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SAME Teammates:
Can you believe that we are nearing the six month point since we all "went virtual" to help contain the spread of the coronavirus? The amazing part about how we all adapted to this unexpected situation is we have not missed a beat! Regions, Posts, and Communities of Interest continue to deliver value and attract significantly greater participation. We have also fully executed our national calendar, and not only every event, but everything we planned to do, including IGE Roundtable initiatives (Project Partnering and Cost Estimating), our first Leader Development Program graduation, Centennial Celebrations, all Society governance activities, and the upcoming Fellows Investiture. We have executed it all. Well done, TEAM!
We only have one big national event left in 2020: the Virtual Federal Small Business Conference for the A/E/C Industry in November. We have been working hard to craft a unique market research event, not simply take our usual in-person conference and make it virtual. So, strap your seatbelts on and get ready for some things old, some things new, some things borrowed and (no, not blue)—just value for both industry and government and the start of some new approaches, even for future in-person conferences.
Lastly, and most importantly, across the Society we continue to demonstrate support for our members, partners, and stakeholders, regardless of the environment in which we find ourselves. We continue to demonstrate genuine concern for each other and for people, our nation's greatest resource. That brings me to a great example. Cindy Lincicome recently informed us of a dire medical situation with the son of one of our longest-serving members, Lee Cool, an active member 61 years, now with the Pikes Peak Post. His son Richard is in need of a pancreas and kidney transplant. Lee reached out to SAME in hopes that spreading the word might produce a miracle. If you know of anyone who might be able to help, you can contact them directly. Thanks for caring, Cindy and Pikes Peak Post teammates!
And thanks to each of you for your support and teamwork as we all work to deliver value and take every challenge in stride!
Deeds Not Words!
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| Joe Schroedel, Executive Director |
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FEATURED EVENT
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Virtual Small Business Conference: Nov. 4-6
SAME's Federal Small Business Conference is going virtual this fall! The market research event of 2020 will be held Nov. 4-6, bringing together more than 3,000 professionals from across government and industry for three days of learning, networking and building relationships. Registration for Virtual SBC opens Tuesday Sept. 1.
Built by the Experts from government and industry, this exclusive virtual experience will help you stay connected with your colleagues and business partners—but from the safety of your home as we all continue to adapt due to the challenges of COVID-19. From keynote speeches, to cutting-edge education sessions, to networking engagements and teaming discussions you cannot find any place else, Virtual SBC will offer so much of what you need right now to grow your company and strengthen your agency.
Virtual SBC Highlights
- Keynote Speakers and Dynamic General Sessions
- Education Tracks Tailored Specifically for Small Businesses
- Virtual Exhibits Featuring New Online Interaction Tools
- Matchmaking One-on-One Appointments
- Listening Sessions with Government Decision-Makers
- Topical Roundtables for Large, Medium, and Small Businesses
Be a part of Virtual SBC and see how you can strengthen your company and agency for today, and tomorrow. Reserve your spot starting Sept. 1!
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Submit Nominations for Small Business Awards
A highlight of SBC each year is the presentation of the SAME Small Business Awards. The deadline to submit nominations is Oct. 2, 2020.
Learn more about the four awards being presented and submit a nomination today to recognize an outstanding colleague or organization for excellence!
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SOCIETY NEWS & NOTES
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Recapping Post Leaders Workshop
The 2020 Post Leaders Workshop was held virtually, Aug. 10-12. The event drew more than 300 participants this year, a record number! Thanks to all those who attended and learned new ways to strengthen their local Posts.
Each day of Post Leaders Workshop addressed timely topics facing Posts, and also looked at key documents and strategic initiatives Society-wide that will drive how Posts align their programs and activities over the next few years.
Day One included a look at the new 2025 SAME Strategic Plan and corresponding 2025 SAME Streamers Program. On Day Two, the topics were Hosting Virtual Events and Membership Recruitment/Retainment. Day Three provided a look at many tools for Post Leaders to Manage Membership at their local Posts and then the final session was centered on Marketing & Communications, including a demonstration of adding events to Post calendars, which is vitally important to increase awareness and engagement.
All the documents, resources, and session recordings with slides are available on the Post Leaders Workshop webpage.
Missed Virtual PLW and want an in-depth summary of each day? Check out our Daily Recaps for highlights from the week: Day One | Day Two | Day Three
Recapping Facilities Management Workshop
More than 500 people attended the 2020 Virtual Facilities Management Workshop, held July 29-31.The event featured three days of dynamic education sessions, keynote speakers, a joint geospatial engineering roundtable, a virtual exhibitor marketplace, and even a networking happy hour and then topic-specific breakout hang-outs.
The event opened with an address by Lt. Gen. Douglas Gabram, USA, Commanding General of U.S. Army Installation Management Command. The other keynote speaker was Doug Mouton, RA, the General Manager of Global Datacenter Procurement & Construction with Microsoft. In between Virtual FMW featured 24 education sessions, examining timely challenges and innovations within the facility asset management arena.
As a bonus, Virtual FMW attendees (and anyone who registers after the event to access recordings) receives access to a special COVID-19 education track, presented by IFMA.
Anyone interested in accessing the Virtual FMW sessions recordings can still register by visiting www.fmworkshop.org and heading to the Registration Menu Tab. Sessions will be available through the end of 2020.
Missed Virtual FMW and want an in-depth summary of each day? Check out our Daily Recaps for highlights from the week: Day One | Day Two | Day Three
Leader Development Program Graduation
The inaugural class of the SAME Leader Development Program graduated in a virtual ceremony Aug. 14. The class of 17 members from across SAME, which began its year-long program in May 2019, was originally set to graduate at the 2020 JETC in Washington, D.C. But as the coronavirus caused the cancellation of the in-person JETC, the graduation was moved until August to give it a special ceremony, which featured U.S. Army Chief of Engineers Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite, P.E., USA, as the keynote speaker.
The graduation ceremony also included toasts from several of SAME's national leaders and leaders from the SAME Foundation, which underwrites the Leader Development Program. There also were retrospectives from several class members and a short video to look back at the year together.
The SAME Leader Development Program's second class is now underway and set to graduate next May at the 2021 JETC in Portland, Ore. Applications for SAME's third LDP class will open this fall. For more information, visit www.same.org/ldp.
Academy of Fellows Investiture: Sept. 16
 The Academy of Fellows Class of 2020 Investiture will be held Sept. 16 at 4:00 p.m. ET. While the event will be on Zoom, the expectation is also to share the ceremony at the same time on simulcast on Facebook Live on SAME's Facebook page.
Members are encouraged to watch and learn more about the first Fellows Class of SAME's second century and see what they are committing to support as Society Fellows.
This year's class includes 36 new Fellows, and representing organizations across industry, military, and government.
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Submitting Fellows Nominations
A Nominations for the 2021 Class of Fellows are due to the SAME National Office by Oct. 1, 2020. By Sept. 17, 2020, all Regional Fellows Point of Contact need to complete their nomination packet reviews and provide comments to nominators.
Learn more and submit a nomination at www.same.org/fellows/nominations.
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Welcome SAME's Newest Sustaining Members
Since the 1950s, Sustaining Members have played a leading role in making SAME an impactful organization, through active participation in local and national activities, providing subject matter expertise to strengthen our programs, and helping ensure our financial health. Today, SAME has over 1,600 Sustaining Members worldwide.
Welcome to the newest Sustaining Members, which came on board in Ju 2020!
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Bosco Constructors Inc. (Littleton, Colo.)
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Bourn Environmental (Mitchellville, Md.)
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DNK (Cincinnati, Ohio)
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Edman Builders LLC (Fort Collins, Colo.)
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Geospatial Consulting Group International LL (Alexandria, Va.)
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Hull's Environmental Services Inc. (Panama City, Fla.)
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Macro Plastics (Long Beach, Miss.)
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MB Design Consultants LLC (Baton Rouge, La.)
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Molinas Construction (Portland, Ore.)
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Paramount Construction Group (Ridgeland, Miss.)
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Sole Trader Renewable Energy LLC (Memphis, Tenn.)
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TRIAD Architects (Columbus, Ohio)
To learn more about SAME Sustaining Members, and search services and capabilities, visit our Sustaining Member Directory at www.same.org/directory.
Want to join SAME as a Sustaining Member? Learn more about joining today!
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EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
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Upcoming Webinars Hosted by SAME
Hotter, Wetter, Wilder: A Climate Sustainability & Resilience Perspective for Coastal Maryland
Hosted by the Resilience Community of Interest | Sept. 2 at 1:00 PM ET
Over the next decade, nearly all North American net population growth is expected to occur in urban areas, following a global trend of about 1.4 million people added to cities each week. The urbanization trend puts tremendous pressure on infrastructure and assets clustered around existing waterfronts. Cities like Baltimore will face the effects of economic downturn in the shorter term. At the same time, coastal communities in Maryland will have to assess and adopt longer term sustainability and resilience programs to ensure livability for communities at the local level, while staying competitive at the regional and state level. Learn more and register.
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Virtual Design Reviews and Planning Charrettes: Methodology, Tools, and Applications
Hosted by the International Community of Interest | Sept. 10 at 8:00 AM ET (1:00 PM London; 2:00 PM Berlin; 11:00 PM Tokyo)
The new normal or just a more efficient way of performing project delivery? Or both? A reality that government and industry professionals share as a result of COVID-19 is a reliance on technology to fill the gap of face-to-face design reviews and planning charrettes. When a shift back to in-person events will relax or change ways is an unknown, but what is clear to all is the necessity to develop methods and processes to optimize the delivery, performance and outcomes from our virtual sessions. This panel session will offer methods, insights and best practices for the delivery of virtual design reviews and planning charrettes from industry, as well as perspectives and expectations from government project professionals. Learn more and listen on GoTo Meeting.
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Predicting Construction Costs in Volatile Markets: Lessons from Recent Disasters
Hosted by SAME and Gordian | Sept. 10 at 2:00 PM ET
In response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), moved quickly to help Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands rebuild and recover by distributing aid to smaller local government agencies and nonprofits. But like all publicly funded agencies, FEMA is expected to practice financial responsibility. This webinar will delve into FEMA’s experience developing high-resolution cost data specifically for the post-disaster environments of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Attendees will learn how data was gathered and cost databases were developed and what projects have been completed using this special dataset. Learn more and register.
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TME Presents: Sustaining Contingency Bases Through Solar
Hosted by SAME/The Military Engineer | Sept. 16 at 2:00 PM ET
You've read the article; now learn the rest of the story. Take a deeper look into “Sustaining Contingency Bases Through Solar Power,” originally featured in The Military Engineer March-April 2020 issue. The fuel logistics issue creates a potential threat to forward operating base energy resiliency—if fuel convoys are cut off, attacked, or depleted, base electrical power to mission essential operations is lost. Additionally, fuel convoys require security protection, which places personnel in harm’s way. Research within the U.S. Air Force demonstrates that renewable energy systems may be viable candidates for contingency bases and are reasonable from economic and logistic perspectives in relatively short timespans when compared with typical forward operating base lifetimes. Learn more and register.
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View Upcoming & Recorded Education Opportunities
SAME has set up a landing page to provide links to upcoming webinars hosted nationally as well as access to recorded webinars housed on our YouTube channel.
The upcoming webinars and recorded sessions are available free to members. The page also has links to SAME's Strategic Partners and other resources, including our RedVector portal, where SAME members can enjoy special discount pricing.
Visit www.same.org/education-opportunities to boost your knowledge!
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Offerings from SAME's Strategic Partners
GWU: How the Electric Grid Works and Renewables Fit In
The George Washington University is providing a new online course this fall: "How the Electric Grid Works and Renewables Fit In." The course outlines the ins and outs of the power system as well as how to design and finance renewable projects.
The course begins Sept. 7; it is three weeks, all online, and self-paced. SAME members receive a 15 percent discount. Use discount code SAME-15. Learn more and register.
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ACG: Essential Cx Webinar Series
From August through December, ACG: AABC Commissioning Group is hosting a multi-part webinar series on commissioning. Topics include energy modeling to building envelope commissioning, to the critical occupancy issue of coronavirus. SAME members receive a 10 percent discount.
Use discount code SAME10. Learn more and register.
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NSPE Offering Member-Pricing for Online Courses
Keep up with your P.E. requirements through one of SAME's Strategic Partners. The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) is offering SAME members special member-pricing to access professional development content and help them stay current with licensure requirements this year.
Visit the webpages below and use promotional code SAME when you check out.
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NEW AT BRICKS & CLICKS
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Post Best Practices: Honoring Their Sacrifices
 For the Philadelphia Post, honoring America’s veterans is a focus of its annual work plan—and through one project in particular, it is making an enduring impact thanks to the volunteer hours of its members and the technical expertise of Sustaining Members.
Located 3-mi from where George Washington crossed the Delaware River in southeastern Pennsylvania, Washington Crossing National Cemetery formally opened in 2010 on 205-acres of property purchased by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The total campus covers 64-acres, with a 12-acre burial area, an administration and public information center complex, a maintenance facility, a flag assembly area, a columbarium complex, and committal shelters for funeral services.
Continue reading at Bricks & Clicks...
Post Best Practices: Reinventing for Lasting Success
 Over the decades, there have been Posts that have come and gone, impacted by economic, demographic, and strategic changes in communities. A few years ago, the Fort Detrick Post faced such a scenario, with a narrow geographic reach forcing its Board to make a difficult decision as to what the future would be. In 2015, with support of SAME National, the Post elected to expand its regional coverage and its areas of impact, reinventing as the Mid-Maryland Post. The years following have seen a resurgence of membership, engagement, and interest.
Continue reading at Bricks & Clicks...
SAME at 100: Inspiring Public Works, 1933
 Great strides in industrial capabilities during the Great War meant a wealth of knowledge and progress in the engineering community. For instance, following the devastating Mississippi flood of 1927, the longest system of levees and floodways would be built by the Corps of Engineers, the lessons detailed in The Military Engineer. As SAME members shared knowledge and best practices, the possibilities for what could be achieved climbed higher. Major public works projects like the San Francisco Bay Bridge and Hoover Dam, which would have been unthinkable only years before, began to take shape, fueled by this new potential for collaboration.
Continue reading at Bricks & Clicks...
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Looking for More Great Content?
Check out the July-August 2020 issue of The Military Engineer, featuring articles on Water Planning & Management and a look at marine archaeological work in Bikini Atoll decades after atomic testing, and also see the Foundation Founding Donors.
Read the latest issue of Diversity in Action: Advancing STEM Professionals and Students. View the magazine online at www.diversityinaction.net.
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FROM THE HISTORY VAULT
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From 1980: SAME Moves into Century House
In 1980, SAME purchased a new building to serve as the National Office for the Society, in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. Today, SAME is readying to move down the road to a new address, the Washington Engineering Center, which is owned and operated by the National Society of Professional Engineers and also includes MATHCOUNTS as a co-tenant. The location is closer to Metro, is a more modern and collaborative workspace, and will position the National Office to support SAME members and the organization's needs for years to come. The time is right to move.
New SAME Address
Society of American Military Engineers
1420 King Street, Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22314
Leaving Century House is no doubt bittersweet though. Constructed likely sometime in the 1840s, the building has been SAME's home for 40 years. Hundreds of leaders have passed through its doors over the years, names and faces well told by history. As we look ahead to the Society's next century of service, we bid a fond farewell to our place of business for four decades of SAME's first century—and thank all those who contributed, both financially and through time and effort, to make owning Century House a reality. The asset will continue to support SAME in the coming years and pay forward the investment 40 years ago in a place to call home.
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Who's Ready for Virtual SBC!
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
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Here's five things you might have missed recently in Real TiME.
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