amount of research, including getting to know Henrietta’s family.  The research took nearly a decade, so she became pretty integrated into the Lacks family, especially with Henrietta’s daughter Deborah. 

Twenty years after Henrietta’s death, her family began getting calls from scientists who wanted to get blood samples from them to learn more about their family genetics.  Henrietta’s family had no idea her cells had ever been taken.  The author investigates the history of the cells, as well as her family’s desire to get recognition for the societal contribution.

I loved the author’s style of writing this book.  She did a great job incorporating the medical jargon in a friendly way, and wove in the family stories effortlessly. 

Feb 2013 – The Hoarder in You: How to Live a Happier, Healthier, Uncluttered Life, by Robin Zasio

Review by Heather

Do you have too much clutter in your life?  Have you ever thought of why you hold on to things that you don’t use or appreciate?  How much time do you have to spend doing the “care and feeding” of your stuff?  Do you live with a hoarder (from a mere clutterer who has “clutter blindness” to a full-fledged version)?  Do you routinely purchase items you don’t need, and rationalize your purchases because it was on sale or that you might need it for some undefined purpose in the future?  Do you think buying something like a condiment in bulk is useful, if it takes you twenty years to consume it, long past it’s optimal performance?  Then you need to read this book.

I have read the book twice now, and it really opened my eyes with how I had let my “stuff” take over my life, due to some of the reasons above.  I have greatly downsized the amount of clutter I possess, and it literally feels like an enormous weight has been lifted from my life.  I am also finding myself exercising more discipline when I’m shopping, questioning the motive of why I’m considering a purchase, whether it’s a piece of clothing I don’t currently need or food that we won’t consume because our refrigerator is already full of food.  You don’t need to throw away all your possessions, but learning to reclaim your life from over-consumerism will indeed make you happier, as promised by the book’s title.

Mar 2013 – The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien

Review by Jessica Makäe

This is the story of Bilbo Baggins, a very boring "everyman" hobbit (a comfortable, middle class sort of short pot-bellied humanoid with notably hairy toes) who gets tangled up with an unreliable wizard and a gregarious group of dwarves on a quest to rescue their treasure and homeland from an evil dragon.  All of these things are very counter to hobbit-culture, and he often wishes for the warmth of his own bed, and rues the lack of second breakfasts.  

Over the course of the trek, the group has several adventures and misadventures.  Some of these include wolves, elves, shape shifters, trolls, spiders, orcs, eagles, and Bilbo's fateful encounter with the One Ring - the big lead-up to Tolkein's later books, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.  I especially enjoyed how Gandalf wove in and out of this book, sometimes showing up to save the day, sometimes parked outside in the 'enemy' camp.  The Hobbit story gives a hint of the complexity of the Gandalf wizard character, while showing remarkable character development in Bilbo Baggins. 

This book is simpler than the Lord of the Rings books.  It's a great introduction to fantasy worlds without having to remember too many unusual creature or place names.  It's a classic, and was arguably the foundation of the fantasy fiction genre.  The Hobbit does seem to have a basis in much older writings, though.  As with some of the Old English / Norse sagas (Orkneyinga saga, Beowulf) the characters often stop to compose a verse of song or poetry.  These may feel like interruptions to the narrative, but I see them as echoes of a much older style of writing.  

I enjoyed this book as an adventure tale, and the realism of returning the characters to their homes / place of origin was a pleasant surprise.  

Upcoming Event - SWE MSU Alumni Reception @ WE13 Conference

Event: SWE MSU Alumni Reception @ WE13 Conference
Date: October 24, 2013
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Location: Hilton Baltimore, Suite 1907, 401 W. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
RSVP: October 21, 2013
Point of contact: Mary C. Mertz-Smith mertzsmi@egr.msu.edu

Upcoming Event - SWE UM Alumni Breakfast @ WE13 Conference

Event: SWE UM Alumni Breakfast @ WE13 Conference
Date: October 26, 2013
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 AM
Location:  Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards, 110 S. Eutaw Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 
***Please check reader board or ask Marriott personnel for specific room location***
RSVP: October 20, 2013 at the link below
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1lVSwM-4_-Yca2C6LZ3o-gs9bNnRQcm39U3nUzRveFrQ/viewform 

Other info:
Going to WE13? Are you an Alum of The University of Michigan? 

SWE UofM AA section will be hosting an Alumni Breakfast. If you’re in the area, we’d love to have you join us as our guest for breakfast.

You’re welcome to come for any or all of the two hours – whatever fits into your schedule.

If you are attending the conference and your schedule allows, you may also want to consider attending one of the two sessions in which U of M SWE is involved:

Team Tech Competition Friday, October 25, 2013 8:00AM – 9:10AM
SWE Overseas Lightning Talk Friday, October 25, 2013 1:30PM – 3:10PM

Hope to see you in Baltimore!

Go Blue!

Jamie Sanderson
Society of Women Engineers, University of MI - Vice President
Industrial and Operations Engineering 2015
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor