Upcoming Events
View all of Grand Rapids SWE's events our online calendar! Or subscribe to our calendar feed with Outlook, iCal, etc.
The Leadership of the West Michigan SWE Section tries to provide opportunities for development, networking, and outreach to the next generation through monthly events. If you would like to help plan or host any of these or a different event, please follow the link at the left to contact us. We'd love to hear from you, and we welcome your help in aligning and reaching our goals TOGETHER.
Section Membership is currently voting 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
- Must be a current member to vote.
- Voting link was sent by email. If you are a member of this SWE Section but did not receive that email, please contact Kathy Joseph, FY19 Secretary, as soon as possible. Include SWE Voting in the subject line.
- Voting closes at midnight on Sunday, October 21, 2018.
Steelcase Wood Furniture Plant Tour
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
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
October 2018
Join us at WE18 in Minneapolis, Minnesota!
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. |
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. |
If you are interested in attending WE18 and have asked your employer for funding but are coming up short, contact FY19 President Amy Rokos by Friday, Sept 8! West Michigan SWE is offering travel grants! Contact Amy for more information NOW!
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. |
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)
January 2019
Wine & Webinar
This will be an informal gathering to watch a pre-recorded SWE Webinar on a topic especially suited to women in the engineering profession.
This event will be held in Rockford, Michigan.
Details to follow
... check back later!
This event will be held in Rockford, Michigan.
Details to follow
... check back later!

Welcome!
Society Resources
Advertisement
SWE News