West Michigan Chapter of the ASSE

Here is information from the ASSE:
Dear Chapter Presidents -
As of this week, the security protocols for Officer Central have been changed. Please be advised that all members of ASSE will now be able to access the materials located on Officer Central, with the continued exception of the chapter rosters. The security protocols for the rosters remain the same-only Chapter Presidents, Secretaries and Membership Chairs will be able to search and create a roster of their chapter from Officer Central. This change has been made with the support of the Council on Member and Region Affairs for several reasons; 1) to let ASSE members gain a clearer understanding of the connection between ASSE leadership and the mission and vision
of the organization, 2) to potentially offer a recruiting tool to Chapter officers to help them with their succession planning efforts and 3) to allow members consistent and appropriate access to the governance documents and reporting records of their chapter. This latest innovation to the ASSE website leads the way to some dramatic changes you will be seeing to Officer Central in the months ahead which are intended to make this site more user friendly, up to date and of greater value to our ASSE leadership. Please share this information with your members. And, if you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me.
Best wishes,
Susan Lewis, PhD
Manager, Chapter/Student Services
American Society of Safety Engineers
847-768-3403

SAFETY PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR (SPY)
Here’s Your Chance to Nominate a Safety Professional of the Year. Nominations are now being received for the West Michigan Chapter of The American Society of Safety Engineer's Safety Person of The Year Award. This is one of the most important awards a safety professional can receive as it is bestowed by one’s peers and is meant to recognize outstanding service to the profession and the Chapter. April 30 is the deadline to nominate a deserving safety professional for WM-ASSE Safety Professional of the Year. Please e-mail your nomination, and provide a short description as to why that person should be selected, to Pat Knight at pat.knight@wwwinc. Even if you are not sure your person will win, nomination is a great way to recognize a fellow professional that is doing an extraordinary job! Nominations take only a few minutes and the rewards can be great.

Ergonomics Training
The University of Michigan, Center for Ergonomics is planning to offer a 2-day introductory ergonomics course in Ann Arbor, MI on June 12-13, 2008. Through CET Grant funds from the State of Michigan, scholarships are available to people from small and medium sized Michigan companies. People from small and medium sized Michigan companies can attend the course for $75 (instead of the full $475 registration fee), which certainly is a bargain! The following link will take you to more information on the course and a brochure with a registration form you can download.

http://www.engin.umich.edu/dept/ioe/COHSE/ergoprinciples.html

ASSE Dues Increase Proposal
SENT ON BEHALF OF: MICHAEL THOMPSON, PRESIDENT AND HOD CHAIR April 1, 2008

Dear Delegate:
This mailing contains a ballot seeking your approval of a change in membership dues. As a Delegate, your vote is important in determining the outcome of this motion. The request for a change in society membership dues would increase them from the current $120 per year to $149 per year, a $29 increase. The Society’s Finance Committee and your Board of Directors have unanimously approved this proposal and they urge you to do the same.
The needs of our members are outpacing our ability to raise revenue and reduce costs. We must strengthen the Society by enhancing members professionalism and improving effectiveness and importance to their organizations. We must conduct additional research,
expand the Future Leaders conference, increase support to the chapters and regions, expand efforts in government affairs and regulatory, expand technical and research areas, expand voluntary technical standards initiatives, grow electronic delivery of educational programs, develop specialty educational programs, develop new communication and networking tools, implement programs to increase awareness of the SH&E profession, expand services to global members, support the growth of NAOSH week and expand "Safety as good business. Historically, growth in non-dues revenue has driven successful financial performance, with highly successful annual professional development conference the main contributing factor. We are financially vulnerable if we depend upon revenue sources that fluctuate with events beyond our control. The consumer price index has risen by 20% since the last dues increase and if Society dues were to keep up with inflation, we would need to raise dues by $40. Based on projected financial performance, dues -and non-dues revenue growth, expected investment returns and historical Society dues increases (last dues increase in 1999), a dues increase is needed. The Finance Committee and Board of Directors recommend that the delegates approve this increase to enhance the Society’s ability to serve its members. Attached is a white paper that defines new and expanded services as well as additional background information. In addition, attached is a "most frequently asked questions document as a response to any potential questions. We thank you for your consideration relative to this very important initiative.
To further communicate the justification of a dues increase, Michael W. Thompson and Darryl C. Hill will host two webinars one on April 10, 2008 at 1:00 PM CDT (2:00 EDT) and the other on April 17, 2008 at 1:00 PM CDT (2:00 PM EDT) and all Delegates are encouraged to attend. Society Officers will review where we must expand existing services, develop new services and discuss the financial background relative to this proposal. This webinar will be recorded for those unable to participate in the live session. We have sent this ballot electronically in an effort to streamline the process for those Delegates who choose to vote electronically. Please reply electronically OR by mail depending upon your preference. Please do NOT send in two replies. Ballots must be postmarked/e-mailed by May 16, 2008.