Are You Taking Advantage of ASPE’s Educational Programs?

by Diane Wingard, CPD, ASPE 2008–2010 Vice President, Education

ASPE has taken full advantage of the Internet to provide educational material for our members and nonmembers. The most successful program is our webinar series. Webinars are broadcast live with the option of obtaining CEUs or PDHs. Some are sponsored by manufacturers, allowing ASPE to provide them free to the membership. Others are pay-per-view events with discounted rates for members, and nonmembers are encouraged to join ASPE to get the discounted rate.

The first webinar aired January 9, 2008. Larry Oliver presented "Green Building: Sustainable Plumbing System Design and the Plumbing Codes", which was sponsored by Sloan Valve. This was the beginning of what is now a library of 12 archived events. Subsequent webinars covered siphonic roof drainage, green opportunities in medical gases, water heater sizing, grease interceptor sizing, LEED points strategies, natural gas and propane sizing, graywater systems, fire suppression using clean agents, and how to become an expert witness. Sponsors have included Jay R. Smith, Armstrong Hot Water Group, and Bradley Corp.

Once a sponsored webinar has been archived on ASPE’s website, members can view it as many times as they want. Being able to access the files as the need arises is a great benefit to our members. The beauty of the archived version is that members can use these webinars as refresher courses to reference over and over again at their leisure.

Work is progressing on the 2010 series. With the success of the program, we are planning on 11 webinars next year.

Many paid webinar participants share the webinar with others in their office. However, since only the registered participant receives the CEUs/PDHs, we strongly encourage the others to register so that they also can earn their continuing education units.

Webinars are only a portion of the ASPE online educational experience. A series of PowerPoint programs also has been developed. Available to date are PowerPoints on structural adhesives, fuel gas systems, foam systems, venting systems, construction administration, solar water heating, fire pump design and testing, defective trap seal identification, water reclamation, and water purification.

Also available are the audio files from the 2008 ASPE Convention technical programs. The 32 sessions can be purchased, including quizzes for those needing CEUs/PDHs.

ASPE is realizing its goal of making educational material for members and nonmembers readily available. The prices for the products are very affordable compared to other educational providers.

Education never stops. The Education Committee now is working to include the technical sessions from the 2009 Technical Symposium and already has started on more PowerPoint presentations. ASPE Director of Education Cliff Reis is well underway planning the next batch of webinars. The demand for material is huge, but ASPE is up to the challenge of providing our members with high-quality products.