SPE Membership Survey - Sections
For the past two months, I have been discussing the results of the Member Value Survey that SPE conducted earlier this year. This article is the third installment in the series, and is likely the most important of all to Section leaders, as I will be discussing some of the main findings of the Section areas of the report. Next month’s article will cover the Division areas.

Although nearly all SPE members belong to a local Section, a substantial number (34.1%) say they are not Section members or are unsure of their Section membership status. Section membership awareness has declined since the 1998 survey, with the number saying they are Section members dropping from 78.3% to the present level of 61.8%. Article.

Executive Director

June 2007 Financial Report
The June financial dashboard and consolidated income statement are attached. Not much has changed in terms of the overall picture for SPE. SPE has experienced a good ANTEC, but has consistently had poor results for Plastics Engineering magazine this year, which is bringing down the overall financial picture for SPE. In addition, there have been slower than projected schedules and attendance at the early-year SPE seminars and e-Live™ presentations. These are showing better progress as we head into the second half of this year. Advertising revenues for Plastics Engineering are also picking up for July through December, but are still significantly off budget. Report.

Are You Using the Right Application?
Using an “old” membership application in your newsletter or membership recruitment activities can cause confusion for joining members. Dues have increased and updated applications are now available.

Click to download the current Section application or Division application. These applications are also posted on the membership area of the leadership services webpage and the newsletter editor resource page.

ANTEC™ 2008 and Plastics Encounter
SPE and Plastics News will again co-locate their events in 2008. The combined conference and exhibition will be held at the Midwest Express Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from May 4 through May 8. For developing information, please visit the ANTEC website or the Plastics Encounter website. The abstract deadline is October 15, and the paper submission deadline is December 3. An abstract is not required in order to submit a paper.

ANTEC Abstract and Paper Deadlines
The abstract submission site is now open. For more information on the ANTEC 2008 Technical Program, click here.

Start the Nomination Process Now!
It’s not too early to start the nomination process for Fellows and Honored Service Members of SPE – or to nominate someone you know for one of the SPE Annual Awards. Applications for these award/recognition programs are available on the SPE website – and we encourage you to download the applications and start the nomination process this summer.

Husky Section Education Awards
This year, as the recipient of the 2007 Husky Education Award, the Australia-New Zealand Section received $5,000 to work on four projects that support young people seeking a career in the plastics industry.

Does your Section have an idea for a program you’d like to do but can’t quite afford? Then be sure to download an application for the 2008 Husky Section Education Award, start talking about it at your summer board meeting, and complete and submit the application as required. Who knows? Maybe next year, you’ll be taking home that $5,000 check!

2007-08 Officers and Directors
The 2007-2008 year began on July 1, and we want to ensure we have an accurate volunteer roster for your group so leaders receive pertinent information sent from SPE Headquarters. Please download our volunteer roster template from the SPE website and email the completed form to Tricia McKnight as soon as possible. The form is available on the Leadership Services web page under the category Operations/General Information.

Council First Call Issued
At the end of June, Marie Salzo sent out the First Call for the September Council Meeting, which included the attendance/proxy form, a tentative meeting schedule, and a hotel reservation form. Be sure to make your hotel reservations before the August 23rd cut-off date and return your attendance/proxy form to Marie as soon as possible.

Fall Council Bonus!
Reminder – if you are attending the Council Meeting in Irvine, CA in September, you should consider arriving a few days early to take advantage of one or more of the 23 seminars being offered at SPE’s PolyTech™ Seminar series. All seminars will be held at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, the site of the Council Meeting. Click here to check out all the seminars that are being held, and encourage a co-worker or fellow Section/Division member to register for a course as well.

The SPE Foundation Awards $120,000 in Scholarships for 2007
Congratulations are extended to the 32 young men and women who are receiving scholarships from The SPE Foundation this year. Students from 24 schools will receive from $1,000 to $8,000 this year to help them finance their educational careers. These students not only have good grades, but are also active in their schools and their communities, and most have held internships or co-ops that will help them find their “niche” in the plastics industry. Recipients.

Retention Tip of the Month
Send a personal note of thanks to members who have renewed. Though SPE Headquarters distributes a “thank you” letter via email and mail, a personalized, even handwritten, short note from the local level adds to member value. You can include a sentence or two about an upcoming event. Be sure to include your contact information. Sample letters are posted on the Leadership Services webpage, Membership section. Division letter. Section letter.

Reminder
Effective July 1, 2007, dues increased $3.00 to $118.00. Dues for student and emeritus members increased $2.00 to $30.00. Initiation fees for new and returning members remain $10.00. (See Timely Topics above.)

Have an idea to share? Email it to Tobi Gebauer.

SPE Announces Collaboration with SpecialChem
SPE has announced its collaboration with SpecialChem to support the global launch of Learning on Demand, an online service providing convenient access to recorded technical presentations given by experts on specific topics. SpecialChem delivers industry news, databases, technical information and online expert assistance to industry professionals. To learn more about SpecialChem, visit their website.

In addition to assisting in the marketing of this website, SPE will provide SpecialChem with its ongoing e-Live Presentations™ to enhance current Learning on Demand online library offerings.

Have questions or a suggestion for a presentation topic? Contact Lesley Kyle.

Need a Technical Speaker for your Meeting?
SPE maintains a list of Division members who are willing to address technical topics at Section meetings, schools, MiniTecs and conferences. To view the SPE Technical Speakers List, click here.

Nicole Woodson Joins SPE Staff
Nicole Woodson joined SPE in May as the new e-Services Manager. She brings with her many years of experience in the e-Services industry. She has worked in e-Services departments for companies such as MDA Direct Marketing, Aptimus, Inc. and the Poughkeepsie Journal, to name a few.

Nicole has been married for 8 years and enjoys shopping, reading, interior design and decorating.

Employment Anniversaries
Congratulations are extended to SPE staff celebrating employment anniversaries this month: Nancy Herdegen (11 years).