More than 10 years later, the wisdom of SDA members still holds true (excerpt from a 2003 Seattle chapter newsletter).

If you were looking for Seattle Chapter SDA members who can attest to the powerfulness of the organization, you wouldn’t have to look any further than the four panelists at the October program:  Terry Bolender, Robbie Ralkowski, (both lifetime Seattle chapter members); Stacy Rowland, and Linda Flynn (former member).  They offered insight, made suggestions, provided advice, and shared personal anecdotes on how SDA can serve as a building block and enrich your professional career.

Key themes

• Obtain leadership skills (and build confidence and self-esteem)
• Obtain a broader educational/career base
• Become a well-rounded design firm administrator
• Develop a design-industry network
• Understand one’s position and the role it plays in the overall profitability of your firm
• Get involved
• Stretch yourself within your firm; step out of your comfort zone
• Create lifetime friendships