Cycles

7/1/2012

I recently had the privilege of participating in the College of Engineering graduation at the University of Michigan. It's an exciting event with a full range of emotions. Young people are completing one phase of their lives and embarking upon the next. Clearly there is joy in saying "mission accomplished," but there are some anxious feelings about facing tomorrow's new challenges.

In many respects, the officer transitions we go through within ACI are very similar to graduation exercises. For the outgoing officers, there is pride and honor in what has been accomplished. For the incoming officers, there is both excitement and apprehension. Most new officers and committee Chairs are confident of their abilities, but a little fearful of what unknown challenges may lie ahead.

ACI goes through its leadership transitions at the end of the Spring Convention. New committee Chairs are promoted, new members are added to the Board of Direction, and a new President starts his or her 1-year term. Similar transitions occur with all of the ACI Chapters, usually in the spring as the annual cycle of programs and meetings is coming to an end. I'm sure the new leaders at all levels within ACI are well-prepared and confident, but also a little nervous about keeping everything on course.

I recently attended a Chapter Roundtable in Phoenix, AZ, and had a chance to interact with many relatively new Chapter Officers and local Board members. They were an enthusiastic group and anxious to have a positive impact on the operation of their respective Chapters. For these new Chapter Officers and all of the new committee Chairs, Board members, and officers at the national level, these first few months in office are very important for having a successful year.

You may actually have more free time now than you will have in the coming months. It's a good opportunity to do some creative work by making contacts with other new officers and committee members, as well as maintaining contacts with former leaders. You might want to initiate small group interactions to define a few key goals that you will passionately pursue. In doing this, it's good to have some personal goals, but your main emphasis should be on the long-term goals of your organization or committee. In all of your pursuits, strive for excellence and integrity.

One of the biggest issues discussed at the Chapter Roundtable—and something that is a significant issue for all ACI committees and boards—is how to get enthusiastic participation from your membership. For the group attending the Roundtable, this seemed to be a particular concern with respect to getting younger members excited about what is happening within their chapters. Many chapters held golf outings or other social events, like attending a professional ballgame, to create excitement and camaraderie among their members.

To create interest among the younger members at the national level, ACI has put together the Student and Young Professional Activities Committee. There is plenty of enthusiastic participation at those committee meetings and I believe it's because those young people feel ownership for what the committee is doing and trying to achieve. Not surprisingly, that same rule applies to ACI activities and meetings at all levels. The most exciting committee meetings during ACI Conventions are those where there is time in the agenda for more open discussion between the committee members. In some cases, presentations are made or a brainstorming session is scheduled to generate discussion on what topics or committee documents the membership wants to develop over the next few years. If the members believe they have ownership in the future plans for the committee, they will be more passionate about their participation.

So, as many of you "graduate" into new leadership roles, be mindful to use your time and that of your colleagues wisely. Consider seeking more enthusiastic participation from your colleagues by giving them the opportunity to make real decisions and have an influence on where your particular committee or other governing body is going in the future.

James K. Wight
American Concrete Institute

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