Society of Manufacturing Engineers

Chapter 69

Minutes of the Executive Board Meeting

September 17, 2008

                                                                                                                                      

 

 

 

Technical Presentation:

There was no Technical presentation this month.

This month’s technical event will be a tour of Saleen on Tuesday September 23.

Dinner was from 6:45 to 7:10pm.

 

Chairman, Bob Petrach began the meeting at 6:00 p.m. with introductions.

 

Meeting Attendees:

Robert Petrach-Chairman, Gary Shepperd-Treasurer, Alan Wolfe-Secretary, John Agapiou-Programs Chair, Viktor Astakhov-Awards Chair, Paul Drallos-Bulletin Editor, Phil Crockett-OCC Advisor, Doug Ruffley-Communications Chair, John Dinovski-Certification Coord. Chapter 69 members - Jack Wagner, Jack Day, Stuart Selis, Stacy Behrens, Dale Lichtenberg, Manuel Meillon, Jason Viers, Chengyin Yuan

 

Chapter Business

 

Secretary's Report

Alan Wolfe asked if there were any additions or corrections to the May minutes. None were offered. Paul Drallos made a motion to accept, seconded by Doug Ruffley, approved.

 

Treasurer's Report

Gary Shepperd gave the report. Balance after tonight’s meeting $5,205.25.

Checks were mailed out for the supplies that were purchased for the Summer Social, Dream Cruise. It was noted that they were all received.

 

Nominations Committee

Bob Petrach talked about the nomination of officers for 2009. Jack Wagner has resigned as Chair Elect as his job keeps him out of town the great majority of the time.

Bob listed the preliminary slate of officers. Chair-John Agapiou, Chair Elect-Chengyin Yuan, Treasurer-Gary Shepperd, Secretary-Stuart Selis, Communications-Doug Ruffley,

Certification-Larie Smith, Membership-Stacy Behrens, Programs-Open.

Elections are in November and the final slate will be posted at the October meeting.

 

Membership Committee:

Bob Petrach gave the report. As of 9-17 we have 311 members. (Thursday update - Dashboard downloaded incorrectly on 9-17 am - report was wrong- actual figure for membership was 346 as checked and verified on 9-18). Since April 1st we have 18 new members.

At this time we are just above the 80% figure for member retention.

At 80% we will only receive one dollar per member from SME.

 

Programs Report:

John Agapiou talked about the Saleen plant tour this Tuesday the 23rd.

John said there would be students at the Saleen tour. The October, November and January meetings have been set. John is having a little problem getting a bio on the October presenter.

Jack Wagner said he would help out.

Certification Report:

Larie Smith was absent. Bob Petrach talked with Larie and said that Larie is planning on having a fall CMfgE exam. Larie has two candidates to take the exam. Larie and Leroy Seiber.

SME has passed responsibility of the CEM (Certified Engineering Manager) program to EMCI, the Engineering Management Certification Institute.

Jack Day talked about the EMCI certificate he received for being a Certified Engineering Manager and about being the first CEM and how it evolved over the years. Jack also mentioned that his CEM from SME carried over into EMCI and he received an updated CEM certificate from them.

EMCI is trying to make this a worldwide certification.

John Dinovski is to purchase the new CMfgE SME review slides.

Responding to a question, Bob Petrach explained to new members the benefits of being involved in the Chapter. Presentations, Certification, Networking. Jack Day added leadership skills, etc.

Communications Report:

Doug Ruffley stated that he now has 80-85% of member’s emails although sometimes there are still e-mails undelivered or bounced back. Jack Day suggested that for unlisted e-mails, we follow up with a phone call if it’s listed, and request an e-mail. His past experience is that some people guard their e-mail from SME to avoid junk mail, but would be likely to share it with the chapter with the promise from a peer that it will be used only for chapter communication, not junk.

Doug said “The Chairman’s Message” that Bob sent out asking members to get involved must be working. He is getting responses from the emails that have been sent.

Doug’s been keeping our members advised of SME Chapter’s One & 79 events.

Stacy Behrens talked about other means of getting members involved and online networking communities such as Facebook or Linked-In, especially for pursuing younger members and students. He will be able to explore these if elected Membership Chair.

Bulletin Report:

Paul Drallos said the May bulletin was sent out before he made all the suggested changes.

Student Chapter Report:

Bob Petrach talked about the student chapter.

SME has to look at more than just the ME department at colleges for student members. We are a more inclusive organization and should include students from Business, Industrial Engineering, "Lean" programs and Computer Science. Note that it was the "School of Education and Human

Services" at OU that helped us do the January Program with Jamie Flinchbaugh.

We need more faculty support and to expand the student membership.

Old Business:

Bob Petrach asked if anyone took advantage of the IMTS bus trip. No one had.

Bob asked in his Chairman's message if the Oakland Macomb chapter should cease operations and fold into Detroit Chapter One as the Oakland Macomb chapter seemed to not have the participation or volunteer leaders necessary to continue. The response from chapter members, while limited, was that we should continue to operate as a stand-alone chapter. Several

more volunteers stepped forward and we offer more to our members by standing on our own. (While still sharing with the geographically adjoining chapters - as always, they are welcome at out events and we are at theirs.)

New Business:

Bob talked about joining with Chapter One for the Installation Dinner. There was a motion by Stuart Selis and second by Alan Wolfe, approved, to have the dinner with SME Chapter One.

The dinner will be at The Gazebo in Warren on Tuesday, December 16, 2008.

Bob Petrach talked about the leadership conference in Dearborn next year and that our Chapter is to help out.

 

A motion adjourned the meeting from Alan Wolfe, seconded by Viktor Astakhov at 7:50pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Alan Wolfe