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In This Issue...
- New Website and Member Database
- From the Vault: President's Message from 1998
- Upcoming Events & Regional Meetings
- CalGeo Welcomes New Members
New Website and Member Database
By now, if you are on our mailing list, you should have received an e-mail inviting you to check out our new website and set-up your member profile on our site. Even non-members may participate with a login although they may experience some limited accessibility to areas of the site. Through your profile, you can keep your information up-to-date as well as access invoices and registrations for events, communicate with other members through discussion forums and even create your own topics for discussion. As we roll out this new system, please let us know if we have any old or duplicate e-mails and we can easily remove them. Please e-mail: [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
Quick Links:
Member Portal/Profile
Forgot Username?
Forgot Password?
Job Board - View Postings
Don't forget to update your records with our new address:
1048 Irvine Ave. #994, Newport Beach, CA 92660 Tel: (949) 391-2GEO (2436)
From the Vault: President's Message from 1998
During the moving process, we dug through the CalGeo storage unit and found a stack of old Geograms, the CGEA newsletter from back in the day. This was the president's message from October 1998, by Henry F. Kling:
 We are almost to the end of the century, and yet I still hear the familiar complaint engineers and geologists have been muttering under their breaths for decades. While the laments may vary, they could be summed up by the words made famous by entertainer Rodney Dangerfield, as he would play with his necktie: "I get no respect." No respect. Does that resonate within you like a major triad chord on a musical instrument?
If you answered yes, then don't feel lonely. I recently read an artical from an engineering society publication that focused on this very issue: recognition of the professional engineer in society. An officer of the organization, fed up with the inferior image of his chosen profession, was spearheading this effor. So why is our image as geotechnical engineers and geologists so plebeian, or more accurately, so invisible?
At our recent annual conference in Tuscon, AZ, Mr. Jerry Diaz, a principal of Diaz-Yourman & Associates, did something that required a lot of courage. Mr. Diaz politely requested to address the group. And, in a heartfelt and compelling manner, he implored us (professional engineers and geologists), to start acting like professionals. The issue of "bidding" professional services was his central theme. We all know about our private and public clients soliciting "bids." And, as business entities, we often, even if reluctantly, respond to these solicitations in fear of not gaining work. Although Mr. Diaz understands this situation all too well, he suggested that we at least make an effort to communicate the pitfalls fo bidding professional services to our clients. We should make our clients comprehend that perennially shopping for the "low bid" might save a few nickles up front, but could potentially cost dollars later on in terms of excessive construction costs that stem from conservative assumptions, or worse, project failure from inadequate exploration and analysis. The client assumes that if our proposed scope of work is inadequate for whatever reason, it is our problem, not theirs. While this attitude is, at best, short sighted, it is a view held my many client project managers.
Let's start educating our clients about the benefits of the qualification-based selection (QBS) and the limitations and pitfalls, especially the financial impacts of bidding our services as if a contractor.
Jerry also extolled us to start acting more like professionals. I believe that one of the reasons that we don't muster more respect from our clients is because we don't always express a measure of respect in regard or in reference to oru own colleagues. The clients would logically assume that since we don't respect each other, and frankly, sometimes even ourselves, why should they respect us? The time to break this self-defeating practice is now. At the next opportunity, speak respectfully of our peers in front of our clients. Lets hold our heads high and prooud rather than hunched over like galley slaves.
I pray I haven't offended anyone. However, in attempting to follow Mr. Diaz's courageous lead, I am hopeful these words will stimulate your thoughts and your passion. Let me know what you think about our image and position in society as geotechnical consultants. What are your ideas and suggestions? How can CalGeo be of help?
Follow this topic more in our Discussion Forum!
Upcoming Events
Mark you calendars for these upcoming events, or download Outlook and iCal events through our new calendar.
Student Networking Events:
 UCLA CalGeo Student Chapter Fall Networking BBQ - November 3, 4-7pm
UCSD CalGeo Student Chapter Fall Networking BBQ - November 4, 1-5pm
South Coast Geological Society Annual Poster Session - December 4th, 7pm Dave & Busters, Orange, CA. Abstract Deadline November 27th, 5pm.
CalGeo Regional Meetings:
 Challenges in Open Pit Mine Geotechnical Engineering presented by: Dr. David Nutakor
SoCal Dinner Meeting - November 14, 6pm Maggiano's Costa Mesa, CA. Registration DEADLINE NOVEMBER 10!!
Cost: $45/members, $60/non-members, $20/students. Advance on-line registration required.
Thank you to our Affiliate sponsors for providing reception drinks:
  
CalGeo Loss Prevention Seminars:
SoCal Loss Prevention Seminar - January 20, 2018, Santa Ana, CA
NorCal Loss Prevention Seminar - February 10, 2018, Fairfield, CA
Warm Welcome to our New Members!
CalGeo is pleased to announce a number of new members for 2017/2018. Lets give them a warm welcome and encourage them to join us at events and perhaps even a committee or two! Click on the logos below to visit their website.
Member Organizations:
  
Individual Members:
Eduardo Hernandez, Project X Corrosion Engineering
Lorena Manriquez
Affiliate Organizations:
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