News Detail

Camaraderie, Consensus, and Credibility

10/1/2000

In a previous President’s Memo, some key points of the strategic plan that the Board drafted in June were discussed. At that meeting, the participants were asked to define the core values of the Institute—those attributes that define us as an organization and that help describe why we want to be associated with it. The list of attributes was quite long but was shortened to the most essential. I hope you will spend a few minutes thinking about what you would list as our core values.

I would like to use this memo to share with you some thoughts on several that emerged from the strategic planning exercise as ACI’s core values: camaraderie, consensus, and credibility. They define what, I think, draws many of us to ACI, and they describe the attributes that have helped ACI develop a reputation for being a reliable source of concrete information and knowledge.

Studies indicate that associations are having difficulty recruiting new members and volunteers, and retaining current members. Members must find value in their membership. Generally, this is found through opportunities for growth and involvement that cannot be found elsewhere. Volunteering must not only provide avenues for professional advancement, but must be enjoyable as well. Certainly, the opportunity to interact with others having like interests is a key element; but such interaction also involves developing long-term friendships, understanding the spirit of cooperation, mutual respect, and compromise.

Although today’s information technology makes participation possible through electronic means, it will never, nor should it, replace the camaraderie that occurs at meetings as a result of face-to-face discussions and social interactions. As we seek to utilize the Web more, we must not forget the unique role conventions and meetings play in the conduct of ACI activities. We cannot risk losing members and volunteers who find camaraderie a key reason they keep giving their time and energy to ACI.

As we interact, we cannot help but be exposed to diverse, often strong, opinions. The "cementitious material" that binds us is compromise and consensus. ACI has always followed a rigorous consensus process for developing its codes, standards, and technical documents. Consensus is not unanimity. It is the process by which general agreement is reached on an issue—a position that all involved can live with. Compromises must be made and different points of view respected and accommodated. Everyone has a chance to be heard. As a result, ACI committee members often engage in heated technical arguments but are able to leave contentious issues behind when they leave the meeting and interact socially.

Because we are able to hear all views, compromise, and reach a consensus, our documents reflect the rich experience of our members. Information undergoes rigorous review. The process instills confidence in the content of documents, seminars, and publications that bear our logo. The value we add to the materials we develop is credibility. In order to maintain that trust and credibility, we have not let bias and political or commercial influence change our procedures.

I believe that most ACI members will share the Board’s view that these three Cs— camaraderie, consensus, and credibility—describe our core values well. I urge you to get involved in ACI in some way so that you can experience the best ACI has to offer its volunteers. If you have not been asked to participate, please consider this an invitation to do so, and contact me at: jirsa@uts.cc.utexas.edu. ACI needs you!

James O. Jirsa
President
American Concrete Institute

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