Members have many ways to be contributors. • Our chapters provide an engagement opportunity in a member’s local community.
• Our Technical Community Network (TCN) provides an engagement opportunity in a member’s technical area of expertise.
• Our Manufacturing Knowledge Base Wiki provides an engagement opportunity to enhance the availability of the latest manufacturing techniques and practices in a wiki environment.
• Our PRIME schools and student competitions provide an engagement opportunity to help inspire and mentor the next-generation manufacturing workforce. Many contributing members freely give their time and ex- pertise because they want to help, and, most importantly, be a part of an organization that is doing good work. But, we know that being able to provide a fulfilling answer to the question “What’s in it for me?” is also an important part of enhancing membership engagement. Providing more value back to these contributing members will help us grow and expand this criti- cal group of people. Our goal for this upcoming year is to plan and implement new ways to grow and enrich the engagement of our contributing members.
Relevant Products and Services
Our products and services are an important component of our value proposition, not just for our members, but for the entire field of manufacturing. Our world-class offering of tradeshows, conferences, online learning, certifications, media products, and many other products and activities give all levels of people in manufacturing an opportunity to meet new people, have access to new knowledge and create opportuni- ties to grow and enhance their own careers. Our goal in 2013 is to continue to work on improving the relevance of our products and services. As the global landscape of manufacturing has changed and continues to change, SME is committed to providing relevant ways for individuals, companies, communities and other organizations to have access to the most up-to-date, credible and impactful information, knowledge and connections related to manufac- turing. We will continue our plan-do-check-adjust process for all of our products and services, which starts by listening, to ensure that our products and services are world-class and meeting the needs of all of our stakeholders. An important aspect of SME, as a not-for-profit organiza- tion, is that the revenue we receive from our products and ser- vices gives SME the ability to give back in the form of scholar- ships and support of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering
S
ME’s 2012 Fall Award and Installation Banquet took place in Las Vegas on November 10. The 2012 SME College of Fellows were honored and the 2013 SME president, SME Executive Committee, Board of Directors and Member Council were installed. In addition, the retiring directors and Member Council were recognized for their service to the Society, as was 2012 SME President LaRoux K. Gillespie, Dr. Eng., FSME, CMfgE, PE. Following is a pictorial of these activities:
and Mathematics) education and PRIME schools, engaging in student competitions to inspire the next-generation workforce, helping with workforce development of our returning veterans, promotions to improve the image of manufacturing and many other activities.
“Making it possible” requires a lot of work by a lot of
people. We have an outstanding Board of Directors, and some great new directors and officers who will be joining us this year. We also have an outstanding staff whose talents, commitment and dedication are remarkable. And, we have the true power of our Society, which is our volunteers, those individuals who give their time for their own personal rea- sons to help make SME better and more meaningful to more people. I look forward, as the incoming president, to working with all of them for a successful and satisfying year for SME and everyone it impacts.
So, as we enter 2013, and you are finishing up your New
Year’s resolutions, remember that SME is here for you, and we are focused on “making it possible” for you, your company and our society to prosper in the New Year. ME
Las Vegas Serves as Backdrop for SME’s 2012 Fall Awards and Installation Banquet
Outgoing SME Board of Directors Mark Michalski (left), MKS Instruments, and 2011 SME President Paul Bradley, LSME, PE, Peterson Industries Pty. Ltd.