Goal: To provide a means for technical and professional development for our members and the local manufacturing community.
Strategies: Provide technical
meetings with topics that are relevant and interesting.
Arrange for plant tours of local companies.
Provide networking opportunities during
technical and social events and use of the Chapter Web Page.
Goal: To advance manufacturing education, curriculum, technology, and student interest in manufacturing and engineering.
Strategies: Provide technical,
advisory, and financial assistance to Eastern Illinois University Student
Chapter S-151 and provide scholarships for students in Manufacturing Technology.
Become involved in the local elementary,
middle, and secondary education system to increase interest in manufacturing
and engineering-related careers.
Provide members with assistance thru
the certification process.
Goal: To provide a communication link between our members, between our chapter and other chapters, and between our chapter and the manufacturing community.
Strategy: Continue to produce a top-notch bulletin and web page.
Goal: To assure the continuation of a strong chapter by developing strong leaders.
Strategy: Encourage officers
and committee chairmen to attend C.O.C. and national and
regional SME events.
Name archives chairman to keep track
of chapter awards and memorabilia.
Put increased effort into retention
of current members and recruitment of new members.
Goal: To remain financially stable.
Strategy: Invest wisely and continue to stress efforts in revenue-producing areas, specifically Bulletin and Web page advertising.
New SME Strategic Plan Announced
Fulfilling its commitment to keep in step with the changes in member needs, demographics of potential members and the manufacturing marketplace at large, SME has adopted a brand new Strategic Plan.
'To ensure the organization is fulfilling the needs of its membership and the manufacturing community, it was necessary to evaluate and update the 1994 Strategic Plan," said Ron Harrelson, SME'S president in 2000.
Under Harrelson's direction an Ad Hoc Strategic Planning Task Force was appointed to review the 1994 Strategic Plan, analyze SME'S infrastructure, membership and business plans, and to chart a path for the future of the Society. The Strategic Planning Task Force was chaired by past president Cecil Schneider and consisted of key staff and representatives from various groups within the organization (i.e., Education Foundation, associations, past presidents, directors, chapters, and regions).
The 2001 Strategic Plan covers SME'S core purpose, core values, and a 10-30 year future vision for the Society, while encompassing three to five year goals. Additionally, the Task Force looked at the longer-term vision of the Society, setting the course for the next 30 years.
"With five years of success against the 1994 Plan, were able to build upon the goals, to continue meeting the current and future needs of our stakeholders," added Harrelson.
The following assumptions were used to build the 2001 Plan. SME will: increase contact with its members; continue to increase membership; solidify worldwide recognition and influence; create new member benefits, products and services; identify strategic alliances and partnerships; be financially secure; maintain a reshaped infrastructure; be strategically linked to the Education Foundation; and maintain a strong sense of community.
In order for this planned course to be successful, the Task Force also identified areas in the SME governance, staff and member infrastructures that must be reviewed and possibly reshaped to better align SME with its new strategic direction. Additional Ad Hoc Task Forces have been appointed to accomplish an intensive review and make recommendations on the governance and membership infrastructures. A reorganization of the staff has already been undertaken.
"SME is widely recognized for advancing worldwide knowledge and understanding of manufacturing engineering and this maximizes the professional success of its members," said SME'S 2001 President, Peter Bulkeley. "To stay the course, we must accomplish the new goals set before us, just as we have in the past."
Added Bulkeley, "To ensure success, metrics will be developed and applied to measure the effectiveness of the overall plans and specific goals."
"Success will only come with support of the SME membership," said Nancy Berg, SME executive director and general manager. To get further involved in advancing SME and its many initiatives, contact the SME Executive Offices at (313) 271-1500, extension 1502.
For a brochure copy of the 2001 SME Strategic Plan, contact SME'S Customer Service at 800-733-4763. It can also be viewed and printed from the SME website at www.sme.org.
