Restructuring Input Requested

By now, you should be aware of the important work that your elected leaders have been doing over the past several months to enhance the future of ASME through the Continuity and Change Initiative. That work will culminate over the next six months with a plan to redirect our vision in ways that are consistent with our goals to restructure the Society.

To that end, it is very important that you help us redefine ASME. I urge you to attend the 2003 Congress this month for a firsthand look at the preliminary plan to reshape ASME.

A General Assembly for all members will take place Monday, Nov. 17, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Washington Room of the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. During this time, we will discuss the action taken by the Board of Governors — as it relates to the preliminary plan — on Sunday, Nov. 16. If you are not planning to attend the Congress, but live close to Washington, please join us on Monday. We want your input. Members will not be required to register for the Congress to attend the General Assembly.

The purpose of this assembly will be to provide awareness and gather feedback from our members. We will explain our vision and how the preliminary plan will implement it. We will review the various processes that were used to develop the preliminary plan. Because we anticipate a large number of participants, the General Assembly will be facilitated to allow comment from as many of our members as possible. It will be an open forum to discuss the key points of the plan and to explore issues to reach a consensus.

As I mentioned in my column last month, four additional General Assemblies will be held in January and February in four centralized locations: Jan.10 in Toledo, Ohio; Jan. 24 in the area of Hartford, Conn.; Feb. 7 in Houston, Texas; and Feb. 21 in the area of Oakland, Calif.

I ask all of you to attend one of these five General Assemblies. However, if you are unable to attend, I still want your input. After the Congress, we will provide information on the preliminary plan and a way for you to give us your feedback via the Internet. You may also contact me directly at president@asme.org.

— Reginald I. Vachon
ASME President

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