The ASCE Board of Direction met in San Francisco in January. This meeting was the first meeting of the fully downsized board that was decreed by our change in governance. Recall that one of the reasons for going with a smaller board was to allow us to be more nimble and flexible. Well, we are taking up that charge immediately. Knowing that sustainability is now a high priority in the minds of the public as well as the profession, we appointed a new Task Force to accelerate the presence of ASCE in the discussion. While we added sustainability to our Code of Ethics a few years ago, we have not completed a set of definitions and guidelines for use by our members. Several groups are working on elements of the effort, but the need for quick action exceeds their current assignments.

The word sustainability means many things to many people. Our new Task Force is asked to deliver a definition of what sustainability means on civil works projects. The definitions are to be clear enough to be easily understood by our members. Most of us are also aware of the excellent work done in certifying building projects and the LEED AP program. ASCE will be the leader in establishing any programs to define and/or certify projects and professionals in civil engineering. Our new Task Force will make recommendations on that topic, too.

The public awareness of our impact on the long-term environment, changes in design philosophies, and initiatives by other organizations demand that ASCE acts quickly. The Board should be commended for taking this decisive step.

A few years ago, ASCE modified its election procedures to allow our most qualified candidates to run for President-elect when they were ready. This year, we have hit the jackpot.

Three of our most experienced and dedicated leaders are pursuing the position – Kathy Caldwell of Florida, Moustafa Gouda of New Jersey, and Garland Rose of Tennessee. I have the distinct privilege of having served with each of them, and I know that we cannot go wrong. We heard them express their vision for ASCE at our recent leadership conferences. You can read those vision statements, plus biographical statements, on our Web site – click here.

Each candidate brings a clear, yet distinct, vision of the society. Each brings a different personality and leadership style. Whoever is selected will do a great job. However, we also are allowing both ASCE units as well as individuals to endorse a candidate. I encourage you to do a little homework to determine who offers the vision that best fits your organization. We will list endorsements on our Web site prior to the election, which opens in mid-June. Why don’t you weigh in on your favorite?

For some time, members have asked for a choice. You have a choice this year. Help us choose the person who will lead us into the second decade of this century.

Are you ready for “E-Week”? Everybody celebrates it each February — this year it’s from the 15th through 21st. Now if we could just figure out what it is.

Civil engineers routinely lament that the general public does not know what we do. The responsibility for that dilemma resides with us. The National Society of Professional Engineers was nice enough many years ago to set aside a week each year to celebrate the accomplishments of engineers. We used to call it Engineers Week. Everybody knew that it’s the week to throw a party for their favorite engineer. The public knew whom to celebrate. Somehow, though, the term “E-Week” entered the vernacular a few years ago. What does E-Week celebrate? Electronic messages? The environment? Energy independence? I don’t know, either.

I, for one, intend to celebrate National “Engineers Week.” I hope you will join me. We should take advantage of a whole week centered on our profession.

Find out about Engineers Week activities by clicking on the icon at right to visit the official Web site.

ASCE released its 2009 Infrastructure Report Card last Wednesday, January 25. You can see the results by clicking on the link on asce.org.

The great thing about the early release (original date was in March) is that it allowed us to be a big part of the discussion on infrastructure in the economic stimulus plan. We held a press conference at the National Press Club and were fortunate to have Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell join us. Prior to the press conference, we made a number of visits on Capitol Hill to meet influential committees. Thursday was a media blitz where we were interviewed on more than two dozen media outlets. ASCE and infrastructure were highlighted all over the country as the House was voting on the stimulus package.

The best thing of all is that infrastructure is now part of our national conversation. Interviewers understood what we were saying and in most cases agreed that something significant needed to be done. Our reputation as honest purveyors of information remains intact. Be proud to be a member of ASCE. We are making a difference in the efforts to have infrastructure regain its position as a primary initiative of the federal government.