Open Committee Chair Positions

Updated 1.11.10

Are you interested in becoming involved in SWE or are just looking for an outlet to make some friends in the area? Volunteer to be a committee chair or co-chair. The committees we have divided into co-chair positions split the work between two people and you can focus on the immediate area you live in to plan events. Our open committee are below, please contact leadership@swe-bws.org if you are interested in more information or want to volunteer.

• Collegiate Section Liaison Chair
• K-12 Outreach Chair
• Programs/Membership Meetings Co-Chairs
• Networking Lunches Co-Chairs
• Social Events Co-Chairs
• Seminars Chair

Collegiate Section Chair –

Looking for an enthusiastic member who wants to be the liaison between the Professional Section (BWS) and the collegiate sections. We have 10 local universities and colleges that fall under SWE BWS.

Estimated time per month: 4 hours

(VP Career Guidance) – This position coordinates communication between BWS-area student sections and SWE-BWS. The liaison ensures that all area schools are aware of SWE-BWS activities, promotes networking amongst the area’s student sections, and assists with SWE questions that may arise.

K-12 Student Outreach Chair –

Looking for one or two members (a MD and VA member) to be the liaison between the Professional SWE Section and local gradeshools, middle schools and high schools. This person is responsible for coordinating events with groups that are ages K-12 and for connecting SWE BWS with local highschools.

Estimated time per month: 5 hours

(VP Career Guidance) – This position coordinates site visits with local schools by BWS members.  The visit is usually for a class or group, and incorporates speaking about engineering as well as a hands-on activity with the students.  An outreach kit is available for use by those volunteering.

Programs/Membership Meetings -

Looking for a Central MD and a Northern VA member to co-chair and cover the whole membership area. You will be the POC for coordination - it will not be your responsibility to always coordinate speakers, locations and topics, but you will be the focal point.

Estimated time per month: 5 hours

 (VP Professional Development) – The Programs Committee coordinates the monthly membership meetings.  The format of the meetings can be individual speakers or panel discussions, and include joint events with other engineering societies.  Two co-chairs of this committee are needed: one for VA/DC and one for MD.  The co-chairs create the meeting notice as well as oversee the speaker and location selection, meeting cost, and collection of RSVPs.  Committee members can participate in the following ways:
•    Be a speaker coordinator for one of our monthly meetings
•    Be a location coordinator for one of our monthly meeting
•    Work with your employer to host or sponsor a meeting
•    Collect the RSVPs for a meeting
•    Help at the registration table at a meeting

Networking Lunches -

Looking for a Central MD and a Northern VA members to co-chair and cover the whole membership area: The networking lunches chair is the POC for members in their geographic area for coordinating networking lunches. Any member can host a networking lunch, it is their responsibility to contact the networking lunches chair and make sure it gets put onto the section calendar.

Estimated time per month: 2 hours
 (VP Professional Development) - The Regional Networking Lunches coordinator focuses on organizing collective gatherings situated at the varying regions within the Metro area and those that focus on topics that help SWE members draw from the experiences of other members.  These are informal gatherings where members gather to network with each other, exchange ideas, get industry advice, and share experiences. They are held at locations throughout the SWE-BWS membership area.  These events include lunches and evening get-togethers.

Social Events -

Looking for a Central MD member to co-chair with the NOVA chair. This person will coordinate social events in the central MD, Baltimore and/or silverspring areas. These can be monthly networking dinners, happy  hours, movies, or anything else of a social nature. It is up to the committee chairs what events they coordinate.

Estimated time per month: 4 hours

 (VP Professional Development) - The Regional Social Events coordinator focuses on organizing collective gatherings situated at the varying regions within the Metro area and those that focus on meeting SWE members in a social atmosphere.  These are informal gatherings where members gather to network with each other, learn more about each other. They are held at locations throughout the SWE-BWS membership area.  These events include evening or weekend get-togethers and family events such as picnics, plays, tours, and seasonal gatherings.

Seminars -

(VP Professional Development) – The Seminar coordinator focuses on organizing the half-day seminar(s).  The format of the seminars can be individual speakers or panel discussions, and include collaboration with other societies on a joint event.  The coordinator is responsible for creating the seminar notice as well as overseeing the speaker(s) and location selection, seminar cost, and collection of RSVPs.  Additional members can be added to this activity if desired by the coordinator, and can assist with the following:
•    Be a speaker coordinator
•    Be a location coordinator
•    Work with your employer to host or sponsor the seminar
•    Collect the RSVPs
•    Help at the registration table