Mid-Term Check-Up

摘要

The start of the new calendar year is a time of new beginnings. Many companies and industry segments look to the new year with the hope and anticipation of a strengthening economy and a strong outlook for their business. Businesses have developed their budgets, forecasts and action plans for the year ahead. NOW is the time to "execute." SAMPE, on the other hand, is midway through our fiscal year. Back in mid-2002 we had set a course for the 2002-2003 fiscal year. We established the priorities for the Society and set Action Plans. I would like to give you, the membership, a mid-term update on our progress and offer my thoughts on our plans for the months and years ahead. For the past two years, the SAMPE Leadership has focused much of its attention on getting the society back on solid financial ground. We have been successful in gaining better control of our spending without any compromise in the service to members, the quality of our conferences and publications or our commitment to education. My emphasis for this current year is to build on that solid foundation and grow the society. After several years of industry consolidations, reductions in membership and no growth in our Exhibition, it is time for specific ACTION to re-energize SAMPE. The Society still plays a critical role in providing a unique forum for scientists, engineers, academicians and suppliers to exchange information. SAMPE must be ready to do things differently in order to better serve our membership in today's changing environment. Let me give you some specific examples of SAMPE's progress.