An Enriching Experience

As my term in office concludes, ASME International is in the midst of sweeping organizational change that will transform the Society. For ASME, change means dispensing with many traditional business practices — some decades old — and replacing them with new and exciting programs that will improve and expand our service to the membership and to the mechanical engineering profession worldwide.

Technology, particularly the Internet, enables ASME to become a more efficient organization. Early on, we recognized the powerful capabilities of Web-based communications as a strategic business tool for ASME, and so we committed substantial funds and resources to developing the content and other improvements.

In the last six months, a total of $1.3 million has been authorized to develop ASME.ORG into one of the very best Web experiences for engineers and the "premier portal for mechanical engineering knowledge."

New Web-based programs will impact the profession for years to come. ASME now operates "The Digital Store," which allows some 420 codes and standards to be purchased online and downloaded. We developed an enhanced search engine for ASME.ORG that allows an improved structure for navigating and accessing technical publications.

Looking ahead, ASME"s Digital Store will be expanded to include other ASME products. Other future changes in the realm of ASME.ORG include Web-based mentoring and "The Virtual Nanotechnology Institute." The latter, when implemented, will represent the first time that a technical field is managed across multiple segments of the Society.

While we are successfully forging an effective Web-centric organization at ASME, there have been other changes in the last year that are not specifically tied to ASME.ORG.

Within the Council on Education, a Continuing Education Institute is being developed that will transform the marketing and delivery of course material for engineers. Also emerging in COE is a professional practice curriculum guide, which will strengthen the Society's role in helping students to understand their future role as professionals.

Organizational changes and an added emphasis on student activities and the Society's relations with department heads are key elements of the new plan.

A new format is under development for the annual International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. Topic sessions will be organized around tracks, rather than technical divisions. Tracks will include panel discussions and tutorials, in addition to the technical papers. A track highlighting nanotechnology will be featured at the upcoming 2001 Congress in New York City.

These are all new and exciting ways of doing business for ASME. Indeed, ASME is being transformed into an agile, resourceful and world-class, 21st-century organization. However, much remains to be done.

The Council on Engineering is examining the changes that it needs to make in order to better serve an interdisciplinary profession and embrace emerging technologies more quickly. The Council on Member Affairs must determine the role of local sections in a Web-centric world. All councils must find ways to use new communications technology to build communities of interest. We have a fiscally sound Society, led by dedicated volunteers and staff. I have no doubt that the necessary changes will be accomplished.

It has been a pleasure serving as your president during this eventful year. I have been enriched by the experience in ways I could not imagine. Thank you for your support and encouragement.

— John R. Parker, P.E.
ASME President

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