SPE Membership Survey - Summary
My last four articles have outlined the results of the SPE all-member value survey that was completed in February this year. I want to take this opportunity to summarize the key findings from the articles and highlight some follow-on activities that SPE is engaging in as a result of this survey.

First, it is important to acknowledge that, overall, SPE’s members give us good marks on meeting their expectations. I think of us getting a solid “B” in overall approval. However, I am extremely aware that (1) such approvals are highly perishable, and all organizations need to be vigilant and innovative to retain and improve such approvals; and (2) I am simply not used to being a “B” student. I share most members’ higher expectations for us as an organization. Article.

Executive Director

August 2007 Financial Report
The August 2007 statements show a big improvement over the July statements. This is because SPE concluded a new agreement with Wiley Interscience for the publication of its journals. SPE has been co-publishing its journals with Wiley since 2003. Our agreement was up for renewal in 2008. SPE negotiated a more favorable 10-year agreement with Wiley a year ahead of schedule. As part of the agreement, Wiley provided SPE with a one-time, up-front payment of $250,000. The agreement and payment were both concluded in August and are reflected on the attached statements. As such, SPE’s deficit year-to-date has improved. However, this is a one-time event, and will not be repeated in future years. Full report.

2008 Proposed Budget
Posted for your review is a write-up for the 2008 proposed budget. It is essentially the same write-up and budget that was sent to Councilors back in July. The Executive Committee approved this budget at their meeting in August.

An online presentation on the budget was held on September 12th. The questions and feedback that came out of that session will be incorporated into the final documentation to be presented to Council at the September 29th meeting in Irvine, CA. In addition, the Finance Committee will hold an OPEN meeting in Irvine to allow Councilors to ask questions of the committee. Councilors should check the Council schedule prior to the meeting for finalized times and room assignments.

A presentation will also be made at the Council Committee-of-the-Whole and Council meetings to ensure that Councilors feel prepared to conduct a vote. We look forward to discussing this proposal with the full Council, and encourage all of you to review it now and email questions to Susan Oderwald at any time prior to the meeting.

What is Leadership e-News?
By way of information for those of you who are new to the management of an SPE Section, Division, Special Interest Group or Student Chapter, or those who sit on a Society-level committee, this newsletter is a communication vehicle for Society leadership. It is sent to every officer, committee chair, director, faculty advisor, or SPE committee member. If we know who you are, you’ll hear from us! The information contained in this newsletter is pertinent to you in your leadership role.

Feel free to use any article you find in this newsletter in your Section, Division, SIG or Student Chapter communication pieces as a way to share Society news with your members.

ANTEC Abstract Deadline Nears
Reminder: The ANTEC 2008 abstract deadline is only about a month away. Be sure to check out the abstract submission site and get your abstract in by October 15, 2007. The ANTEC 2008 paper submission deadline is December 3, 2007. An abstract is not required in order to submit a paper. For more information on the ANTEC 2008 Technical Program, click here.

ANTEC™ 2008 and Plastics Encounter @ ANTEC 2008
The combined SPE and Plastics News conference and exhibition will be held at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from May 4 through May 8. For developing information, please visit the ANTEC website or the Plastics Encounter website.

Prime Exhibition Space Moving Quickly at Plastics Encounter @ ANTEC 2008
Ensure that your company has exhibition space at the leading plastics industry event in the United States next year: Plastics Encounter @ ANTEC 2008! To learn more about exhibiting opportunities, click here.

Fellow and Honored Service Member Programs
Applications for the Fellow-of-the-Society and Honored Service Member (HSM) programs are due October 20, 2007. Please make sure you get all the required information on your candidates to SPE HQ by that date. Applications are available on the SPE website: Fellow application  HSM application

For clarification, the Fellow membership grade recognizes outstanding achievements in the field of plastics engineering, science or technology, or in the management of such activities. Honored Service Members are recognized for their demonstration of long-term, outstanding service to, and support of, the Society of Plastics Engineers and its objectives.

If you have questions about the Fellows program, please contact Marie Salzo or Gail Bristol at SPE HQ. Questions relating to the HSM program should be addressed to Tricia McKnight.

Essay Contest Underway
The 2008 “Wonders of Plastics” Essay Contest is officially underway! All SPE Sections are encouraged to work with local middle/junior high schools and senior high schools to obtain entries for the 2008 contest.

Sections should contact schools in their geographical area. Science and/or English department heads or teachers are the best contacts. Tell them about the contest, your local deadline, and the prizes for the winning entries in your Section. Be sure to note that the winning entry from your Section will be entered into the International portion of the contest, which has a first prize of $1,000 for the winning student and $1,000 for that student’s school.

Click here for information on the contest and an entry form that can be tailored to your Section, a copy of the timetable for the 2008 contest, and a score sheet to use in judging the entries you receive.

The 2007 winner in the International portion of the Essay Contest is Alexa Noxon of South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, NC. Her essay, Enthusiastic about Plastic, was sent in by the Carolinas Section.

Thanks go out to the Detroit Section for their sponsorship of the cash awards for this program.

Pinnacle Award Deadline Extended
The Pinnacle Award recognizes Sections and Divisions that successfully create and deliver member value during year. Sections and Divisions are reviewed in four categories of achievement: organization, technical programming, membership and communication. New for this year: the application deadline has been extended to December 31st. Click here to download the Pinnacle Award application. Questions about the Pinnacle program can be directed to Tricia McKnight.

Division/SIG Board Meetings
Division and Special Interest Group Chairs - Do you have a Board meeting coming up (in-person or telephone/web-based)? Don’t forget to let us know about it! An online meeting notification form is available on the SPE website or you can request a copy from Tricia McKnight.

Are You on the List?
Section and Division Leadership Rosters are due to SPE Headquarters by June 30 of each year. As of this publication, a number of reports are still pending. Click here to find out if your group still needs to send in its roster.

If your leadership roster is still pending, please download the 2007-08 Leadership Roster template as soon as possible. If you have any questions about this form, please email Tricia McKnight or contact her at +1 203-740-5430.

It’s not that you shouldn’t talk with them. In fact, it could be a terrific opportunity to talk-up SPE. It’s just that you have to be careful if they ask leading questions about SPE. More.

Fall Meeting Schedule
The Fall Council Meeting in Irvine, CA is fast approaching. Click here for the schedule of events for September 27-30th. Note: If you’re a new Councilor, there will be a special New Councilor Orientation on Friday afternoon that you should plan to attend.

Questions about any aspect of the Council Meeting should be directed to Marie Salzo at SPE HQ via email or by phone at +1 203-740-5422.

No Time To Travel? SPE Brings Training To Your Company’s Front Door
Did you know that SPE can bring recognized industry experts right to your company’s doorstep at your convenience? SPE’s faculty members are drawn from both industry and academia, and bring many years of practical and theoretical experience to the SPE In-Plant seminar program. Seminars can be tailored to focus on your organization’s needs and challenges, and offer solutions specific to your plant’s operation.

Click here to learn more, or contact Laurie McDougal, SPE Event Coordinator.

Student Chapter Awards
Could the Student Chapter at your college/university use a little extra money to accomplish its goals this year? Are your Student Chapter officers considering a special program that needs additional funding? If so, please share with them the following information on the 2008 Outstanding Student Chapter Award and the 2008 Student Chapter Education Award program.

The Outstanding Student Chapter Award is designed to provide Student Chapters an opportunity to perform a self evaluation of their efforts during the year. Those Chapters that meet a specified number of criteria will receive the award, which consists of a plaque and a $500 honorarium from the SPE Thermoforming Division, the award sponsor.

The 2008 Student Chapter Education Award is sponsored by Chase Plastic Services, Inc. Student Chapters must provide detailed information on a program/project they plan to accomplish with the award funds. The recipient will receive a plaque and a $2,500 honorarium.

Questions about the Outstanding Student Chapter Award should be addressed to Tricia McKnight. For questions about the Student Chapter Education Award, contact Laurie McDougal.

NSF Summer Funding Opportunities for U.S. Graduate Students
The East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes (EAPSI) at the National Science Foundation (NSF) recently announced their Summer 2008 study abroad program. This program allows U.S. graduate students in science and engineering a unique opportunity to study abroad with foreign researchers (in Australia, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, or Taiwan) for 8 weeks during the summer.

Please share information on this program with students at your university who might want to apply for this NSF program. Click here for a flyer you can reproduce for your departmental bulletin board. For additional information, check out the EAPSI website or contact Dr. Andrew S. Backe at NSF.

2008 Scholarship Application Available
The SPE Foundation 2008 Scholarship brochure/application is available for interested students who will be attending college in the 2008-2009 school year. General Foundation Scholarships range up to $4,000/year. Special Scholarships requiring specific knowledge or background range up to $7,500/year.

Students with specific knowledge or experience in blow molding, extrusion or thermoforming should be encouraged to apply for these scholarships:

Blow Molding Division Memorial Scholarships – up to two awards of $8,000 (payable over 2 years) will be made. Applicants must be completing the second year of a 4-year undergraduate plastics engineering program and be a member of an SPE Student Chapter.

Extrusion Division/Lew Erwin Memorial Scholarship – One award of $2,500 is made each year to support undergraduate or graduate research in the field of polymer extrusion. Applicants must be working on a Senior or MS project which the scholarship will help support.

Thermoforming Division Memorial Scholarships – Multiple scholarships up to $7,500 are awarded annually to graduate or undergraduate students, including those enrolled in associate or technical degree programs.

Applications for these, and all other Foundation scholarships, are available on the Foundation website or can be requested from Gail Bristol at SPE HQ. The application deadline is January 15, 2008.

Help Us Reach You - Update Your Member Profile Online
We need your help to ensure your contact information in our files is as accurate as possible. Please review your member profile by logging on to your SPE account and selecting the “edit my profile” button. Your user ID is your SPE member ID number (this number is located on your member ID card) and your password is your last name (unless you previously logged on and changed it).

Kudos
Kudos go out this month to Ron Minke, Chair-elect of the Product Design and Development Division. Ron contacted his Division members to remind them that they can view and edit their contact information online.

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

SPE Organizes Technical Events at K’Show 2007
SPE has organized a series of fundamental- to intermediate-level training courses (seminars) for thermoforming, injection molding, plastic additives and failure analysis to be held at the K’Show this October. To learn more, click here. Conferences on extrusion and injection molding will be presented as well.

If you’ll be attending the show, don’t forget to visit the SPE stand, which is located in Hall 11, E21! We look forward to seeing you there.

Financial Reporting Deadline is Approaching
Treasurers, don’t forget that the November 15 financial reporting deadline is quickly approaching. Please visit the Treasurer Resources Page to learn more about these reporting requirements. If you have any questions about financial reports, email Tricia McKnight or contact her at +1 203-740-5430.

SPE Event Management Staff Additions
Peter Boergermann has rejoined SPE as Technical Program Coordinator. In this role, he assists Division/SIG Technical Program Chairs, authors and reviewers throughout the ANTEC paper submission and review process.

Elizabeth Reagan (formerly Mitchell) has also rejoined SPE as Online Program Developer, and oversees SPE’s e-Live™ Presentations.

Employment Anniversaries
Congratulations are extended to SPE staff celebrating employment anniversaries this month: Gail Bristol (26 years), Maria Russo (2 years).

In Memoriam
We are saddened to announce the passing of Michelle O’Donnell, former Conference Manager for SPE (1992-2001). During her tenure, Michelle was responsible for all aspects of ANTEC planning and execution. She also worked with Sections and Divisions on conference scheduling, logistics and management, and set up and managed the details of SPE Council meetings. Michelle was a cancer survivor for 17 years, and succumbed on August 21, 2007, to a recurrence of the disease.