I am a member of the University of Cincinnati’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders. The purpose of this community is the following: “EWB partners with communities in developing countries to implement sustainable long-term solutions. These projects heavily involve education and health to assure projects can remain functional for years to come. Students from all majors develop practical knowledge in their fields while gaining valuable leadership skills and becoming internationally responsible professionals” (Constitution of UC EWB). EWB also does a lot of work with local communities, such as Hughs High School.
The obligations of the members of the EWB community are to do what we can to help improve the quality of life of others, but we don’t just go in and say “Oh, they need iPads.” We talk with the community and see what they need, and build a project around that. These obligations are presented to new members during the first couple meetings of the semester, and are also written in our Constitution. This year, one of the members on the executive board also did a presentation on the ethics surrounding EWB and how we’re not saving people and fixing societies, but serving a community and helping the people attain something they otherwise would not have the resources for.
I strongly believe in the goals and message of EWB, and I have taken on the responsibilities of Webmaster for this club. This is a very influential community devoted to helping the less fortunate, so I think it’s important to everyone who shares these values to join this or a similar club. Members don’t have to be an engineer or travel to Africa to be a part of this community, either. There are committees for fundraising and grant writing, which are just as important because without them we wouldn’t be able to afford any of our projects.
The obligations of the members of the EWB community are to do what we can to help improve the quality of life of others, but we don’t just go in and say “Oh, they need iPads.” We talk with the community and see what they need, and build a project around that. These obligations are presented to new members during the first couple meetings of the semester, and are also written in our Constitution. This year, one of the members on the executive board also did a presentation on the ethics surrounding EWB and how we’re not saving people and fixing societies, but serving a community and helping the people attain something they otherwise would not have the resources for.
I strongly believe in the goals and message of EWB, and I have taken on the responsibilities of Webmaster for this club. This is a very influential community devoted to helping the less fortunate, so I think it’s important to everyone who shares these values to join this or a similar club. Members don’t have to be an engineer or travel to Africa to be a part of this community, either. There are committees for fundraising and grant writing, which are just as important because without them we wouldn’t be able to afford any of our projects.