Greeting to ASQ section 105 members:

We are all making it through one real old-fashioned Maine winter, and as we look to Spring, I urge you as members of the Pine Tree State Section to consider volunteering to serve on the Executive Committee beginning with meetings held the first Thursday of the month.  At this time Rick Golek, Vice-Chair and I must step down from our Board positions and we cannot succeed ourselves as determined in our by-laws.  Open positions on the Board are Secretary and Treasurer, which have to be filled by the start of our new fiscal year June 30th, 2008.  In addition, there are several committee chair positions officially unfilled at this time.  Several reasons—both business and personal—have interrupted a planned succession of our replacements.

There is no doubt that work and personal interests compete strongly for our time week in and week out.  We cherish our “free time” as our own often to do nothing but relax and recharge, which is indeed understandable.  But let me place this request before you to serve your ASQ Section and its membership.  For Rick and me it has been an interesting, stimulating and beneficial experience for the past ten years or more.  It’s brought a fresh perspective to our own workplace contributions and enriched our performance on the job and recognition for what we do.  We have had a chance to bounce problems and changes in process and business trends off our peers and other professionals.  Our experience and outlook have been broadened and our knowledge deepened.

My challenge to you is this.  Think of giving the Section a couple of nights a month, with the summer off.  Think of your contribution as a limited role—just a defined job that requires a prescribed, manageable amount of time every month.  Envision your participation as a team member, each of which is doing a little bit to help the entire Executive Committee continue the high level of function it’s maintained in past years.

• A lean team approach is what has provided our outstanding programs month in and month out.
• A group has presided over the organization, administration and award of the Sumner K. Wiley, Jr. Scholarship Golf Tournament to assist a deserving Maine resident with tuition help.
• A small committee has divided up responsibilities to serve members by scheduling certification exams at your request, meet the required reporting deadlines for financial accountability and goal attainment, and so forth.

These behind the scenes volunteers stand ready to share and pass on what they know so that the Section remains responsive to members and its continued success is assured.
I urge you to come forward and express your interest in helping us by filling a small job.  We are certain the value in doing so will be growth in your business and professional career as well as doing something good for others. 

You may contact Rick Golek at Bath Iron Works 442-3261or David Smith at The Baker Company 324-8773 for details and a chance to answer your questions. 

David C. Smith, Section Chair, ASQ PTSS #0105.  3/4/08