Awards Banquet Friday May 13th - Please RSVP!

Please join us in celebrating SWE Detroit's accomplishments for Fiscal Year 2016!  The evening will include: Overview of SWE Detroit's events this year, High School Scholarship Presentation, SWE Detroit Award Presentation, Officer and Chair recognition, Keynote Speaker Lucy Clark Dougherty and Introduction of our FY17 Officers.  Please note that our originally communicated keynote speaker, Senator Debbie Stabenow, is no longer able to attend.  She was very excited about the event and sends her best wishes to us as we celebrate our accomplishments for the year.

Time: Networking at 5:00PM; Program Begins at 6:00PM
Location: The Henry, 300 Town Center Dr, Dearborn, MI 48126

Keynote Speaker: Lucy Clark Dougherty, Deputy General Counsel Commercial, Product Safety & Regulatory, General Motors (due to unforeseen circumstances, Senator Stabenow is no longer able to attend the banquet)

Price: $60 for members and member's guest; $65 for non-members; $900 for a Corporate Table

Click HERE for individual registration
Click HERE for corporate table registration

Improv(e) Your Communications

Date: Wednesday, May 25, 2015

Time: 6:30pm to 8:00pm

Venue: Go Comedy! Improv Theater

Address: 261 E 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220

Sign up here: http://formsmarts.com/form/1qeu

Limited to 15 participants, with priority to SWE members.

Cost: $15 for SWE Members; $25 for guests

Go Comedy! is southeast Michigan's premier improvisational comedy venue. Did you know that the art of "improv" can teach listening, agreement, cooperation, and conflict resolution?  This highly participatory workshop will explore the inner workings of our professional interactions in a fun and memorable way.

Workshop begins promptly at 6:30pm -- please plan accordingly and allow time for parking and traffic!

Adventure Park Outing

 

 

Come spend a morning among the trees!  Get out of your comfort zone and enjoy the summer air at the West Bloomfield Adventure Park.

When: Saturday, July 16 @ 9:30am

Where: 6600 W Maple Rd, West Bloomfield, MI

Who: SWE members and families* welcome!

Schedule:

9:30 AM -- Light Breakfast

9:45 AM -- Orientation/harnessing

10:00 AM -- Climb!

Here's how to sign up:

(1) Register and pay via the following link: http://formsmarts.com/form/1qfj

SWE Member Price: $30

Guest/Family Member Price: $40

Please register no later than July 8!

(2) Each participant must complete the following electronic waiver:

https://go.theflybook.com/Manage/F3CC36#/terminal/manage/F3CC36/tickets

Note: closed-toe shoes required, no loose hair/clothing

*Kids ages 5+ are welcome.  It may be more economical to pay general admission at the door for kids 11 and under, though.  Please see the park rules for supervision requirements and age restrictions on individual courses within the park.

Also, non-climbing observers are welcome at no charge, but please RSVP to ashley.prescott@gmail.com, for breakfast-planning purposes.

Questions about the event?  E-mail ashley.prescott@gmail.com

Questions about the adventure course?  See the FAQ or call (248) 419-1550.

FREE Admission to Michigan Science Center to celebrate SWE!!

SWE has sponsored several very successful FIRST Robotics teams in the Detroit metroplex this year.  They have worked very hard to create complex  robots, and now it is time to celebrate their success!

Please join us at the Michigan Science Center in Detroit on Saturday May 7^th from 10am-6pm.  Admission is FREE to SWE members because we sponsored the robotics teams.  There will be a robotics presentation on the main stage before noon and a Taco Veloz Taco truck serving lunch! Attached is a flyer with all the good details!

If you plan on attending, please contact Anne Dancy (eadancy@mtu.edu) so she can RSVP for the group.

Final reminder: COMPES conference registration ends on April 19th

Final Registration Deadline - Tuesday, April 19^th!

“Amp Up Your Career” - COMPES Professional Development Conference

Please register as soon as possible at: www.COMPESPDC.org.

Where: DTE Energy

1 Energy Plaza, Detroit, MI 48226

When: Saturday April 23, 2016

            7:30am - 4pm

SWE-Detroit Membership Circle for Novi/Northville/Farmington Hills - May 2016

SWE-Detroit Membership Circle for Novi/Northville/Farmington Hills - May 2016 

Where:  You decide - Island Lake / Kensington Metropark * 

When: You decide - Saturday/Sunday May 14/15 or 21/22 (respond to doodle poll**) 

What: Enjoy fresh air with fellow SWE peeps; walk, bike, throw a frisbee, bring the littles (kids/dogs), pack a picnic lunch if you like 

*Island Lake entrance fee is Recreation Passport (on your car license plate sticker); Kensington Metropark fee $35 annual (or $10 daily entrance fee). I'm happy to meet outside the park if someone does not have a recreation passport or metropark sticker and bring you in [I may have a small dog with me].

 

**Poll closes May 5

Poll: http://doodle.com/poll/2rikfcktx4q5src5

Questions/RSVP: Katie Amelio (ktamelio@hotmail.com)

COMPES - Registration Extended Until Tuesday, April 19th!

Registration Extended Until Tuesday, April 19^th!

“Amp Up Your Career” - COMPES Professional Development Conference

Please register as soon as possible at: www.COMPESPDC.org.

Where: DTE Energy

1 Energy Plaza, Detroit, MI 48226

When: Saturday April 23, 2016

            7:30am - 4pm

Last Chance – Registration Closes Friday April 8th! for COMPES PDC's "Amp Up Your Career"

If you haven't already... it's time to register for the 2016 COMPES Professional Development Conference!  "AMP UP YOUR CAREER" with this one-day conference featuring exciting speakers and breakout sessions.  SWE members receive discounted registration!

·  Learn from experts on current technical topics from cybersecurity to the smart grid, alternative energy to automated vehicles. 

·  Unlock the secrets of the HR Department, and access resources to aid in your career planning and advancement.

·  Craft your elevator speech, hone soft skills like communication and persuasion, and learn to protect your intellectual property as an engineer.

·  Network over breakfast and lunch (included) with other professionals from SWE, NSBE, SHPE, and our sponsor companies.

Where: DTE Energy, 1 Energy Plaza, Detroit, MI 48226

When: Saturday, April 23, 2016, 7:30am - 4pm

Visit www.COMPESPDC.org to register.

Event is capped at 200 participants. Please register as soon as possible at:www.COMPESPDC.org.

**Registration closes April 8**

Pictures available from GEE 2016

Did you volunteer for GEE?  Want to re-live every fun-filled moment?  Well now you can! 

Please see link below to find images from the event.  Thank YOU for making the event a success!

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2AmmAUjA2BWaUsxRE1rVlk4bkk

A Better Chance - Educational Opportunities

Hi SWEsters!

We wanted to share some information about a local program that strives to provide access to programming and educational guidance for academically talented students in the local area.  A summary of this program, called A Better Chance, is found below and in the attachments.  They have a very short recruitment cycle and applications are due on May 1st.  If you have any questions about the programming, please contact Anita Roberson at aroberson@abetterchance.org.

A Better Chance is a national non-profit organization that provides pathways for academically talented students of color to access the most competitive independent day, boarding and public schools in the nation.  In addition to providing regional programming and guidance to help families navigate through the independent school admissions process, A Better Chance provides access to over 320 member schools – schools that are consistently ranked as the best high schools in the country.  A Better Chance scholars leverage over $20 million dollars annually in scholarships from our member school base, making it one of the most effective organizations of its kind.

A Better Chance is free.  However students must apply in order to access their services and support.  A Better Chance has an 18 month placement cycle.  Therefore families that are interested in 9^th grade placement must apply in 7^th grade.  The A Better Chance application is available online now:  START ONLINE APPLICATION HERE.   A resource guide for completing the application is also attached.  Listed below are our key eligibility criteria:

Here is a quick, 4 minute Prezi video about what we do:  5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT A BETTER CHANCE

Key Eligibility Criteria

·         Must be a student who is currently in 4^th through 9^th grade (remember there is an 18 month placement cycle, therefore 7^th grade students must applynow for high school placement)

·         Must be a student who can demonstrate strong academic aptitude (A, A-B students;  some B+ students may be considered)

·         Must self-identify as a student of color

There are no income restrictions or limitations. The application deadline is May 1^st.

Additional Information

There are several ways that interested families can learn more about the A Better Chance program.  We suggest that you act quickly as the application deadline is May 1^st.

  Short Overview

Here is a short 4-minute video which covers the essentials of what you need to know to access this opportunity:  5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT A BETTER CHANCE

  Upcoming Information Sessions - Detroit

Event:  MIDWEST Virtual Information Session

Date:  Sat, Mar 26^th 

Time:  10:00 am – 11:30 am

Location:  This is a virtual information session hosted via the internet.  In order to fully participate (which includes viewing the presentation and being able to ask questions), you will need access to a computer with an internet connection.  Participants may also call and listen in via phone.

Registration Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/5367013495838278924    

Event:  Detroit April Information Session

Date:  Wed, Apr 6^th

Time: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Location: Wayne State University (additional location details are provided when you click on the registration link)

Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-better-chance-information-session-detroit-tickets-21795690497?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing

Event:  MIDWEST Virtual Information Session

Date:  Sat, Apr 9^th 

Time:  10:00 am – 11:30 am

Location:  This is a virtual information session hosted via the internet.  In order to fully participate (which includes viewing the presentation and being able to ask questions), you will need access to a computer with an internet connection.  Participants may also call and listen in via phone.

Registration Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/5367013495838278924

We have also attached our e-brochure for your convenience.

  Regional Contact

Please feel free to contact your regional manager if you have any additional questions:

Anita Roberson | Midwest Program Manager 3 Severance Circle #18868 | Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
T: (216) 772-7595 | F: (800) 254-7581
aroberson@abetterchance.org  | abetterchance.org

Thank you for your interest in A Better Chance!

Royal Oak Book Club

Event: Royal Oak Book Club

Date: April 17, 2016

Time: 4:00 - 6:00 PM

Location: Vinotecca, 417 South Main Street, Royal Oak, MI 48067

Cost: Everyone pays for themselves

Parking: Free on Sunday

Point of contact: Michele Marion michele.marion@swe.org

Other info:

Discussing The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan

Review of The Big Fat Surprise by Nina Teicholz

Review by Tina Poquette

For the month of January, the month of new resolutions, we read The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat and Cheese Belong in a Healthy Diet by Nina Teicholz.  Now before you roll your eyes thinking this is another fad diet, please note that this is more of a research on research book.  I was infuriated as I read about the lack of rigor in the studies that have shaped how we view food since the 1950’s.  She analyzes the scientific method, or lack thereof, in the small uncontrolled studies that are largely responsible for the long held beliefs that a low-fat diet is a heart healthy diet.  When in fact, so many “low fat” versions of foods are filled with carbs and sugar.   This has only increased the amount of fat we carry around and cases of heart disease and diabetes continue to rise.  There is a chapter on women and children and how a low fat diet impacts us that is completely maddening!  The book concludes that people on a low carb, high fat diet have the most success lowering their chances of heart disease, eliminating diabetes, and ultimately losing weight.  This book has changed how I eat and my level of guilt over what I eat.  As I pay more attention to new studies coming out, I see that this message of a low carb, high fat diet is starting to gain traction and research dollars.  It’s an interesting read that might help us lighten up on ourselves, eat delicious foods, and actually improve our health.