The President's Message

Can you believe it’s almost November?! Sometimes I feel like I blink and an entire season is gone. I still remember when time moved like a slug and my parents would warn me about how fast it goes the older you get. If you happen to run into my folks, tell them they were right (since I’ll never admit it myself!!).

Before I get into the excitement of our upcoming November meeting, I want to say a quick word about the October meeting. If you missed the meeting, you missed a real treat in the form of an outstanding presentation by William Coad (2001-2002 Society President) on the “Ethics and Reality of Energy Considerations in Engineering Design.” Mr. Coad challenged our industry to stop doing what we’ve always done and start doing what we ought to do in design, construction, and operation of commercial buildings today.

A timely encore to William Coad’s topic in the October meeting is the much anticipated address by current Society President Bill Harrison at our November Chapter meeting. Mr. Harrison will present his “Maintain to Sustain” address that delivers on ASHRAE’s sustainability promise. This address is all about making changes in our industry to keep our “green” efforts from fading after the engineers and contractors walk away from a completed project. This effort extends far beyond design and construction and affects building operations and maintenance. We, as an industry, need to raise understanding and concern for long-term equipment and system efficiency to ensure the positive impact that we strive for in our design efforts. I would encourage all of our members to NOT miss this next meeting. It’s sure to be encouraging, influential, and inspiring. I would also encourage you to invite building owners, operators, and maintenance personnel to attend with you. This address is for all of us.

One other note – equally timely to November’s presentation subject is the announcement of a new group that has formed here in Kansas City called the Built Environment Collaborative (BEC). This group exists for the very reason of bridging the gaps between all parties involved with the built environment. ASHRAE is part of this group, and Jim Noe is our chapter liaison. Jim has an informative article later in this newsletter that provides more details of the BEC group and its objectives. This is proof positive that our Chapter is on the right track and staying aligned with Society’s goals of industry-wide awareness and concern for energy efficiency.

I’ll leave you with a simple quote. I am not sure who said it first, but it fits the subject. The quote is this – “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.” As we go about our day-to-day working lives, let us put that into practice. With that, I shall leave you. I will see ALL of you on November 3rd!

Sincerely,
Jeffrey Ewens

Upcoming Events

12/8/2008

5:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Kansas City ASHRAE Meeting

Holiday Inn

Not Getting The Chapter Newsletter?

Do you know a local ASHRAE member that is not getting a copy of the KC Chapter newsletter? Has the member recently graduated, changed companies, or changed e-mail addresses? Help them out and give them the following information. If the “lost member” is a paid ASHRAE member, they should be on the chapter roster and email lists that are maintained by Jerri Brewer. Jerri keeps the mailing list updated for all emails for the local chapter. The “lost member” should contact Jerri at jerri.brewer@hei-eng.com to update their contact information. This is the only way to get all of the chapter newsletters, including emails and announcements concerning ASHRAE that are sent out by Jerri to the Kansas City Chapter members throughout the year. But, you are not done yet! Go to the ASHRAE national website and update all information at the national level. Members will not receive the ASHRAE Journal, renewal notices, and other important information if their contact information is not correct at the national level. Go to the ASHRAE website and update member information at the link below. You will need your membership number and PIN from your membership card to login.

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