2010 Chairman’s Message
The year has started out on a fast pace and we are well on our way to another successful year. Chesapeake Section is doing great things in 2010 and I hope you are taking full advantage of all that SNAME has to offer:
- Excellent technical meetings on a regular basis,
- An exciting Young Professionals group that meets regularly for social, educational, and volunteer activities,
- Timely information regarding SNAME and other events of interest,
- Opportunities to address interesting technical topics as part of Panels or Committees in your area of expertise,
- Access to data and resources via SNAME’s new web2.0 infrastructure, and more!
This year, we are enjoying the advantages offered through our new web2.0 capabilities. The Chesapeake Section has provided leadership in the use of the new system and our next initiative will be led by Mr. Gil Romano, our new Online Advocate. Mr. Romano will be organizing an effort to educate our membership regarding the features of the new system. You can expect to be contacted by him or others in the near future.
As the year progresses you will see us experiment with different meeting locations in a continuing effort to provide value to our members. Prices are going up at our current venues and we are looking for more fiscally sensible solutions. Your suggestions are welcome. Please send ideas to Ms. Jennifer Lin, along with your thanks for her hard work as Meetings Chair. Please send presentation topic ideas to Mr. Jonathan Slutsky and thank him for his support as Technical Program Chair. If you would like to volunteer, contact me or an Executive Committee member.
With summer drawing near, we will be holding meetings in Annapolis, the US Coast Guard Yard, and scheduling a summer event that is more family oriented. On the horizon, we have plans for a mini-symposium workshop on the topic of corrosion that will be jointly hosted in October by the Chesapeake Section, Hampton Roads Section, Ship Structures Committee, and NACE. This workshop will have an important technical program and include lunch and dinner.
Whether you are a member of the Executive Committee, participate in a Panel or Committee, plan or attend symposia and conferences, attend local meetings, or participate in other ways, your efforts are what makes SNAME a success. At whatever level you participate, I urge you to try something new and see how SNAME can benefit you and how you can contribute to the SNAME community.
Lastly, I would like to close with my sincere thanks to Gibbs & Cox, Co. and Herbert Engineering Co. These two companies have promised major contributions to support the work of the Chesapeake Section, its Young Professionals, and Student Sections. We all benefit from their generosity and I am very grateful. I also appreciate the support from the employees of these organizations. If your organization would like to support the Chesapeake Section, our Young Professionals, and our Student Sections with a financial gift, please contact me at your convenience.
Sincerely,
David A. Helgerson
SNAME Chesapeake Section Chair, '09-'10