Today’s design firms need an educated and well-trained Operations staff. That’s where SDA can play a vital role in an AEC fir ... m’s practice. We provide continuing education to administrators, accounting and human resources staff, in the business of design. When you join the SDA, both you and the firm reap the rewards. Networking / Continuing Education Networking and education are available through conferences, seminars and workshops, chapter meetings, newsletters, lunchtime roundtables and a job bank. These experiences cover broad range of issues such as HR, Finance, Marketing &PR, Facilities Management, Security, IT and Legal Issues. Discussion Forums The New York Chapter provides a local chapter only email-based discussion list serv for local event updates, job bank postings and member queries. Canstruction® Canstruction® is the SDA’s international community service project that promotes the design community and raises food for hunger relief efforts. Design professionals and students they mentor compete to design and build giant structures made entirely of cans of food. New York City is joined by over 140 cities who hold Canstruction® competitions in the United States and abroad. At the close of each competition, the food is donated to a local food bank. Highlighting the creativity and compassion of A/E/C firms, these astounding structures are helping to change the world by raising public awareness and, most importantly, by collecting millions of pounds of food for food banks. read more