news from the Congress 11/19/03

Preliminary Plan Introduced to Membership During General Assembly Meeting

Emily Smith
ASME NEWS

WASHINGTON — Seeking input from ASME members about a preliminary plan to refocus the organization that was approved by the Board of Governors on Sunday, ASME's leadership explained the plan in a well-attended General Assembly meeting that was held here Monday.

Some 400 people attended the General Assembly to listen to the concepts for change that are outlined in the plan. The plan is the result of 14 months of work by a team of volunteer leaders and senior staff to develop "Looking and Moving Forward: A Preliminary Plan."

ASME leadership and representatives from the A.D. Little consultancy met with Congress attendees at the General Assembly to discuss the plan to refocus the Society.

After the plan was approved by the BOG on Sunday, the complete report was posted on ASME's Web site: www.asme.org. The purpose of the general meeting Monday was to explain the plan to those not attending the BOG meeting and to get input from the membership about the proposed changes.

After a lengthy presentation, questions from the audience were addressed by ASME leadership along and two representatives of A.D. Little, the consultant group that worked with ASME to create the plan. While the general concepts outlined in the plan were supported by most of the questioners, many asked about procedures that a new organizational structure would create.

As ASME President Reggie Vachon explained, those questions were premature because details won't be worked out until after March 2004 when a final reorganization plan is adopted. Until then, he said, the plan will undergo changes and adjustments.

A consultant from A.D. Little goes over some points from the proposed plan at the General Assembly meeting Monday.

The presentation was followed by a feedback session during which 148 members responded to 24 questions about the concepts for change outlined in plan. Responses were given via an electronic device that recorded the answers of each voter.

Most found that the new vision for ASME addresses the future of the Society: 82 percent said the plan was either on target or workable with adjustments; 18 percent said that the plan was off target.

The vote was the same for those weighing the recommendations of the marketing study outlined during the presentation: 82 percent found the recommendations on-target or workable with minor adjustments; 18 percent said the recommendations were off target.

The strategic priorities for change outlined in the plan were supported by 95 percent of those voting. Support for the preliminary plan as presented was strong: with 85 percent giving strong support and 15 percent withholding any support.




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