Here it is October 1st and all the trees in my neighborhood still have all their leaves and there has been no change of color. I asked the little boy next door:” Cory will we have snow on your birthday again.” You guessed it; he was born on the Friday of the October surprise 8 years ago. His dad said he will remember that ride for the rest of his life. Being prepared is important and let’s face it, it is not called the October Surprise for nothing. Isn’t being prepared for those "surprises" what sustainability is partially about, and having our critical infrastructure survive the unexpected?
Currently my biggest concerns are the sustainability of this Section and continuing our mission of “providing essential value to its members, their careers, our partners, and the public through developing leadership, advancing technology, advocating lifelong learning and promoting the profession.”
To accomplish these goals we need participation in committees and active Board members. I ask you, our members, to seriously consider joining one of our committees or considering joining our Section Board. Age and occupation should be no barrier. Robert Stevens, who will be sworn in as our new National President is a Life Member and yours truly will be one in 2015. As one of our Directors’s told me at the last Board meeting, six years ago he was in high school. Please check the Chair list on this website and contact them to volunteer.
I just met with our SUNY at Buffalo Student Chapter and it was great to see a room full of enthusiastic young people. They have committees for the concrete canoe, steel bridge and seismic design along with various community projects. I wish them a great year.
This month we have our Joint venture with the Rochester Section at the October 19th Bills game versus the Minnesota Vikings. You don’t have to go to the game to go to the tailgate party. Check this website for details.
The ASCI / ASCE Steel seismic seminar will be in Batavia on November 4th. Details will be on the website shortly and the brochure will be coming out soon.
Finally we have a very important Anniversary coming up in 2021 – the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Buffalo Section. You’ll be hearing more and more about what we plan to do as the date approaches.
Rick Kotecki
ASCE Buffalo Section - President