Can I ask for your help on something? In the Spectrum of Performance, which ranges from Complete Failure (1) to Extreme Success (10), I have a lot of things that I'm trying to get past the halfway mark. There is one thing in particular that's been solidly lodged in the 2 Spot for a long time. Let me explain.
At least a decade ago, in response to some sort of energizing-intentioned email while in whatever ASCE role I embraced at the time, Mike Cook responded "You can't spell Reneé S. Carter without ASCE!" I think it was a comment on my inability to be a normal person and just be cool about things. I'm not cool. I don't do things lightly, I can't leave well enough alone, and I've never balanced my passions appropriately a single day in my life.
I've had the pleasure of serving through many positions in ASCE in the University of Akron Student Chapter, our Akron-Canton Section, and the National Society. But there is one I can't quite get the hang of and I have failed in it the entire time I've had it: Akron-Canton Section Public Relations Chair. I can count on three fingers in the years of Board of Directors meetings when I had something to report beyond "No News is Good News."
I can do better than that. We could have reached out to the Beacon Journal to discuss the East Avenue bridge that was hit by a truck, yet is still standing. We could do a better job of reaching our elected officials to weigh in on legislature, such as Senate Bill 255 which threatens P.E. Licensure requirements in the state Ohio. We could exhibit the profession to the public a little better during Engineer's Week. I'm sure you know of other opportunities to enhance our public relations and reputation.
Will you forward those opportunities to us as you come across them? The Board of Directors can then discuss, consult the Society level public relations mission, and formulate a response or course of action. By doing this, we can be further entrusted by our society to create a sustainable world and enhance the global quality of life. That is our Vision for Civil Engineering in 2025, after all.
