It has been awhile since we last communicated and we have done much since then including hosting a dialogue on the opioid epidemic, getting together at a retro arcade bar, and touring a major area water plant. I have enjoyed seeing new faces at these events and getting to meet members from different areas of the city a little better. I look forward to meeting many more of you in the months to come as we move into the last quarter of this chapter year. Where has the time gone?

We are looking ahead to July and beyond as we begin thinking about what we want our chapter to look like next year. This past week, I traveled to Wichita, Kansas with Mariana and Eric, our two vice presidents, to attend the ASSE Region V Operating Committee meeting. There we met other chapter officers from our region to share best practices for membership engagement and development. Over the next few months, you will be seeing some of these changes as well as opportunities for involvement as we explore using social media and forming new committees to improve your member experience. Remember, our chapter is here for you and we want to hear from you, so if you have ideas or would like to get more involved don’t hesitate to contact us at updates@chicago.asse.org.

With the end of our year coming, it is also time to think about a 'changing of the guard'. So, I am happy to present to you our executive slate for the July 2018-June 2019 chapter year. As 1st and 2nd Vice President are successive, you will be seeing Mariana Lever and Eric Dangoy rising to President and 1st Vice President. Outside of these roles, we have year to year terms, and I am excited to share our newest officers. We will hold a vote for approval of this slate at our May 8th technical meeting at Cucina Biagio, so I hope that you can come out. If there are any questions or concerns about this slate let us know.

President: Mariana Lever

1st VP: Eric Dangoy

2nd VP: Carmen-Julia Castellon

Treasurer: Dan Minnich Jr.

Secretary: Angela Chiappone

Delegate: Karen Boyce-Lindgren

Delegate: Ryan Mannion

One last thing, prior to our May 8th meeting, we will be traveling to the University of Illinois at Chicago on April 24th where our student section will be hosting us for a lunch meeting in which they will present on some of their research and give a recap of their activities for this year. If you are able, come out and support our future safety professionals.

I wish you all a good week and look forward to seeing you soon.