Hello SEAOI Members! As we inch closer to Thanksgiving, the winter holidays, and general hibernation, I want to highlight this month's focus on our November SEAOI Engagement Challenge: Social Media Engagement! This is your chance to showcase your involvement with SEAOI by posting on LinkedIn and your other social media accounts. Share your experiences, tag SEAOI, and help us spread the word about the great work and initiatives within our community. Every post strengthens our network and brings new visibility to the structural engineering profession in Illinois and beyond. The best part of this challenge? You don’t even have to get up from your cozy late fall seat. Did you help build a home with WiSE and WomenBuild last month? Did you attend the NCSEA Structural Engineering Summit in Las Vegas earlier this month? What about the Structural Engineering Foundation Lecture? Did you see me there? Post about it! In other news, I’d like to share an important step we took regarding the Structural Engineering computer-based test. SEAOI distributed a letter to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), and other NCSEA and member organization leadership, addressing several key issues of concern with the new exam format. The letter outlines our members’ experiences with the new exam, to foster an ongoing dialogue around improvements that could benefit both emerging and established professionals. You can view the letter here.   A huge thank you to all of the SEAOI members and exam candidates who shared their experiences with us. We know that the letter is in the right hands at NCEES and we have requested the topic be added to the next IDFPR meeting. Other states have also responded favorably to our letter, now interested in conducting their own experience survey to confirm our assertions and ultimately push their own states’ licensing boards to advocate for changes to the format. Thank you for your continued engagement and dedication to our profession. Let’s make this month’s challenge an impactful one, and keep up the great work as we approach the end of the year. Warm regards, Jennie Traut-Todaro SE, LEED AP President, Structural Engineers Association of Illinois

Hello SEAOI Members,

I hope this message finds you well and energized as we transition into the fall season. As we enter October, it's a perfect time to pivot – Yes, pivot. Or at least for me and SEAOI to stay agile and problem-solve in the moment.

Another month has passed and our licensed colleagues need to renew our Structural Engineer Illinois license by November 30, 2024. This is an important opportunity to keep your knowledge sharp and your professional credentials up-to-date.

If you're still working on fulfilling your hours, we’ve got you covered. Be sure to mark your calendars for the SEAOI Structures Symposium on October 15, where you'll have the chance to earn several PDHs while engaging with industry-leading topics and discussions. Additionally, don’t forget about our Licensure Renewal Webinar Bundle — designed to provide accessible, on-demand education to fit your busy schedule. The bundle covers the three core hours required for renewal – sexual harassment prevention training, ethics, and statutes and rules that regulate SEs and structural engineering all in one place.

In other news, if you were checking off your SEAOI Engagement Challenges on that printed copy of my first message you have hung in your cubicle or home office, or both, because everyone loves a checklist, you would expect the September Challenge to have been: Join a Local Happy Hour with Fellow Members. That’s still the plan. SEAOI has a valuable event sponsorship opportunity available! We had over 65 members join us for our June happy hour. It’s a unique opportunity to share your message with our members across multiple firms all while helping us celebrate our members taking the fall exams.  If that’s you, reach out to Stephanie (scrain@seaoi.org), please!

Let’s finish the year strong, continuing our commitment to excellence, engagement, and professional growth. Looking forward to seeing you at the Symposium!

Warm regards,

Jennie Traut-Todaro SE, LEED AP
President, Structural Engineers Association of Illinois

Dear SEAOI Members,

As summer gradually winds down and we gear up for the vibrant activities of the fall, I hope you all have had the chance to relax and recharge a bit during the busiest season of the year for structural engineers. The energy and enthusiasm each of you brings to our organization is truly inspiring, and I am grateful for your continued dedication and participation.

With September just around the corner, I am thrilled to announce our upcoming Dinner Meeting on September 10 at Cliff Dwellers and encourage you to invite a friend! Ryan Culligan and Brad Young from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill are presenting on the 400 Lake Shore project. In addition to offering details about this new Chicago Gateway, the September Dinner Meeting promises to be a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, share insights, and discuss the latest developments in our field. 

Why Attend?

• Engaging Discussions: Our dinner meetings are known for their lively and insightful discussions. This is your chance to hear from leading experts, ask questions, and contribute your own experiences.

• Networking: Building and maintaining professional relationships is key to our success. These meetings provide a relaxed environment to meet new people, catch up with old friends, and expand your network.

• Professional Growth: Continuous learning and development are at the heart of SEAOI's mission. Attending our dinner meetings helps you stay current with industry trends and enhances your professional knowledge.

Bring a Friend!

This year, we are particularly keen on expanding and engaging our community. We encourage each of you to bring a friend or colleague to the September dinner meeting. Whether they are seasoned professionals or just starting their careers, this is a great way to introduce them to the benefits of SEAOI membership. By inviting new faces, we enrich our discussions and broaden our perspectives.

How to Register

Signing up is easy! Simply visit the event page and register for the event. Don't forget to register your guest, too!

I am looking forward to seeing all of you at the dinner meeting and to the engaging conversations that will surely unfold. Together, let's make this event a memorable start to our fall season.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement. Let's make this a year of growth, learning, and community.

Warm regards,

Jennie Traut-Todaro SE, LEED AP
President, Structural Engineers Association of Illinois

Thank you for being an essential part of SEAOI. Let's make this year one of connection and growth!

We are going to try something new this year and I hope you’ll join me. I am excited to announce the SEAOI Engagement Challenge, a year-long initiative designed to enhance member involvement and build a stronger community. Each month, we'll introduce a new mini-challenge aimed at fostering engagement, networking, and professional growth.

July’s challenge is to Volunteer for a Committee. That might sound intimidating or overwhelming, but it’s really the best way to make this organization work for you. Volunteering enhances your leadership skills and expands your professional network – and it can even be fun!

Pro Tip: You don’t have to formally join the committee without attending a meeting or two first. Most meetings are virtual and you can easily drop in to get a feeling for what they do and the range of time commitments of the members. Check out our committees here and once you find one (or two) you’d like to check out, email our amazing Executive Director, Stephanie Crain scrain@seaoi.org, and get added to the meeting invitation.

What committees you'll find me in:

• Continuing Education
• Women in Structural Engineering
• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• SEAOI Board Meeting
• SEAOI Strategic Plan

Here’s what you can look forward to over the next year:

July: Volunteer for a Committee
Sign up to volunteer with one of our committees or events.

August: Bring a Friend
Invite a member or non-member colleague with you to attend the Fall Kick-Off SEAOI Dinner Meeting in September.

September: Networking Happy Hour
Join a local happy hour with fellow members.

October: Attend a Webinar - Illinois SE Renewal is 11/30!
Join at least one SEAOI webinar and share your key takeaways.

November: Social Media Engagement
Post about your SEAOI involvement on LinkedIn and your other social media accounts and tag us.

December: Spotlight a Member
Nominate a colleague who inspires you for our monthly member spotlight.

January: New Year, New Goals
Set and share your professional goals for the year ahead.

February: Share a Success Story
Submit a story about a project or achievement you’re proud of. It can be your own success or a colleague's!

March: Share Your Ideas
Submit your ideas for future SEAOI activities, events, or initiatives to help us better serve our members.

April: Community Service
Participate in a community service project and share your experience.

May: Mentor a Student
Offer to mentor a student or young professional in the field.

June: Year-End Reflection
Reflect on your year of engagement and suggest improvements for next year.

Each mini-challenge will be communicated at the beginning of the month via email with further details. Your participation will not only enrich your own professional journey but also contribute to the strength and vitality of our organization and Illinois’s structural engineering community.

Let's get started together!

Warm regards,

Jennie Traut-Todaro SE, LEED AP
President, Structural Engineers Association of Illinois

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SEAOI Staff & Board of Directors