You’ve probably heard us talk (or you may have read, as the case may be) about how to submit a letter to the editor or op-ed to your local newspaper. With the amount of media attention infrastructure has been receiving lately, there is an incredible opportunity for you, as a professional civil engineer, to contribute your thoughts and opinions to the discussion!

Now we’ve made it even easier for you to get your voice, thoughts and opinions out there. ASCE has developed a template letter to the editor and a template op-ed that you can customize and send to your local paper.

Not sure whether you should be writing a letter to the editor or op-ed? Both are similar, but there are some important differences. For starters, a letter to the editor is shorter than an op-ed. Also, a letter to the editor is typically written in response to a particular story or issue that appeared in the paper, while an op-ed shares a more in-depth opinion about a newsworthy topic. Click on the following links for a more detailed discussion of letters to the editor and op-eds.

Have questions? Need help figuring out where to start? Send me an email and I’d be happy to help!

Karen Albers
Manager, State Public Relations

We’ve all heard the saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” but did you know that a well-crafted soundbite delivered at just the right moment can be more effective in getting your point across than an award-winning report or white paper?

Now I know what you’re going to say. “That’s not fair. How can I possibly explain everything people need to know about my subject in only a handful of words?”

Whether it’s fair or not, the fact of the matter is that time is a precious commodity when it comes to news coverage. Television news stories rarely last longer than 60 seconds and the average newspaper article doesn’t have room for more than two or three quotes. Add to that the fact that newsrooms are cutting back on staff, which means reporters have more stories to cover in less time. With such limited space and time, which quote do you think the reporter is more likely to use: the one they have to spend 20 minutes cobbling together from the bits and pieces you’ve given them, or the one that can be dropped instantly into their story because you highlighted your main message for them in one easy, prepackaged bite?

Now, it just so happens that I have a home-grown example for you of how successful a good soundbite can be. Earlier this week, the North Carolina Section released an updated version of their state Report Card, and in two separate interviews, Region Four Governor David Peterson managed to deliver a great soundbite. In the first interview, referring to funding from the economic stimulus plan, he said: “This is a down payment on the problem; however, it is not a solution to the problem.” In the second, explaining the goal of the report, he said: “We wanted to wake them up to the real issue, that a crumbling infrastructure does not support a healthy economy.” By delivering his message in a quick soundbite, David ensured that his quote would be included in the story. Gold star!

The moral of this story: Sometimes you can make a bigger impression with 10 words than you can with 1,000. Sometimes, less truly is more.

Joan Buhrman
Senior Manager, External Relations

Back in November, ASCE held its annual conference in Pittsburgh, which included several media-friendly events. Communications staff pitched the conference to Pittsburgh newspapers, television and radio affiliates, as well as national trade publications in hopes that they would cover the event.

If you’ve ever invited media to one of your Section/Branch conferences or events, you might have wondered - if a reporter attends to report on the event for their media outlet, is that reporter expected to pay the registration fee? And that’s a good question!

If ASCE invites a reporter to cover a conference or event that requires a registration fee, we’ll pay the reporter’s registration and give them a “press pass.” A press pass includes everything in a general conference registration, including meals. If you think about it, you wouldn’t invite a guest to your house and then charge them to get in (or eat)!

Of course, it’s always nice if a reporter lets us know ahead of time whether he or she plans to attend. Not only does that allow us to keep track of what outlets will be present, but it also lets us find out what type of story the reporter is planning to write. If we know this ahead of time, we can help link the reporter with an ASCE representative who is an expert on their story topic. However, keep in mind that a reporter may not know he or she is writing a story about an event until the day of the event. Always be prepared in case you have a few reporters drop in.

Has the media ever attended one of your Section or Branch events? What was your experience?

Anthony Reed
Manager, External Relations

The topic of diversity and inclusion is growing in importance and relevance as national efforts to recruit talented professionals from underrepresented groups increase. The impact of these and other global shifts taking place in this country are changing the way we think about how business is conducted with clients from different parts of the world and even how we interact with colleagues in our own offices.

Increasing workforce diversity has presented valuable opportunities to invite divergent perspectives and explore challenges, and they have been reflected within ASCE through members requesting support to plan and launch their diversity efforts. ASCE Sections and Branches are engaging members in diversity through a variety of events and activities. Members are leading discussions on the value of diversity, and they are exploring workforce diversity issues as well as emerging trends such as flexible work arrangements and generational issues.

If you’d like to host a diversity activity in your Section or Branch, ASCE can help you create a valuable learning experience. Whether your objective is to educate members, generate awareness or advocate for more diverse and inclusive work environments, resources are available to help you engage members in your community.

Start by contacting ASCE at diversity@asce.org and tell us about your event. Our staff is prepared to help you:

• Identify topics and formats that promote the exchange of views and practices among members
• Connect with diversity partners in your local area
• Locate professional speakers who can encourage, motivate, educate and inspire
• Help you select the best ASCE resource for your event

And that’s just the beginning! The fun really begins when you spread the word about your event! Start in your local community by promoting the event at your next Section or Branch meeting or in your Section/Branch newsletter. Reach out to Younger Member Groups! Its been said that Gen Xers, Gen Ys and Millennials are generally more diversity savvy and possess more cultural awareness and sensitivity than us Boomers, so optimize on the contributions they can make. And don’t stop there! Get your local media involved in marketing your event. Contact local business reporters or reporters at your local business journal!

Do you already have an established diversity program in your Section or Branch? Are you just starting out? Tell us about your experiences in the comments section below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Lisa J. Jennings
Senior Manager, Diversity and Pre-College Outreach