Fixing A Flawed System

To the Editor: I have read, with considerable interest, the recent "Perspective" written by Past President Skip Fletcher ("A Call For Change," ASME NEWS, Sept.). I think that, in it, he hits the nail squarely on its head.

My view is that the system in place is severely flawed in that the president of the Society serves for only one year. There is little time for him/her to establish long-range programs with any hope of bringing them to fruition.

An excellent case in point is [ASME Past President Dan] Koenig's Journey, in which the leadership of the Society prioritized almost 50 programs and steps were immediately taken to implement those that were deemed most essential. It is a sad commentary that few remember not only the journey, but what these programs were. I believe that we must find a way to provide program continuity from president to president.

Isn't it odd that the one person who can outlast all members of the leadership is the executive director? Perhaps that person should be empowered to form a committee for the express purpose of providing program continuity. The committee itself should have extended terms of office for its members and must meet periodically to assure that it is fulfilling its charter.

The executive director still reports to the Board of Governors so there is no need to quote the old saying that the Society membership makes the policy and the staff carries it out.

Allan Kraus, Honorary Member
Beechwood, Ohio

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