Past 2018-2019 Events
View all of Western Michigan SWE's events on our online calendar! Or subscribe to our feed with Outlook, iCal, etc.
June 2019: Manufacturing Facility Tour
What:
Lunch and Manufacturing facility tour
Viant Medical
www.viantmedical.com
When:
Friday, June 28, 2019
12-2 PM (check in 1145-12)
Lunch and Manufacturing facility tour
Viant Medical
www.viantmedical.com
When:
Friday, June 28, 2019
12-2 PM (check in 1145-12)
Where:
620 Watson Street SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Who:
Grand Rapids SWE Members, including
GVSU, Calvin College, Ferris State, and Hope College SWE Members
Space is limited, so this event is open only to SWE members at this time. Guests / nonmembers will be added to wait list and notified if space becomes available.
Cost:
$10 for professional members / no cost for collegiate members
Cash preferred. Pay at the event.
Note:
Closed toe shoes required.
Safety glasses required, loaners available upon request. Please mention with RSVP.
Makeup and rings must be removed for the tour.
RSVP:
Contact Kathy Joseph by June 21, 2019 to attend this event.
katherine.joseph@ymail.com
April 2019
Joint Meeting with SC Mi SWE in Plainwell, MI
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Thursday, April 18, 2019 5 - 7:30 PM Four Roses Cafe in Plainwell |
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Join us mid-April for a joint meeting with the SouthCentral Michigan SWE section. This panel discussion on mentoring will be hosted at the same location as previous years. SWE members may remember the Four Roses' amazing and plentiful desserts - voted best desserts in Michigan!
Location:
Four Roses Cafe
663 N 10th St.
Plainwell, MI 49080
Carpooling will be available.
RSVP:
Kate Cicchino
Kate.Cicchino@beumergroup.com
Have you ever wondered if you need a mentor? Or how to identify a good mentor/mentee? Once you get a relationship established, what are the rules of engagement? How do you make it feel natural? How long is a mentoring relationship? How do you back out of the relationship, tactfully, if it's not going well?
Have you ever had these questions as you build and maintain your network? Come and hear from experienced mentors and mentees on what has made their relationships successful, as well as things they've learned along the way that have been detrimental.
Join us for an evening of networking with fellow SWE members while learning how to build and develop your network in an authentic yet strategic way.
Heavy apps and dessert will be provided.
Please join us and bring a friend!
Location:
Four Roses Cafe
663 N 10th St.
Plainwell, MI 49080
Carpooling will be available.
RSVP:
Kate Cicchino
Kate.Cicchino@beumergroup.com
Have you ever wondered if you need a mentor? Or how to identify a good mentor/mentee? Once you get a relationship established, what are the rules of engagement? How do you make it feel natural? How long is a mentoring relationship? How do you back out of the relationship, tactfully, if it's not going well?
Have you ever had these questions as you build and maintain your network? Come and hear from experienced mentors and mentees on what has made their relationships successful, as well as things they've learned along the way that have been detrimental.
Join us for an evening of networking with fellow SWE members while learning how to build and develop your network in an authentic yet strategic way.
Heavy apps and dessert will be provided.
Please join us and bring a friend!
April 3, 2019
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Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Time: 5:30 Dinner, 6-7 PM Training Class
Cost: $10 for Dinner and Event
(No cost for collegiate members)
Location: Downtown GVSU Campus
Instructor: Trooper Hemingway from Rockford MI State Police Post.
RSVP: By Tues April 2, 6 PM to Kathy Joseph katherine.joseph@ymail.com
Joint meeting for members and friends of Grand Rapids SWE, GVSU SWE and Calvin College SWE
Time: 5:30 Dinner, 6-7 PM Training Class
Cost: $10 for Dinner and Event
(No cost for collegiate members)
Location: Downtown GVSU Campus
Instructor: Trooper Hemingway from Rockford MI State Police Post.
RSVP: By Tues April 2, 6 PM to Kathy Joseph katherine.joseph@ymail.com
Joint meeting for members and friends of Grand Rapids SWE, GVSU SWE and Calvin College SWE
WE Local
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Kathy Joseph, FY19 Secretary, attended from Grand Rapids SWE
Connections with friends, past leaders and some new networking opportunities as well as great sessions about Confidence, US Food Insecurity, Recruiting Millennials, Personal Finance, SWE Section Finances and many others. Also learned about KIWI boxes and a fun 1-minute inspiration from Jessica's Morning Affirmation on YouTube.
Connections with friends, past leaders and some new networking opportunities as well as great sessions about Confidence, US Food Insecurity, Recruiting Millennials, Personal Finance, SWE Section Finances and many others. Also learned about KIWI boxes and a fun 1-minute inspiration from Jessica's Morning Affirmation on YouTube.
WE Local
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February 2019
Celebrate E-Week with us!
www.discovere.org/our-programs/engineers-weekWhat: Middle Schooler Outreach / Hamburger Assembly Line Simulation
Where: Grand Rapids Public Museum
When: 930 am - 330 pm Wed, Feb 13, 2019
8am - 215 pm Thurs, Feb 14, 2019
Cost: None. Parking and lunch provided
RSVP: Jocelyne Denhof
jrdenhof@mtu.edu
Engineers Week, or E-Week, is February 17-23, 2019. This is a week-long celebration of how engineers make a difference in our world and an effort to raise awareness of the engineering profession. http://www.discovere.org/our-programs/engineers-week
Grand Rapids SWE will be celebrating at the Grand Rapids Public Museum on February 13 and February 14, 2019.This is a fun volunteer opportunity! SWE will help kids experience assembly line processing as Henry Ford discovered it, in a fun hands-on workshop using hamburgers and fries (made of cloth).
SWE will be staffing three two-hour shifts on Wednesday, when we will work with kids between 9:30am and 3:30pm. On Thursday, the program runs 8am until 2:05pm, with six 45-minute sessions.
Volunteers will receive vouchers for parking and lunch.
Additional details will be provided for confirmed volunteers. Hope you can join us to reach out to the next generation!
Contact Jocelyne Denhof on the GR SWE Outreach Committee for more information or to sign up for a shift jrdenhof@mtu.edu .
Where: Grand Rapids Public Museum
When: 930 am - 330 pm Wed, Feb 13, 2019
8am - 215 pm Thurs, Feb 14, 2019
Cost: None. Parking and lunch provided
RSVP: Jocelyne Denhof
jrdenhof@mtu.edu
Engineers Week, or E-Week, is February 17-23, 2019. This is a week-long celebration of how engineers make a difference in our world and an effort to raise awareness of the engineering profession. http://www.discovere.org/our-programs/engineers-week
Grand Rapids SWE will be celebrating at the Grand Rapids Public Museum on February 13 and February 14, 2019.This is a fun volunteer opportunity! SWE will help kids experience assembly line processing as Henry Ford discovered it, in a fun hands-on workshop using hamburgers and fries (made of cloth).
SWE will be staffing three two-hour shifts on Wednesday, when we will work with kids between 9:30am and 3:30pm. On Thursday, the program runs 8am until 2:05pm, with six 45-minute sessions.
Volunteers will receive vouchers for parking and lunch.
Additional details will be provided for confirmed volunteers. Hope you can join us to reach out to the next generation!
Contact Jocelyne Denhof on the GR SWE Outreach Committee for more information or to sign up for a shift jrdenhof@mtu.edu .
WE Local Baltimore
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Jocelyne Denhof , FY19 Outreach Committee Co-Chair
attended from Grand Rapids SWE
Jocelyne also volunteered as part of the Local Host Committee for this event!
attended from Grand Rapids SWE
Jocelyne also volunteered as part of the Local Host Committee for this event!
January 2019
Wine & Webinar
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RESCHEDULED to Tuesday, February 5, 2019 7-8:30pm Amy Zeboor's House, Rockford, MI Bring either a dessert or a bottle of wine RSVP to Kathy Joseph by Thursday, Jan 31 for the new date. Include SWE Webinar in the subject line. |
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Frienemies: The Brain Science Behind the Dynamic Cooperative / Competitive World of Women's Leadership
Come relax and learn with West Michigan SWE on Tuesday, January 29th from 7-8:30pm! We’ll be watching a pre-recorded webinar, "Frienemies: The Brain Science Behind the Dynamic Cooperative / Competitive World of Women's Leadership" from the SWE Advance Learning Center. Bring a dessert or a bottle of wine - we will provide munchies and pop, sparkling juices and iced tea for those who can’t or don’t want to have wine. Thanks to SWE member Amy Zeboor for hosting this event at her home in Rockford (address to be sent to those who RSVP).
Webinar Synopsis:
As females, we are conditioned to behave in ways that aren't always recognized as "best practice" in leadership. Often these same practices pit us against one another rather than playing to our natural biological strengths. It's time to break down and break through these barriers. Understanding the biological basis of a typical female leadership style can help women of all career stages become more successful leaders by reconciling how a female brain approaches risk, challenge, conflict, and cooperation.
By the end of this session, learners should be able to:
Webinar Synopsis:
As females, we are conditioned to behave in ways that aren't always recognized as "best practice" in leadership. Often these same practices pit us against one another rather than playing to our natural biological strengths. It's time to break down and break through these barriers. Understanding the biological basis of a typical female leadership style can help women of all career stages become more successful leaders by reconciling how a female brain approaches risk, challenge, conflict, and cooperation.
By the end of this session, learners should be able to:
- Acknowledge the importance of language in structuring power, and identify how this can undermine female leadership.
- Identify 2-3 reasons internal competition decreases productivity, as well as tips for avoiding this biological trap.
- Outline how to maximize the effectiveness of your own leadership style by accurately assessing how others perceive you.
November 2018
Joint Meeting with GE Aviation Women's Network
Lunch Webinar Title:
Survive to THRIVE: Rewiring our Brains in an Epidemically Stressed Society
This is a great opportunity to get in some professional development, network with some fresh faces, and enjoy a free lunch graciously provided by the GE Aviation Women's Network.
When:
Thursday, Nov 29, 2018
12-1:30 PM
Where:
GE Aviation
3290 Patterson Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
RSVP to Amy Rokos amy.rokos@gmail.com by Monday Nov 26, 2018
From SURVIVE ... To THRIVE
This webinar is available online at no cost to registered members of the Society of Women Engineers through the Advanced Learning Center on the SWE website. It was originally recorded in July 2018.
Author: Rebecca Heiss
Summary: Stressed? You'd be amazed what the implications are. From ethical lapses to health breakdowns, our society is epidemically stressed and it's breaking our bottom line! Survive to Thrive brings members the cutting edge neuroscience of stress and strategies to get out of our pre-programmed survival mindsets, to a place where business, bodies and brains all thrive.
Survive to THRIVE: Rewiring our Brains in an Epidemically Stressed Society
This is a great opportunity to get in some professional development, network with some fresh faces, and enjoy a free lunch graciously provided by the GE Aviation Women's Network.
When:
Thursday, Nov 29, 2018
12-1:30 PM
Where:
GE Aviation
3290 Patterson Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
RSVP to Amy Rokos amy.rokos@gmail.com by Monday Nov 26, 2018
From SURVIVE ... To THRIVE
This webinar is available online at no cost to registered members of the Society of Women Engineers through the Advanced Learning Center on the SWE website. It was originally recorded in July 2018.
Author: Rebecca Heiss
Summary: Stressed? You'd be amazed what the implications are. From ethical lapses to health breakdowns, our society is epidemically stressed and it's breaking our bottom line! Survive to Thrive brings members the cutting edge neuroscience of stress and strategies to get out of our pre-programmed survival mindsets, to a place where business, bodies and brains all thrive.
November 2018
Joint Meeting with Calvin College SWE
Thursday, Nov 1, 2018
6-730 (ish) PM
Cost: $5 (exact cash preferred)
RSVP by Tues, Oct 30, 2018 to Calvin College SWE
and copy Kathy Joseph
Include SWE Networking in the subject line, and
please confirm number attending and share any dietary restrictions when you email.
6-730 (ish) PM
Cost: $5 (exact cash preferred)
RSVP by Tues, Oct 30, 2018 to Calvin College SWE
and copy Kathy Joseph
Include SWE Networking in the subject line, and
please confirm number attending and share any dietary restrictions when you email.
Remember your college days? Would it have been GREAT for some SWE Professionals to hang out and have dinner with you at your school? Did you even understand the benefit of NETWORKING back then? Do you now? Many students are unfamiliar with the concept of networking, so lets help spread the news that it's important but easy and fun. Come enjoy a low-key time of conversation and food with the students at Calvin.
West Michigan SWE is excited to partner with Calvin College SWE for our November meeting! Please join us at Calvin College on Thursday, Nov 1 from 6-730 (ish) for dinner and networking. Cost is $5 for each professional attendee, preferably as a $5 bill for Calvin SWE's Treasurer. Or bring more money and donate the rest!
The goal of this event is to make connections between professional members and students. Networking may range from as informal as chatting over dinner to as formal as embarking on a mentoring relationship. Please come prepared to share your business card!
Location:
Calvin College Commons Annex
1765 Knollcrest Circle SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4404
(See map for directions and parking)
Section voting completed! |
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Section Membership voted on, and passed on two proposals:
1. Adopt new Section bylaws (required due to SWE governance changes)
2. Change Section name - Proposing to change from WESTERN MICHIGAN SECTION
to GRAND RAPIDS SECTION
1. Adopt new Section bylaws (required due to SWE governance changes)
2. Change Section name - Proposing to change from WESTERN MICHIGAN SECTION
to GRAND RAPIDS SECTION
- Only current SWE members with membership in the Western Michigan Professional Section were able to case valid votes. Some interested members were encouraged to transfer their membership from their previous section.
- Voting link was sent by email in October 2018. If you are a member of this SWE Section but did not receive that email, please contact Kathy Joseph, FY19 Secretary. Include SWE Voting in the subject line.
- Voting closed at midnight on Sunday, October 21, 2018 through Survey Monkey, with additional votes received and verified by email as late as October 25, 2018.
- Bylaws were submitted to SWE Bylaws Chair, and Name Change proposal was forwarded to SWE Board of Directors for approval.
October 2018
WE18 in Minneapolis, Minnesota!
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October 18-20, 2018
Minneapolis, Minnesota https://we18.swe.org/ Contact Kathy Joseph if you would like to connect with other West Michigan women who plan to attend this year's conference. |
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WE18’s theme, Let’s Break Boundaries is rooted in the notion that all women engineers, young and old, veterans, those in the early stages of their career, and engineers still pursuing their collegiate degree, are breaking boundaries both personally and for women across the globe.
The conference itself breaks boundaries by being the largest gathering of women engineers across all major engineering disciples. Facing challenges and breaking through barriers is something SWE has done since its inception in 1950. 2018 and WE18 will be no exception. |
October 2018
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Grand Rapids Girls
FIRST Robotics
Competition
When: Saturday, October 13, 2018
8-8:45 am (arrive 7:30am for the Panel Discussion)
or other opportunities at the event between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm
Where: Wyoming High School
1350 Prairie Pkwy SW
Wyoming, MI 49509
What: 4-5 Panelists for "Ladies in Tech" Career Discussion Panel
Contact event coordinator David Price ( david_s_price@hotmail.com ) to join the panel
Check this website for more information girlsrobotics.org/index.html
There are additional opportunities to volunteer or support this event!
SWE is helping to sponsor this all-girls FIRST Robotics competition on Saturday, October 13th at Wyoming High School. Volunteers are needed to help staff the event and spread the word about the competition, especially to elementary and middle school-aged girls. It is an exciting spectator event, and it's FREE to go watch and cheer! Even if you can't volunteer, your presence in the stands supports these young ladies. The special request for SWE participation this year is for 4-5 members to participate in the LADIES IN TECH Career Panel Discussion.
Your SWE contacts for this outreach event: Vanessa Decker or Jocelyne Denhoff
8-8:45 am (arrive 7:30am for the Panel Discussion)
or other opportunities at the event between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm
Where: Wyoming High School
1350 Prairie Pkwy SW
Wyoming, MI 49509
What: 4-5 Panelists for "Ladies in Tech" Career Discussion Panel
Contact event coordinator David Price ( david_s_price@hotmail.com ) to join the panel
Check this website for more information girlsrobotics.org/index.html
There are additional opportunities to volunteer or support this event!
SWE is helping to sponsor this all-girls FIRST Robotics competition on Saturday, October 13th at Wyoming High School. Volunteers are needed to help staff the event and spread the word about the competition, especially to elementary and middle school-aged girls. It is an exciting spectator event, and it's FREE to go watch and cheer! Even if you can't volunteer, your presence in the stands supports these young ladies. The special request for SWE participation this year is for 4-5 members to participate in the LADIES IN TECH Career Panel Discussion.
Your SWE contacts for this outreach event: Vanessa Decker or Jocelyne Denhoff
Steelcase Wood Furniture Plant Tour
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Thursday, October 11th, 2018
12-1pm (Please arrive by 11:50 as the tour will start promptly at 12) Safety glassed, ear plugs, and closed toe shoes required. Must be 18 years old. RSVP by Tuesday, October 9 to Kate Cicchino Add to Calendar |
Come join us for a fun lunch hour touring the Steelcase Wood Plant! We will have a private tour of the plant during its operational hours. Steelcase fabricates wood furniture, from simple worksurfaces
to wooden storage units. This business is high complexity, low volume and therefore you will not see assembly lines pumping out high amounts of product. Our typical takt times are closer to 5 minutes for producing a unit.
The processes you will see will include:
Creating a veneer board (putting strips of wood onto particle board)
Sizing of the board (cutting length/width)
CNC routers used to cut holes and special features
Edgebanders to hide raw edges
Glue/Dowel construction for assembly
Please RSVP by Tuesday, October 9th so we have a head count for the tour. Feel free to bring a friend, spouse, or significant other, and we hope to see you there!
Location:
Steelcase Wood Plant
4100 68th St.
Caledonia, MI 49316
to wooden storage units. This business is high complexity, low volume and therefore you will not see assembly lines pumping out high amounts of product. Our typical takt times are closer to 5 minutes for producing a unit.
The processes you will see will include:
Creating a veneer board (putting strips of wood onto particle board)
Sizing of the board (cutting length/width)
CNC routers used to cut holes and special features
Edgebanders to hide raw edges
Glue/Dowel construction for assembly
Please RSVP by Tuesday, October 9th so we have a head count for the tour. Feel free to bring a friend, spouse, or significant other, and we hope to see you there!
Location:
Steelcase Wood Plant
4100 68th St.
Caledonia, MI 49316
Whitecaps Game Social
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Wednesday, August 22, 2018 6:30-10 PM (Game starts at 7:05 PM) Cost: Tickets are FREE, first come first serve for SWE professional/collegiate members and their families; on your own for consessions. RSVP: Kathy Joseph by Friday, August 17th Add to Calendar |
Meeting Information
We kicked things off with a Whitecaps game social on Wednesday, August 22, 2018. SWE provided lawn tickets for members/collegiates/friends and their families.
Location:
Fifth Third Ballpark
West River Drive,
Comstock Park, MI
We kicked things off with a Whitecaps game social on Wednesday, August 22, 2018. SWE provided lawn tickets for members/collegiates/friends and their families.
Location:
Fifth Third Ballpark
West River Drive,
Comstock Park, MI
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