by David Nickell, SEAOI President 2018-2019

As a part of the 2017 Strategic Plan, SEAOI re-vamped our mission, vision & core values.

SEAOI has always operated under the SEAOI bylaws while utilizing a set of core values to help guide the main focus for our organization. As a part of the 2017 Strategic Planning process, a governance workgroup was formed to study if the SEAOI Core Values needed to be updated. 

The governance workgroup surveyed numerous different organizations and how they presented their organization’s purpose, goals and values.  Based on our investigation and the guidance of our Strategic Planning Consultant, ESC, the Governance Committee set out to draft three main statements:

1. Mission Statement – A statement of WHAT our organization is and WHO our organization serves.
2. Vision Statement – A statement of WHERE we want to go to use as a guiding light to identify our mission. 
3. Statement of Core Values – Values that are integrally a part of the organization. 

A key finding of the governance workgroup was that the three statements needed to be succinct and easy to remember by our members.  After much debate, the draft statements were shared with the SEAOI Board of Directors for approval in January 2017 and approved in February 2017. 

Thank you to all of the SEAOI members who participated in this effort!

Mission, Vision, and Core Values

Mission

SEAOI champions excellence for its members in the practice of Structural Engineering.

Vision

Structural Engineers will be leaders in innovation of the built environment while advancing the prestige of the profession.

Core Values

• Support LEGISLATION to uphold and preserve the Illinois Structural Engineering Act to ensure the safeguarding the lives and property of the public
• Encourage EDUCATION to advance the art and science of Structural Engineering
• Promote PUBLIC AWARENESS to inspire confidence in the profession of Structural Engineering
• Work to uphold the HONOR and INTEGRITY of the profession

SEAOI STRATEGIC PLAN 2024-2027

Mission

SEAOI champions excellence for its members in the practice of Structural Engineering.

Vision

Structural Engineers will be leaders in innovation of the built environment while advancing the prestige of the profession.

Values (to continue to be reviewed as a part of the Strategic Plan):

• To uphold and preserve the Illinois Structural Engineering Act and carry out its prime purpose of safeguarding the lives and property of the public.
• To promote legislation conducive to the practice of good structural engineering.
• To encourage engineering education and advance the art and science of structural engineering.
• To maintain the honor and dignity of the profession.
• To familiarize the public with the role and abilities of the membership and inspire confidence in the profession as a whole.
• To cooperate with other professions when the goals and aspirations coincide with SEAOI and are in the interests of public safety.

To uphold these values, SEAOI will focus on the following:

GOVERNANCE

• Keep SEAOI financially sustainable and relevant to its members
• Monitor Illinois legislation affecting the SE Practice Act
• Create and implement the Strategic Plan

OUTREACH

• Keep SEAOI relevant by improving communication, awareness, and value of Structural Engineers to the Illinois general public and AEC community

MEMBERSHIP

• Create new, and improve existing, member benefits
• Increase membership and engagement

PROGRAMS

• Provide excellent continuing education opportunities, including preparation for the SE Exam
• Provide networking and social opportunities for structural engineers and tangential organizations/communities
• Provide educational content required for Illinois SE license renewal