Members generally preferred attending technical lectures on weeknight evenings at locations in Midtown Manhattan that are free or have a nominal charge to attend. A large majority of members supported the Met Section becoming involved as a resource and guide to elected officials in the development of infrastructure-related legislation.

The Met Section thanks those members that took the time to complete the brief survey and provided input on the types of events they would like to see organized and other ideas for what the Met Section can do for them in the future. If you were not selected to participate in the survey but would like to submit suggestions or comments regarding Met Section activities, please send your feedback and ideas to the Membership Committee at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The complete results of the survey are provided below.

1. What benefits do you seek from involvement in Met Section activities?

Response Percent Response Total Career advancement and professional recognition 16.05% 96 Networking and obtaining business contacts 18.23% 109 Obtaining continuing education credits (PDHs) 20.57% 123 Socializing with fellow civil engineers 14.88% 89 Student outreach opportunities 4.68% 28 Technical exchange of ideas 17.73% 106 Volunteer opportunities 7.02% 42 Other 0.84% 5 Total Respondents : 178

2. In the past year (from September 2008 to June 2009) did you attend any events organized by the following Met Section groups?

Response Percent Response Total Air Transport Group 1.79% 4 Construction Group 11.16% 25 Geotechnical Group 16.96% 38 Infrastructure Group 10.71% 24 International Group 6.25% 14 Structures Group 20.98% 47 Long Island Branch 9.38% 21 Lower Hudson Valley Branch 8.93% 20 Younger Member Forum 4.46% 10 Other Met Section Events (Dinner Dance and Awards Presentation, Future City Competition, National Engineers Week Kid's Day, Scholarship Luncheon, etc.) 9.38% 21 Total Respondents : 108

3. Approximately how many Met Section events did you attend in the past year (from September 2008 to June 2009)?

Response Percent Response Total None 36.21% 63 1-2 28.16% 49 3-5 22.41% 39 6-10 7.47% 13 10-14 2.87% 5 15+ 2.87% 5 Total Respondents : 174

4. What are your main reasons for not attending more Met Section events?

Response Percent Response Total I do not have the time to attend. 23.23% 69 The times are not convenient for my schedule. 14.81% 44 The meeting locations are held outside of my area and I am not willing to travel that far to attend. 14.81% 44 The topics and/or speakers do not interest me. 10.10% 30 The costs are too expensive. 6.40% 19 I do not receive information about the events in a timely manner. 11.11% 33 I do not feel like I am an active part of the Met Section. 9.76% 29 I have never been personally invited to a Met Section event. 5.05% 15 Other 4.71% 14 Total Respondents : 173

5. If you were allowed to bring a guest or a spouse to a meeting at a discounted fee (or at no charge), would this encourage you to attend more events?

Response Percent Response Total Yes 24.86% 43 No 43.35% 75 No opinion 31.79% 55 Total Respondents : 173

6. Within New York City, which locations are convenient for you to attend technical lectures and seminars?

Response Percent Response Total Midtown Manhattan (near Grand Central Terminal) 31.53% 99 Midtown Manhattan (near Penn Station) 36.94% 116 Lower Manhattan (Financial District) 17.83% 56 Downtown Brooklyn (MetroTech Center) 10.51% 33 Other 3.18% 10 Total Respondents : 166

7. Would you support holding more Met Section events on the campuses of local colleges and universities if you knew it would help attract more civil engineering students to attend lectures?

Response Percent Response Total Yes 65.88% 112 No 10.59% 18 No opinion 23.53% 40 Total Respondents : 170

8. Which day(s) of the week are most convenient for you to attend technical lectures and seminars?

Response Percent Response Total Monday 14.06% 54 Tuesday 25.78% 99 Wednesday 26.82% 103 Thursday 26.82% 103 Friday 6.51% 25 Total Respondents : 159

9. On weekdays, which meeting times are best for you to attend technical lectures and seminars?

Response Percent Response Total Morning 9.81% 21 Lunchtime 13.55% 29 Afternoon 12.15% 26 Early evening 64.49% 138 Total Respondents : 162

10. For technical lectures, do you prefer attending events that are free (or have nominal charges) or those that cost more but include a meal such as lunch or dinner?

Response Percent Response Total Free or nominal charge to attend 66.87% 111 Cost more to attend, but include a meal 9.04% 15 No preference 24.10% 40 Total Respondents : 166

11. My preferred method(s) of receiving information about upcoming Met Section events is the:

Response Percent Response Total Event calendar on the Met Section website 14.89% 39 Newsletter (PDF format) on the Met Section website 15.65% 41 Email announcements from the Met Section listserv 55.34% 145 Personal interactions with other ASCE members 6.87% 18 Event flyers posted at workplaces 7.25% 19 Total Respondents : 166

12. What types of activities/programs would you like to see the Met Section organize?

Response Percent Response Total Technical lectures 30.00% 150 Conferences and seminars 20.60% 103 Field trips to significant civil engineering projects under construction 18.60% 93 Social events (picnics, barbeques, golf outings, etc.) 8.40% 42 Volunteer and outreach opportunities (adopt-a-highway, speakers for career days at middle and high schools) 8.20% 41 Tours of local civil engineering landmarks 14.00% 70 Other 0.20% 1 Total Respondents : 163

13. The CEs in Government Group has been inactive in recent years due to a lack of volunteers interested in being officers. Do you think it is important to for the Met Section to make efforts to have this technical group reinstated?

Response Percent Response Total Yes 46.91% 76 No 7.41% 12 No opinion 45.68% 74 Total Respondents : 162

14. The Met Section is becoming more involved in working with our elected representatives to serve as a resource and guide the development of technically and economically-sound infrastructure legislation. Would you be in favor of the Met Section becoming more involved in similar activities?

Response Percent Response Total Yes 70.55% 115 No 7.36% 12 No opinion 22.09% 36 Total Respondents : 163

15. Do you feel the current Met Section dues of $25 per year are appropriate?

Response Percent Response Total Dues are just about right 88.75% 142 Dues are too low 8.12% 13 Dues are too high 3.12% 5 Total Respondents : 160

16. Would you be in favor of paying increased Met Section dues or voluntary dues to support Met Section initiatives such as the New York State Legislative Fellowship Program and/or the scholarship program?

Response Percent Response Total Yes, with increased Met Section dues 25.00% 40 Yes, with voluntary Met Section dues 44.38% 71 No 30.63% 49 Total Respondents : 160

17. Does your employer pay or reimburse you for paying ASCE dues (National and/or Met Section)?

Response Percent Response Total Yes, for both National and Met Section dues 50.31% 81 Yes, for National dues only 7.45% 12 No 42.24% 68 Total Respondents : 161