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December e.Geo

 

December 2018




In this issue:

  1. Its holiday party time. Do's & Don'ts of the "Office Party"
  2. Holiday Social Events
  3. Outstanding Project Awards - get recognized!
  4. Loss Prevention Seminars
  5. Free Webinar: UAS LiDAR
  6. See you in San Diego - Conference Program released
  7. Membership campaign: Almost there!
  8. Welcome our newest members
  9. Upcoming events: The all-encompassing Geo-Calendar

Its Holiday Party time - Do's and Don'ts of the "Office Party"

How to Network, Impress, and Still Have Fun at Your Office Holiday Party by Elizabeth Alterman

Do: Show up

It’s a great chance to build relationships and goodwill with your co-workers—or, if you’re hoping to make a move within the organization in the new year, the perfect chance to introduce yourself to the team you’re hoping to join.

Don't: Ignore the dress code

“Tuck away your tux unless the invitation says black tie, and if it does, don’t show up in slacks and a blazer,” she says. “Think carefully about what you’re going to wear. If you stand out like a sore thumb, you’re not going to be comfortable and you’re also going to look like you didn’t get the memo.”

Do: Engage everyone, even the people you don't know

Company holiday parties usually aren’t only for employees—you’ll likely be meeting quite a few new faces, including your colleagues’ spouses and friends.

Even if you may never see these people ever again (unlike your co-workers, who you’ll see the next day), it’s important to treat them with respect, RoAne says. Chances are, they may not know anyone else at the gathering, and making them feel welcome and included is the polite thing to do.

Don't: Be distracted by technology

Detach from techie toys, including smartphones and tablets, and refrain from texting, emailing, status updating, or tweeting while you’re talking to people, RoAne advises. Otherwise, you’ll miss out on opportunities to learn more about your colleagues, and many may view your behavior as rude or self-involved.

Do: Stick to a two drink maximum

While this pops up on nearly every holiday do and don’t list, it bears repeating, notes RoAne, cautioning that if you have too many of those free-flowing cocktails, you’ll probably pay for it later.

Don't: Arrive empty handed

Let’s say the party is at your boss’ home. You’ll want to bring a token of appreciation for the invitation and his or her hospitality at this busy time of year.

Read the full article @ TheMuse.com


Holiday social events

Mark you calendars for these two fun SoCal & NorCal holiday events.

December 6: ASCE Geo-Institute Orange County Holiday Bowling Social @ Irvine Lanes, Irvine. $30/pp for bowling, food & drinks.

December 6: AEG/GRA Holiday Mixer, Raffle & Dinner Presentation. If you missed Chris Doolittle's talk to CalGeo earlier this year on Monticito Mudslides - check him out again! @ Old Spagetti Factory, Sacramento

December 11: EERI San Diego Chapter Dinner Meeting on Earthquake Insurance @ Faculty-Staff Club, San Diego State University

December 19: CalGeo Emerging Professional Holiday Social @ The Fox & Goose, Sacramento. Its FREE! Bring your colleague and come and meet the gang. Includes appetizers and prizes raffles. RSVP by Dec. 17th to get a free drink ticket!


Outstanding Project Awards - get recognized!

You've put in all the hard work this year completing an amazing project - why not #humblebrag a little by submitting it for CalGeo's Outstanding Project Award. Members and non-members are invited to apply under a wide range of categories including:

Large, Medium & Small budget, Private Projects

Large, Medium & Small budget, Public Projects

Each year at our Annual Conference, CalGeo puts the spotlight on the best geotechnical projects in the state with our Outstanding Project Awards. A panel of peers selects the year's finest work in a number of categories, providing winners with a powerful new marketing message, and everyone with the opportunity to learn from exciting, innovative approaches to challenging situations.

Mark Your Calendars

The 2019 CalGeo Annual Conference will be held April 10-12, 2019 at the Kona Kai Resort on Shelter Island, San Diego, CA. The Outstanding Project Awards luncheon will take place the final afternoon, Friday April 12, 2019.

Call for Entries

Download the entry forms below. The deadline for Outstanding Project Award Entries is January 30, 2019. A fee of $100/members and $300/non-members is required for each entry. Firms/individuals may submit multiple entries but will only be awarded a maximum of one award.

DOWNLOAD SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

SUBMIT APPLICATION ON-LINE

*Please note: Our application form & fee payment is available online at the link above. You may still submit a paper copy application if you wish with a check payment by downloading the PDF (Submission requirements).

If you win...

  • Receive a beautiful award to display prominently in your office
  • Present your project to the CalGeo conference attendees during the awards luncheon
  • Recognition and an article in the e.Geo in late spring/early summer
  • Marketing opportunity about your award for your website, social media, newsletters and clients

Loss Prevention Seminars: Registration Open

We are updating the program daily but have opened registration for our popular Loss Prevention Seminars.

These seminars are designed for:

  • Field staff
  • New hires
  • Inspectors
  • Technicians
  • Anyone interested in brushing up on their safety, liability, and knowledge of new technology.

Each seminar provides 4 PDH/CEU's! Click the links on the date above for more information on the speakers and topics.

**Locations have changed this year**

January 26: Southern California - Courtyard Marriott, Santa Ana (still off the 55 but one exit down @ MacArthur)

February 9: Northern California - Hilton Garden Inn, Fairfield

Program:

7:30am Breakfast & Registration

8:00am Introduction & Welcome

Session 1: Rammed Aggregate Pier Installation & Quality Control, Aaron Bishop or Adam Killinger, Western Ground Improvement/GeoPier

This presentation will focus on the quality control aspects of rammed aggregate piers.  Theory and application will be discussed for context.

Session 2: Pre-Task Planning, Matt Boos, Terracon

Pre-Task Planning is the process of examining all hazards prior to starting work.   These usually start with a Job Hazard Analysis or Job Safety Analysis or Tool Box Talk, I apply the common sense approach so that everyone is a participant in the review and is encouraged to say something if they see something.

It centers around active listening and situational awareness.  Everyone brings something to the table and shares. 

Session 3: Communication in the Construction Environment, Eric Swenson, Geo-Engineering Solutions

Session 4: Expert witness & case histories on liability, Gerry Jacobsen

12:00pm Conclusion, survey collection and PDH/CEU certificates

Cost:

$150 Members, Save $20 by registering before the end of 2018!

$225 Non-Members

Seminar includes: full breakfast (extra bacon will be available!) and parking at the hotel.

Sponsorships still available! Click the date above to register and select "Sponsor"

Sponsorship includes opportunity to speak to attendees for 5-10mins about your product or service and a table-top exhibit booth at the event. Also includes logo placement and advertisement in all e.Geo announcements and marketing materials.


Free Webinar: Applying UAS LiDAR To Geotechnical Engineering Projects To Save Time and Costs

Tuesday December 11th, 12:00 - 1:00pm Pacific Time

Presented by Dustin Gaessner, Dudek

This webinar will discuss UAS LiDAR technology and how it can be applied to geotechnical engineering projects such as dam inspection/maintenance, topographic mapping, and stream surveys. The webinar will also discuss the strengths and limitations of photogrammetry and LiDAR, along with specific case studies for geotechnical engineering firms.

The Dudek unmanned aircraft system (UAS) Services team has mapped 700,000+ acres since 2016, building a streamlined and accomplished drone program that provides services to engineering firms and land surveyors across the United States.

This webinar is free and registration is conducted through GoToWebinar. Click the link below to register and receive an e-mail with a link to join the webinar.

Register Now


See you in San Diego

Download our Conference Brochure to get all the details on topics and speakers! Keep your eyes on your mail as we'll be sending out conference flyers and postcards shortly. Please distribute these around your office to make sure everyone is "in the know".

Thinking of attending our Annual Conference April 10-12, 2019? Here are a couple reasons why you shouldn't miss it:

  • Great hotel and location - make it a getaway! No more Saturday sessions lets you enjoy San Diego for the weekend.
  • Everything's included: 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Reception style dinners and 1 Banquet dinner. We don't nickle and dime you for tickets to everything.
  • We're growing: Out membership is growing and so is attendance at our events.
  • Quality key-note speakers: We are bringing in knowledgeable speakers to cover the topics California's Geotechnical Engineers want. All speakers get an hour to dive deeper into their topic.
  • Mix and mingle: Enjoy great food and drinks and network with suppliers, peers and students. Groom your new hires from our talented student chapter attendees. Plus we're a fun group!
  • Short courses: Send some staff members to the short courses April 9th and 10th to invest in their knowledge and training. Or attend them yourself and make the trip worth your time and money. Limited space: THESE WILL SELL OUT!

Don't forget to submit your project for our Outstanding Project Awards and get recognized by your peers - not to mention a cool award to display in your office.

Sponsorships available!

Important Dates:

December 3, 2019: Conference program is released. Registration for conference and short courses open.

January 31, 2019: Deadline to submit application for our Outstanding Project Award - more details coming soon!

February 10, 2019: Early-bird registration deadline - savings on short courses and registration!

March 18, 2018: Deadline to book your hotel room at the Kona Kai Resort. Late registration fees for conference go into effect.

Download our Conference Brochure to get all the details on topics and speakers!


Membership Campaign: Almost there!

We are hoping to add 10 new members before the end of the year and have already gotten half way there. Can you help us close out the year with 5 more members?

Refer a new company (either Affiliate or Geotech) and get some CalGeo swag and discounts!

If your referral joins before the Annual Conference you get:

  • $300 towards our Annual Conference or short courses this April in San Diego!
  • $25 Starbucks card
  • Plus we'll throw in a cool new CalGeo golf polo too.

E-mail Kelly Cabal with your referral today


Welcome CalGeo's Newest Members

Our new membership campaign has kicked off and we're getting lots of inquiries. Please refer a colleague today to get your $300 conference discount, starbucks card and free CalGeo polo shirt!

Please welcome our newest organizational members:

  (dba Cal West Geotechnical)


Upcoming Events - The Geo-Calendar

Please note: There will be no November Emerging Professional Meeting due to Thanksgiving

Quick Browse: SoCal events in ORANGE, NorCal events in GREEN

Dec. 6: ASCE-OC Geo Institute Annual holiday bowling social, Irvine

Dec. 6: AEG/GRA Holiday Mixer, Raffle & Dinner Presentation. If you missed Chris Doolittle's talk to CalGeo earlier this year on Monticito Mudslides - check him out again! @ Old Spagetti Factory, Sacramento

Dec. 11: EERI San Diego Chapter Dinner Meeting on Earthquake Insurance @ Faculty-Staff Club, San Diego State University

Dec. 11: Free Webinar on Applying UAS LiDAR To Geotechnical Engineering Projects To Save Time and Costs

Dec. 19: Emerging Professionals Holiday Social @ The Fox & Goose Pub, Sacramento FREE ADMISSION - bring a colleague or spouse!

Jan. 26, 2019: SoCal Loss Prevention Seminar - get your technician & field staff trained and earn CEU's, Santa Ana

Jan. 30, 2019: Deadline for Outstanding Project Award Submittal

Feb. 9, 2019: NorCal Loss Prevention Seminar, Fairfield

Feb. 10, 2019: Deadline for early-bird registration for CalGeo's Annual Conference

Feb. 22, 2019: Ray Taber Foundation Annual Drill Seminar, Taber Ranch, Capay Valley (Presented by the Ray Taber Foundation, AEG & CalGeo)