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
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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.