Chairperson's Message
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Honors & Past Chairmen Night
DIVERSITY ! !
I think this is the one word that best describes what today's ASM is about. We live in an ever-changing world. No longer does ASM concentrate solely on traditional metals. Approximately 20 years ago, the "M" in ASM changed from Metals to Materials. Although metals still are a major concentration, we now also deal with composites, ceramics, semi-conductor metalization, and many other non-traditional materials.
In the not-too-distant past, the Philadelphia area had many large manufacturing companies, each employing dozens of people involved with materials. They were all potential ASM members and became the backbone of the membership in our chapter. We are lucky enough to still have a few of these types of companies such as SPS and Boeing. However, the majority of our existing and potential members are from hundreds of small companies representing many diverse industries. It is a major challenge to identify these companies and recruit new members to ASM.
Due to the many factors such as mergers, acquisitions, and foreign competition, dynamics in the workplace has changed dramatically. We now rarely see anyone spend their entire career with one or two companies. My father worked more than 40 years at E.H. Houghton. I have been fortunate enough to work 20 plus years with two different companies. This is in contrast with my daughter, a class of 2000 college graduate. She recently started her fourth job, since graduation. This constant movement in the workplace represents another challenge in maintaining our membership.
One-income households are vanishing quickly. This creates family pressure, which for many people precludes active membership in ASM or any other professional society. This is yet another challenge to overcome.
I have been an ASM member for 20 years. Although I have always regularly attended meetings, I only became active in chapter operations four years ago during Don Jordan's term as chairperson. I was and still am amazed at the level of competence and dedication of the members of the executive and operating committees. I have derived great satisfaction in working with such a great team and wish I had become more involved years earlier.
We are a chapter with a proud tradition of excellence. We face many challenges, particularly in sustaining and hopefully increasing our membership. On the positive side, we have a great nucleus of members willing to do whatever it takes to maintain the superior reputation of our chapter. A perfect example was last year when we conducted our first materials camp. The efforts of many dedicated individuals made it an overwhelming success.
I am particularly encouraged by the recent influx of involved younger members. I invite you all to become active members. Do not wait as long as I did. You will enjoy the experience. I am honored to have been selected to lead this chapter in the 2006-2007 year, and I am fortunate to have a dynamic team of officers to help me. With their dedicated assistance I am confident that I will be successful in leading the chapter to continued excellence.
I want to thank Travis Nelson, our outgoing chairperson, for giving the chapter a year and a half of exemplary leadership. He proved himself mature beyond his years. Travis and I are a perfect example of our diversity. He is young and early in his evolving career. I am more seasoned (sounds better than old) and winding down my career. He has a technical education and has acquired business and management skills. I have a business management education, and have acquired technical knowledge. Travis will be a tough act to follow, but with the help of our dedicated membership and team of officers, I will do my best to keep our chapter on the path of excellence.
Tom Reid
2006-07 ASM Liberty Bell Chapter Chairman
Outgoing Chairman's Message
Greetings and Salutations, Philadelphia's ASM Chapter!
This will be my last message to you as Chairman, and I have appreciated the positive feedback I've received regarding some of my words in this space. In retrospect, it appears that my trepidation over taking the helm of the S.S. Liberty Bell Chapter was somewhat unwarranted, if only because it turns out that I had about two dozen First Mates on the Executive and Operating committee to help me steer. And steer we did. Through the rocky rapids of Emergency Interim Chairman Reef, into the uncharted Sea of Local Materials Camp, around the Cape of Last-Minute Speaker for National Officer's Night, through the Strait of Industrial Tours and into the Cove of Sustaining Members, we've certainly had a great trip. Thanks for staying on-board!
Now venturing into our second Materials Camp at Drexel University, Vice Chairman and Materials Camp Chairman Howard Cheetham, who truly has been my right hand and more in many respects this year, has sought help from members and companies and has gotten support from many of you (though donations are always needed and still welcome). It is hoped and planned that this venture will become a permanent part of the landscape for the Philadelphia ASM Chapter, but that will only be feasible with your continued support in time, energy, money and materials. Somewhat sadly, Howard will be "jumping ship" at the end of this ASM year, heading to North Carolina, where I'm sure he will find ways to serve the Carolinas Central Chapter of ASM as ably and enthusiastically as he has served ours. Best wishes to him.
My thanks to all of you who have supported and participated in events that ASM has put together this year, and especially to those who have served on or and/or chaired any of our many operating committees. There is no better way to get more from your ASM Membership than to give to ASM, a lesson I hope that more of us will have to opportunity to learn in the coming year, under incoming Chairman Tom Reid.
It has been a pleasure and a learning experience to serve you in the past year.
Sincerely,
Travis M. Nelson
2005-06 Chairman
This Month's Meeting Features...
Dinner Menu: Buffet - Choice of: Sliced Roast Top Sirloin of Beef, Stuffed Shells, Baked Fresh Salmon w/Dill Sauce Stuffed Breast of Chicken, Fresh Garden Salad, Oven Browned Potatoes, Broccoli Au Gratin, Chocolate Sundae
Social Hour -- 6:00-7:00 p.m., Dinner -- 7:00 p.m.
Price -- $24.00, Retirees -- $15.00, Students -- $12.00
Technical Chairperson: Roger Jones, Solar Atmospheres, Inc.
Meeting Sponsors: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
This Month's Meeting Topic... Honors and Past Chairmen Night
ASM members who have devoted their time and energy to the Liberty Bell Chapter will be thanked at the Honors and Past Chairmen Night. The Awards Committee selects the award recipients, the Chapter Chairperson makes his selection for the PresidentŐs Award and the Scholarship Committee chooses the Scholarship winners. The contributions of Chapter members and Past Chairmen are recognized at this final general meeting of the year.
Upcoming Events. . .
Thursday 4-20-06, Sustaining Members Night, Topic: Development & Marketing of "All Wheel Drive", Williamson Restaurant, Horsham, PA 6:00 pm
Friday 4-28-06 Tour Battleship New Jersey/Opening Night Game Camden River Sharks Baseball, Camden, New Jersey, 4:00 pm
Saturday 5-6-06, Spring Dinner Dance, Old York Road Country Club, details to follow in newsletter
Thursday 5-18-06, Honors & Past Chairmen Night, Dedicated to All Past Chairpersons, Williamson Restaurant, Horsham, PA 6:00 pm
Monday 6-5-06, Golf Outing, Limekiln Golf Club; Registration begins at 7 am
Spring Dinner Dance
The Spring Dinner Dance is scheduled for Saturday, May 6th at 6:00 pm at the Old York Road Country Club. This annual event is always the highlight of our social program for the year. It is an evening of wonderful food and beverages with dancing until late into the evening. The cost is $50.00 per person, please contact Jamie Jones at 215-721-1502x205 or jaj@solaratm.com.
19th Annual Golf Outing - Monday, June 6, 2005
Limkiln Golf Club - 1776 Limekiln Pike, Ambler, PA
Registration - 7:00 a.m., Golf - 8:00 a.m. (Shotgun Start), Buffet - 1:30 p.m.
This event will be hosted by The Greater Philadelphia Section of ASNT and will be a joint outing with the Liberty Bell Chapter of ASM International. It has been scheduled and reservations are now being taken. The cost of this outing is only $95.00, if paid by May 25, 2006, $100.00 if paid after May 25, 2006. Price includes golf fees, golf cart, buffet, refreshments, and prizes. Hole Sponsors are being sought for this event at all holes. The cost of becoming a Hole Sponsor is only $85.00. A "Sponsor Sign" is included in the cost and will be displayed at your hole.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: WIN A SET OF GOLF CLUBS!!
Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive, Putting Contest
For more information, please contact Anthony Gatti at (215) 824-4000.
Brandywine ASM Chapter QVC
Jim Cirilli, our speaker at the February meeting and a member of the Brandywine ASM Chapter, has extended an invitation for Philadelaphia ASM members and their spouses to join the Brandywine chapter on a tour of QVC on May 10th. It starts at 3 pm and includes dinner. QVC is a TV studio for a shopping network, located in the western suburbs. If you are interested contact Jim at James.Cirilli@pseg.com.
Materials Camp 2006
Materials Camp 2006 will run from July 10-14th at Drexel University. Click [HERE] to download the application or just click the link on any page of our Chapter website. Please pass this on to any High School students and teachers that you know.
We wish to thank our corporate sponsors for this event:
Bronze sponsorship
Steel sponsorship
Individual Sponsors
Delaware Valley Science Fairs
Delaware Valley Science Fairs Competition
Each year, the ASM International Foundation sponsors four awards for the "Most Outstanding Exhibits in Material Science at the Delaware Valley Science Fairs. At this year's fair, held April 5-7, 2006, the four award recipients were:
Mark LaSorda, Methacton High School, "Tensile Properties of Thermoplastic and Thermoset Materials", Grade 12
Shaun McElhinney, Abington High School, "Testing the Heat Characteristics of Roofing Material", Grade 11
Evan Meyer, Central High School (Philadelphia), "Comparing Wet Impregnation of Copper Nitrate to Molten Salt Infiltration of Copper Nitrate in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells", Grade 10.
Franz Sauer, High Technology High School (New Jersey), "Maglaunch, A Magnetic Levitation Launch Assist System", Grade 10
These projects were chosen from 62 projects identified as materials-related. The winners will receive a certificate and medal from the ASM Foundation. All the students with materials-related projects will be sent brochures with information about this June's Materials Camp.
Our chapter supplied four judges: Howard Cheetham, John Janiszewski, and Ken Moyer judged the ASM special award; Frank Boyle led the team judging the Grades 6-8 engineering category. Volunteers to judge this competition are always welcome; for more information, contact John Janiszewski at jjaniszewski@ltk.com.
2006 High School Essay Winners
Each Winner will receive a $100 Check:
Luke Giordano, Bishop McDevitt HS, Philadelphia
Julian Stepanuk, Springside School, Philadelphia
Julian Fuller, Woodstown High School, Monroeville, NJ
Mission Statement
The Philadelphia "Liberty Bell" Chapter of ASM International supports the development and continuance of the materials industry in the Philadelphia area. Chapter activities strive to inform the local technical community of new developments in materials, raise the visibility of the materials industry, provide educational opportunities in materials technology, recruit new people and organizations into materials-related activities, and provide networking opportunities for members of the materials community. The Chapter works with ASM International to use our joint resources to accomplish this mission.
Changes To Your Membership Information
Any Chapter Member who needs to make a change to their membership listing or to their company affiliation listing must call Membership Service, ASM International at 1-800-336-5152 or use the ASM website at www.asminternational.org. This will permanently update your information.
We depend on ASM International to receive our updated mailing list for this newsletter. So please do not sent information to the return address on this newsletter.
Meeting Cancellation Notification
In the event of cancellation of a meeting due to inclement weather, we will broadcast the news as part of KYW News radio's (1060AM) Storm Center Service. ASM cancellations will be specifically announced when KYW airs community cancellations at :20 and :50 past each hour during the afternoon of the day of the meeting. ASM's name will be specifically mentioned, so listen for the name rather than an organization number as is used for schools.
Meeting Registration
Register to attend our meeting on our website www.asm-philadelphia.com. If you have a large group attending or do not have access to the website, please contact Rob DeKalb at 215-542-7600 to register.
Do you have news...
that should be shared with the other members of the "Liberty Bell" Chapter? If so, please email your info to Anna Whitehead at aj.whitehead@att.net. Be sure to add the phrase "Item to add to the ASM Chapter newsletter" in the subject line. We'll be sure to include it in the next monthly Chapter newsletter.
For more info about the ASM Liberty Bell Chapter. . .
Contact Chapter Chairperson Travis M. Nelson at 215-631-7111 x 103 or email: tnelson@materialsresources.com.
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Most recent update: 4/18/06 © Copyright 1997-2006, Philadelphia Liberty Bell Chapter
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