|
October 2008
Natalie Newman, SDA
Chapter President
In these days of company lay-offs, with the financial market in turmoil, the cost of rising gas, and wondering who the heck you’re going to vote for come November, let’s ask ourselves “What can we do to stay positive in these tough economic times?” Well for those of you who have worked in this industry for a long time, you’ve faced these issues before and survived. We all realize it’s time to tighten our belts and focus on what’s important, what’s needed now. Time to look at our expenses and cut out the fluff.
So let’s remember, six months from now when the market starts growing again, we have the opportunity to learn about the excess in our lives, in our companies, and in this A/E community. And as we look forward to the holiday season, let us count our blessings because there are people you know out there who may not be as fortunate as you are.
It’s amazing what CAN get accomplished when people come together for the purpose of benefiting their communities. Whether its building homes with Habitat for Humanity, or supporting BIA/OC HomeAid’s Project Playhouse, or even just donating blood, clothes, and food to your local shelters, I stand in respect and admiration of the kindness of people.
Through the combined efforts of SDA/OC, the AIA Associates, SMPS/OC, the OC Food Bank, and South Coast Plaza, we just completed the 1st Annual Orange County Canstruction® Design/Build Competition. The Orange County Food Bank will receive monetary donations and over 50,000 cans of food that they will be able to distribute to local churches, senior centers, shelters, soup kitchens and social service agencies who are food insecure.
And what better people can I admire and have respect for than the committee members who I just spent almost a year with, organizing and implementing a successful event that none of us had ever done before. And to the teams that participated. The hard work they did to collect the cans that went into building their magnificent structures. And to the faithfulness of our sponsors who gave so generously to this unknown event. And South Coast Plaza, who met with a bunch of misfits who really didn’t know what they were doing, but hosted the location site anyway. And to the members of SDA/OC who helped host a fun and exciting Awards Gala. I am so proud of everyone who gave so much of their personal time.
All this to feed the hungry. To lift the spirit. To put an end to hunger.
One Can
Natalie Newman, SDA
|
Home
Membership Application