NC ASSE Members Survey
The executive committee will soon begin planning for the 2012-2013 year. We are seeking member feedback that can be used to help us provide value to you as members. Please take 5 minutes to complete the survey that can be found by clicking on the following link:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MQQD8B7.
President's Message
“Regurgitated Leadership Seeking Resume Icons”
Now there’s a positive comment to start a new year, but that’s precisely what your Executive Committee read in the recent survey run by Society HQ! The survey reportedly went to a random sampling of our over 200 Chapter members yet as always, the scientists and engineers in us can’t help but find the data useful. That said; the one comment is meaningful and comes at a time when the Executive Committee is desperate to locate and nurture new leadership. As many should know, we have no one committed presently to serve as our next President-Elect, a position which succeeds to Chapter President in 2013-2014. So it’s no secret that in all honesty, we do need fresh meat (as they say.) But ask my four fellow regurgitrants; Arlene Edwards, Jay Sprankle, David Machles and Bob Andrews, and they may tell you the same thing I will. I have no regrets serving on the EC from 1996-2000 and again from 2010-present. The value I place on the network of competent professionals whom I’ve come to know personally or professionally during this time is why I did it once and chose to do it again. The value I place on my membership is almost entirely based on this network. Survey question #11 indicates that I am far from alone. I promise that as an EC member, your network can only be fortified. And while new ideas and new leaders are SO welcome, the ones seeking only the icon would hopefully be shunned. The job requires commitment and sacrifice not unlike any good volunteer job - regurgitated or not!
So as much then as I must enjoy wallowing in the power and glory that comes with adding President of NC-ASSE to my resume, I would personally welcome the member who made this comment to take the plunge and consider a nomination. I’m pretty easy-going when it comes to shouldering passionate comments made from one’s heart. So as this member also decries his or her membership providing “no current value,” shouldn’t I suspect ideas for improvement being withheld? Step on up brother or sister!
As readers can see themselves from the survey results, there are things that are working and things to keep working on. It looks as though adding PayPal has been positively received as well as having the occasional evening meeting. Meeting length seems to be an issue for many of us; yet trying to balance having a talk worth hearing AND having it occur respectfully enough that we’re not all chowing down while the speaker’s trying to engage us (not to mention their own food going cold) is tough. One concern outweighs the other so expect that meetings with food will allow us to eat while networking - with a separate time to take in the technical presentation. The time issue is far from insignificant though so also look for us adding the occasional webinar (chapter and technical meeting) to accommodate and attract members who physically can’t make it the Triangle without taking a half-day leave. Please let our Program Chair, Michelle Morgan Michelle.Morgan@jobreadyservices.net of any ideas you have on meetings.
Overall, the survey seems positive which adds to the positive experience of serving in a leadership role within this fine Chapter. Please let any of the officers know of anything you agree or disagree with from the survey. And by all means, please let our Nominations and Elections Committee Chair, Horace Rozier horace_rozier@bd.com know if you have what it takes to volunteer. If a resume icon is what you seek, and you’re willing to help your Chapter forward by shifting a few priorities, please step on up. If nothing else, understand that those on the executive committee have full time jobs, families, other volunteer activities and lives outside of safety. Getting involved in any way that you can or just attending a meeting is a great way to express your appreciation. Providing heart-felt opinions and following these up with a promise to make a difference will not only “keep the lights on” within the North Carolina Chapter, it will put our Chapter on a pedestal to help inspire even other Chapters. Until the next time, don’t let the lack of winter sunlight get you down and help a friend today.
Steve
Update Your Contact Information with ASSE
As we all know communicating with our members is difficult. If your e-mail address has recently been changed or modified we would like for you to update your infomation so that we may stay in contact with you on upcoming events. You can update your contact information online at http://www.asse.org/about/addresschange.php.
ANSI/AIHA Z10-2005 Standard Revision
We are in the process of revising the ANSI/AIHA Z10 2005 standard. As a committee member for this standard I am soliciting comments to improve it. If you have any specific language changes you would like to see made or specific annex material you think we should add, please send them to Bob Andrews, CSP at rkandrews@ncdot.gov before May 20th. It will also be helpful to get a rationale or objective you have for us making the change.
