Return from Saddlebrook!
2007 Chair/Vice Chair-Elect Seminar

We had another successful Chair Elect Seminar at the Saddlebrook Resort in Florida this year, with the honor of having all of our sixteen active Sections represented by their incoming Chairs/Vice Chairs, and twenty-one Student Officers. Words cannot describe our appreciation for the dedication we received from our leaders, who took time out of their busy schedules and traveled to participate in and make this event a success.

Chair Elect Seminar in process

The Student Members kicked off their event Friday afternoon with a presentation on the value of SNAME membership, and then joined National Leadership for a cocktail hour and reception.

Student Officers who attended the seminar

Each of the incoming officers, including the students, were asked in advance to present the very best idea for their Section at our “BEST IDEAS” dinner. These ideas were compiled and distributed to each incoming officer as they presented their best idea, to be used as a resource during their term in office.

The Seminar continued on Saturday, setting the stage for the first ever SNAME Voyage. The crews were reminded of the fundamental principles that every voyage needs to follow (know where you are and know your destination). “There will always be changes, but if you have a plan, it will work”.

Section Officers and Student Officers were divided into their appropriate Regions, led by their Regional Vice Presidents. Each Region was sent on a voyage to develop a plan for each of the Sections, and to find answers visit a number of “ports” which represented various areas of SNAME. The Atlantic South Region and the Pacific Region tied for the win. Congratulations!

Voyage Teams

SS Blowdown

The Black Pearl

N/V Ambiguous

Presentations were provided on Membership and the new Professional Liability Insurance (errors and omissions) that will be provided to SNAME Members as a benefit (see article below). Other presentations included the Operation of Sections, Finances, Outreach to high school students, the Strategic Plan, SNAME scholarships and the SNAME Technical and Research Program. We are grateful to all who presented for being there and provided our incoming officers with beneficial knowledge.

The traditional volleyball game was a great way to end a very successful day.

Project Outreach - SEAPerch

There are many ways in which SNAME Members can get involved in Outreach. One exciting new initiative has begun through the Office of Naval Research, and SNAME is participating. The SEAPerch program introduces pre-college students to the wonders of underwater robotics. Part of the Office of Naval Research's initiative, "Recruiting the Next Generation of Naval Architects," this program teaches students how to build an underwater robot (called a SEAPerch), how to build a propulsion system, how to develop a controller, and how to investigate weight and buoyancy. This endeavor is one of many exciting new projects funded by the Office of Naval Research as part of its National Naval Responsibility in Naval Engineering Initiative. The initiative focuses on bringing academia, government and industry to work together to ensure that the talent needed to design the Navy's next generation of ships and submarines will be there when needed.

The SEAPerch program trains teachers, mentors and potential trainers how to build the remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), which are made with PVC pipe. This project teaches basic skills in ship and submarine design and encourages students to explore naval architecture and marine and ocean engineering concepts independently. The SEAPerch program can easily be turned into a multidisciplinary venture. For instance, by incorporating novels that focus on ocean exploration, focusing on ship and submarine technology throughout history, and studying the math and physics involved in ocean exploration, teachers can develop extensive, in-depth programs for their classes.

This effort is one for which SNAME Members could lend their expertise in an important way. Several teachers who are interested in the program have contacted SNAME to ask for assistance in building the vehicles with the students. This is a great opportunity for individual SNAME Members and Sections to get involved.

To help with this exciting new initiative, contact Susan Giver, Marketing and Communications Director, SNAME,
at 717-944-0497 or sgiver@sname.org.

To learn more about the SEAPerch program, or for manuals and online resources,
please click here.