December is traditionally ACEC/PAC's strongest month, and many states are in the midst of aggressive outreach efforts.

"Despite the tough economy, our fundraising numbers are up significantly, but we still have work to do in order to head into the 2012 political season on a strong footing," said ACEC/PAC Chairman Chris Borton of Borton-Lawson in Wilkes-Barre.

To check on the status of your state's ACEC/PAC fundraising effort or learn more, click on the interactive map above.

The Marcellus Shale region has quickly become one of the largest engineering markets in the country. While hydraulic fracturing has opened up huge reserves, it has also raised significant environmental concerns.

Steve Forde of the industry-led Marcellus Shale Coalition will describe the current state of the Marcellus Shale market, industry responses to the environmental issues, and current and future business opportunities for engineering firms.

To register, click here.

The Council's extensive member services and programs were described in depth. "The orientation helped me to better understand how ACEC/National supports our state efforts," said ACEC/New Hampshire Board Member Joseph Ducharme. "ACEC is a class organization, head and shoulders above the rest."

Participants included:

ACEC/Alabama Win Bishop, President-Elect Renee Anne Casillas, Executive Director ACEC/Arkansas Dee Brown, State Director Brent Massey, Vice-President Herbert Parker, Secretary Angie Cooper, Executive Director ACEC/California John Moossazadeh, President-Elect ACEC/Colorado Eric Young, President ACEC/Connecticut Paul Schmidt, President ACEC/Delaware Scott Rathfon, President ACEC/Georgia James Hamilton, President Edgar Williams, President-Elect Gwen Brandon, Executive Director ACEC/Hawaii Mike Street, Treasurer ACEC/Illinois Darcie Gabrisko, President-Elect ACEC/Iowa Gayle Roberts, President-Elect David Scott, Executive Director ACEC/Kentucky Randolph Scott, President-Elect Karen Wood, National Director ACEC/Louisiana E. H. Lancaster, President-Elect ACEC/Maryland Jeffery McBride, President Leon Kriebel, Vice President Michael Myers, National Director Jim Otradovec,Executive Director ACEC/Michigan Keith Swaffar, President-Elect ACEC/Missouri Daniel Wilson, Chairman-Elect ACEC/Nebraska Steve Kathol, Treasurer Jackie McCullough, Executive Director

ACEC/Nevada Dawn Miller, Executive Director ACEC/New Hampshire Joseph Ducharme, Board Member William Moore, Board Member ACEC/New Jersey Lissette Miquel, Chairwoman ACEC/North Carolina Randall Neuhaus, President-Elect Kathryn Sawyer Westcott, Executive Director ACEC/Oklahoma Alan Soltani, Chairman-Elect ACEC/Pennsylvania Eric Madden, Executive Vice President ACEC/South Carolina Jerry Carter, Vice President Don Freeman, Secretary/Treasurer ACEC/Tennessee Steven Field, President-Elect Judy Logue, Manager of Member Services ACEC/Utah Craig Bagley, Board Member Rachel McQuillen, Board Member ACEC/Virginia Mark McGuire, President-Elect ACEC/Washington Robert Axley, Chairman-Elect Bill Garrity, President/CEO ACEC/Wisconsin Greg Jewell, Chairman Jayne Martinko, President ACEC/Wyoming Murray Schroeder, Secretary/Treasurer CASE Andrew Rauch, Chairman-Elect Land Development Coalition Mike Snyder, Chairman-Elect

During congressional consideration, ACEC worked with the bill sponsors to expand the program to ensure that—in addition to U.S. citizens—permanent residents and other qualified employees of U.S. firms are eligible.

"This is a good idea that will make it easier for firms to conduct business in this region," said Manish Kothari of Sheladia Associates, Inc. and chairman of ACEC's International Committee.

To submit for consideration one project that is in an on-going phase or recently completed, e-mail the following information to akeeney@acec.org: Project name and location; brief project overview, including any unique aspects; and the name, title and phone number of the executive to be interviewed for the profile. Deadline is Wednesday, December 14, 2011.

If you have any questions, contact Andrea Keeney at akeeney@acec.org.

The HP ProBook 6565b Notebook PC delivers a superior balance of features, price, and performance, providing on-the-go reliability and incredible graphics. The notebook also offers easy manageability, enhanced security, and extended battery life.

This deal is available to ACEC members from November 21 through December 2. (One per person while supplies last.) Click here to buy online or call 1-888-202-4465 and mention ACEC.

Engineers cannot succeed in today's tough environment without a keen awareness of how to steer clear of the legal pitfalls that threaten every project or practice.

In the webinar Survive in a Litigious World: 10 Legal Concepts Every Engineer Should Know, Steve Niparko, senior vice president and general counsel, ARCADIS U.S., Inc., and Neal Sweeney, a partner with the law firm Kilpatrick Townsend, zero in on key legal issues, including implied warranties, the professional standard of care and killer contract clauses.

Click here for details and to register.

In Appraisals and Finance Techniques to Support Your Green Project, consultant Kristen Bacorn explains and provides real-world examples of green building financial success.

Bacorn will discuss how green projects often rent out at higher rates and perform better in life-cycle cost analysis when appraised over the entire service life of the structure. She also will look at a number of markets where green projects are attracting funding attached to tax audits, rebates, low-cost loans, loan guarantees and other benefits.

Click here to register.

With sexual harassment claims once again in national news, ACEC presents a special webinar oriented for A/E/C firms: Harassment in the Workplace—How to Protect Your Employees From Illegal Harassment and Protect Your Company From Legal Claims.

Julia Judish, counsel with Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, will describe how to minimize the likelihood of harassment occurring in your workplace and how to reduce your legal risk if such claims arise.

For details and to register, click here.