It’s hard to believe how much has changed about the way we live and work since the last time the Board of Direction met in March. If we ever needed a reminder about the importance of being ready for change and the ability to adjust on the fly, 2020 has certainly provided it. We saw our industry adapt remarkably well this spring, with the immediate installment of remote work models and virtual meetings. I also believe our Board took important steps at our July 2020 meeting to make ASCE a more nimble and adaptable organization amid these changing times.
We addressed several issues critical to the Society’s long-term success, including the fiscal year 2021 budget, potential committee realignment, new membership models, investments in our students and younger member and an updated ASCE Code of Ethics. You can read about these decisions in more detail in ASCE News.
Other highlights from the Board meeting:
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The Task Committee on Credentialing updated the Board on a potential new certification concept.The committee has worked with a consulting group during the last year to conduct market research on the concept.Directors were asked to complete a survey about the proposal, and the Board will revisit the discussion at the October meeting.
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In keeping with the theme of streamlining and improving, the Board approved the creation of a new task committee to review and, if needed, recommend revisions to the Institute Operating Procedures document, last revised in September 2016.
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The Board approved one new policy, a new resolution, and updates to 50 existing policy statements.The new statements include a resolution that focuses on the National Environmental Policy Act and a new policy statement on the Historic American Engineering Record.
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The Board received updates on the ongoing digital strategy project; the work of MOSAIC (Members of Society Advancing an Inclusive Culture); and the Committee on Education’s recent accreditation activities.Additionally, the Board voted in support of the objectives and recommendations developed at ASCE’s 2019 Civil Engineering Education Summit.
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The Board received for second consideration and voted to approve amendments to the Society’s bylaws as presented by the Governing Documents Committee.The amendments include several items that the Board previously voted to remove from the ASCE constitution and move into the bylaws.The Board also voted to approve amendments to the Society’s Rules of Policy and Procedure that incorporate language from the bylaws, clarify current language, and streamline the document.The Board also received for consideration and accepted for first reading an amendment to the constitution to allow student members the right to vote.This issue will be reviewed for a second reading at a future Board meeting.If accepted, this issue would be included in a full membership vote in May 2021.All amendments can be reviewed on the ASCE website.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for October.
To share your views or provide ideas on how ASCE can better serve its members, please email Carl.