We are pleased to announce the call for FY13 Committee/Task Force Chair, Coordinator and Chair Elect applications. The application process will allow all SWE members the opportunity to express an interest in these types of leadership roles within the Society. It will also allow us the opportunity to better match our members’ strengths and interests to the needs of the Society.

Please review the open leadership positions for FY13 on the application form.  The description of each open leadership position can be found here .  Please fill out the Chair / Chair Elect application form with the requested information and return it in Word or PDF format along with a photo (headshot at 300 dpi resolution) in a .jpg file to hq@swe.org by April 1, 2012.  

All applications will then be reviewed and applicants will be notified by June 1. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact headquarters at 312.596.5237.

The Women in Academia committee has been newly chartered and will need a chair and chair elect for FY13.  Continuing committees such as Bylaws and Procedures also need both a chair and chair-elect.

The Collegiate Interests Committee has been sunset; thus it is not included in the call.  We thank all volunteers who have worked on this group.

Thank you for your interest.

Alyse Stofer

FY12 President Elect

president-elect@swe.org

Following positions are open at our SWE section for the upcoming fiscal year.  The descriptions for each positions are below.  If you are interested in a leadership opportunity with Tampa Bay SWE, contact Lara Bartholomew at president-tba@swe.org.

President:

Represent the section before the public and preside at meetings of the section and its executive council;

• Appoint the chairs of all committees, with the approval of the executive council, except the chair of the nominating committee;
• Approve the appointment of all committee members, except the members of the nominating committee; 
• Authorize the disbursement of section funds within the budget approved by the executive council;
• Be an authorized signatory on all section accounts;
• Coordinate activities and execute the business and policies of the section between meetings;
• Review and approve the year-end section financial report;
• The President shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Chapter are carried into effect; and
• Perform other duties normally associated with the office of president or as may be assigned by the executive council or the governance documents.

Vice President

(more…)

SWE Magazine’s Fall 2011 Issue Digital Edition is now available! Easily read interesting articles and keep up to date with SWE news and events. And with just a few clicks, pass it on to friends, colleagues and prospective members.

Wind Power: Remaking the Energy Landscape

As technical advances and market pressures create a 21st century energy rush, wind power is taking an increasingly dominant role. Read the Article.

Also In This Issue:

• Engineers Teaching K-12 Classes Put the E in STEM
• Women Engineering Leaders in Academe 2011

Also, be sure to check out past issues of SWE Magazine on our SWE Magazine page.

Mission

The Society of Women Engineers stimulates women to achieve full potential in careers as engineers and leaders, expands the image of the engineering professionals as a positive force in improving the quality of life, and demonstrates the value of diversity.
Goals & Objectives

The Vision Statement:

• Aspire to make engineering a top educational choice for girls.
• Advance women engineers in the workplace.
• Achieve excellence as leaders within our fields.

The Vivid Descriptions:

• SWE’s outreach activities make girls enthusiastic about engineering, increasing the percentage of women in engineering curriculums to 50%.
• SWE activities positively impact women’s decisions to graduate in engineering and stay in the engineering profession.
• Most women studying or working in engineering are SWE members.
• SWE is known as a premier provider of professional development for engineers and engineering leaders.
• The world regularly hears about the accomplishments of engineers, especially women engineers, in the news.
• Women engineers are sought after for distinguished leadership positions at the world’s top companies and institutions.
• SWE continues to be widely recognized as the primary resource on women in engineering.
• SWE has tremendous support from corporations and organizations because they recognize the value that women engineers provide to society.
• SWE’s Board of Director positions are coveted because of their prestige.

This statement becomes part of the strategic planning process. Congratulations to COR for passing this statement. Thank you to everyone involved for your efforts.

Program Highlights

The Society of Women Engineers offers opportunities for women through two areas: Career Guidance and Continuing Development. With activities that address technical, organizational and leadership skills, SWE’s Career Guidance programs are dedicated to the goal of encouraging women and girls of all ages to pursue engineering studies and enter the field of engineering. Continuing Development (CD) programs offer technical and professional growth opportunities and include conferences, workshops, speaker meetings and speaker training, job banks, newsletters and networking. The CD programs offered match the specific needs of the regional membership. Local SWE sections initiate many of these Continuing Development activities.

SWE is a national organization with an international membership of thousands of men and women dedicated to the advancement of women in the engineering profession. SWE works closely with other societies on projects of mutual interest.

SWE is a non-profit, educational, service organization incorporated in 1952. It is categorized as a 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service.

The Society’s fiscal year is July 1 through June 30.

Member Benefits

By: Sarah Anthoney, South Ohio Section Representative

What is the value of your SWE membership? Ask a dozen members which benefit of SWE membership they value most and you will likely get several different responses. For some members, it is the professional support and networking opportunities. For other members, it is the leadership opportunities.

A recent survey of 500 SWE members (performed by Kerr & Downs Research in 2001) found the following reasons why members continued their membership:

• Programs that encourage girls to pursue a career in engineering – 63%
• Professional support and networking – 62%
• Personal and social support – 38%
• SWE’s seminars and workshops – 32%
• Enhance credentials – 25%
• Leadership opportunities – 21%
• Issues relevant to women engineers – 20%
• Give back to the profession – 19%

Are you making the most of your SWE membership? Do you know that SWE membership provides you with the following benefits and opportunities?

• Encourage girls to pursue a career in engineering through career guidance programs and SWE’s alliances with Girls Inc., Girl Scouts, and Building Engineering and Science Talent (BEST).
• Network with women engineers and women in technical fields from academia, government and industry; corporate representatives; government officials; and other individuals supporting the mission of SWE.
• Apply for funding through scholarship programs for freshman, sophomores, juniors, seniors, graduate students and women re-entering the workforce as engineers (at national and section levels).
• Attend national and regional conferences providing a venue for networking, professional development, and career opportunities.
• Pay reduced fees to attend national and regional conferences and section events.
• Receive SWE Magazine, the Society’s award winning magazine, covering issues of interest to women engineers including the achievements of women engineers, career development, career guidance, activities within the Society, and technical topics.
• Develop professionally via seminars, workshops and leadership conferences offered.
• Participate in awards and recognition programs honoring outstanding accomplishments of women in the engineering profession as well as those who have contributed significantly to the advancement of women in the engineering profession.
• Publish articles in the SWE Magazine.
• Present technical papers at national and regional conferences.
• Lead seminars and workshops at national and regional conferences.
• Pursue career opportunities via ResumeLink, JobMatch and On-line Career Fair.
• Develop leadership experience in a non-threatening environment through leadership roles at the section, region and national levels.
• Support SWE through rebates back to the Society as a result of members’ use of MBNA MasterCard and Visa credit cards, GEICO insurance, and BrassRing JobMatch service.
• Support SWE as an advocate for women in engineering through SWE’s initiatives with government officials and participation in task forces such as the Commission on the Advancement of Women and Minorities in Science, Engineering and Technology Development (CAWMSET).
• Increase the visibility of SWE and women engineers through affiliations with National Engineers Week (SWE will be the 2006 sponsor of EWeek), American Association of Engineering Societies (AAES) (SWE is a members organization), International Conference of Women in Engineering and Science (ICWES) (SWE is one of the founding members), and International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists (INWES) (SWE is a key player in the formation of this organization.)
• Make a difference through volunteerism at the section, region and national levels.

Make the most of your SWE membership! If you would like more information on any of these benefits, please contact SWE Headquarters at membership@swe.org.

or any of the SWE-Tampa Bay Area Officers