When Words Matter - Words Really Do Matter - Spring 2021
ACEC/MA When Words Matter - Words Really Do Matter - Spring 2021
An ACEC/MA Leadership Education Course
May 20, 25, 27, 2021: 3 session course, 4 - 5:30 PM on Zoom
Be ready for a highly interactive series of sessions focusing on case studies, group exercises, and valuable lessons learned. This When Words Matter course has been expanded to include professional writing specific to the documents developed by our engineers, scientists, and planners. This course includes three 90-minute sessions with 2 modules per session and breakout discussions.
Fee: $450 ACEC/MA member; $900 non-members | If your firm is an ACEC/MA Member, You are an ACEC/MA Member. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Register using the form above.
To ensure a high-quality learning and networking experience, we are limiting enrollment to 30* | *3 employees per firm, additional employees from your firm who are interested will be placed on a waiting list
Presenters:
Session 1: Scopes of Work and Qualifications, Carol Lurie, VHB
Session 2: Legal Language and Deliverables, Eric Howard, Donovan Hatem; Carol Lurie, VHB
Session 3: Insurance and Quality Control, Mike Herlihy, Ames & Gough; Carol Lurie, VHB
Facilitator: J. Matthew Bellisle, Pare Corporation
The words that we choose to use, while beautifully combined to convey our findings, to create an image of our approaches, or to detail our deliverables, can often lead us into trouble. As engineers, designers, managers, and business development professionals we strive to provide well crafted, detailed, and readable materials. These materials vary from business qualifications, and scopes of work, to technical reports and memoranda, and from field reports to specifications. Each product needs to speak to the intended audience with clarity to minimize legal risk and reduce insurance exposure.
This course goes beyond the basic writing skills necessary for grammatically correct technical reports and marketing documents, and addresses word choice, implied meaning, and assumption of risk.
The purpose of this program is to help writers with 5-8 years of work experience gain a better understanding of:
- How to prepare readable documents for various audiences
- How to develop clear and unambiguous materials
- The value of quality control and consistency
- Writing as a collaborative process.
At the end of this presentation, you will be able to:
- Prepare a technical scope of work that clearly defines the project tasks
- Prepare a comprehensive technical report appropriate for clients, regulators, and the public
- Prepare field notes, emails, memoranda, and letters that are professional and appropriate
- Edit and proofread your own, and your colleagues’ documents
- Refer to useful tools that will support your future writing process.
*If Your Firm is an ACEC/MA member, YOU are an ACEC/MA member. www.acecma.org
This program is worth 4.5 PDHs (not in NY or FL), which may be accepted in some states for continuing education for PEs & PLSs.
Register:
- Fax the Registration form to: 617-227-6783 or Email it: acecma@engineers.org
- For check payment: Email form to reserve your spot, then Mail payment + form to: ACEC/MA, The Engineering Center, One Walnut St, Boston, MA 02108-3616
- Need help? Contact: acecma@engineers.org or call 617/227-5551
Supported by The Engineering Center Education Trust staff