Mission Statement:
The Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) Association is organized to promote knowledge, best practices, and the exchange of information in the profession; ensure the protection of public health, welfare and safety; and educate clients and other stakeholders of the value and benefits of subsurface utility engineering services.
“Trade associations are the safeguards of small business and thus prevent the extinction of competition. With wisdom and devotion, their voluntary forces can accomplish more for your country than any spread of the hand of government.”
– Herbert Hoover, 1923
Organization:
The Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) Association will be a not for profit trade association organized under section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code. Members will be firms, organizations and individuals engage in providing subsurface utility engineering services, as well as kindred and ancillary activities. SUEA will be governed by a Board of Directors elected by the members and officers elected from the Board. SUEA will operate under adopted bylaws.
As a 501(c)(6) organization, the SUE Association will be a “business league”, exempt from federal income tax. Under this section of the IRS Code, SUEA can engage in activities to promote the common business interest of members and to improve conditions of business; and allows lobbying and other legislative activities. Dues, registration fees and other expenses paid to the SUE Association by members may be tax deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses under IRS rules.
The SUE Association is not intended to duplicate or compete with other trade associations or professional societies. Rather, it will complement those organizations and fill a void by having a specific focus on SUE practice, recognition of ASCE Standard 38-02, SUE education, advocacy, certification and best practices. It will be the intent of the SUE Association to work cooperatively with other associations and societies on matters of mutual interest and to bring a SUE component to those other associations and organizations.
Why?:
The SUE Association is being formed by a group of principals, owners and partners in leading SUE firms to raise the profile of SUE practice; open a dialogue and exchange of information with clients of SUE services; promote SUE practice and best practices therein; and implement programs to make SUE more widely accepted and understood in the marketplace. The founding of the SUE Association is based on a believe that a void currently exists among trade associations and professional societies in engineering, surveying, and related fields that lacks attention to SUE practice and is not adequate to promote the SUE discipline in a manner that can be accomplished by a new, dedicated SUE organization.