News Detail

Setting the Course for the Future

6/1/2006

In my inaugural President's Memo, I emphasized the need to be ever mindful of the changing world around us, and that it's not good enough to do things because "we-ve always done it that way." Before I expand on my presidential objectives in this memo, I would like to put the subject in proper perspective.

ACI, or any other sizeable organization, is like a large ocean-going ship. The captain's nudge to the rudder to steer the ship on a new course is not realized until several miles later. The impact of what we do this year may not be seen for several years. If ACI is to continue to be one of the best technical societies dealing with concrete, then we must constantly and wisely change course to navigate through the changing waters of the "future shock" tide that our industry is facing. The following are my objectives that I believe will set a positive course for the future:

• Develop and implement a strategy to increase ACI membership-ACI staff and the Board of Direction are working together to provide the membership with increasing value and benefits, including web-based systems such as a technical center; an E-directory with contact and expertise information; downloading of certain publications and journals each year; and allowing individuals to earn Continuing Education Units online-all of these with no cost to members. In addition, the Board has approved a pilot program to increase E-memberships in several countries and free student memberships worldwide to encourage the participation of young professionals and student members inter-nationally by bringing them targeted value and benefits;
• Enhance ACI's website-Exciting new programs are in the planning and implementation phases, including creation of a new site map; expansion of the website search capabilities; creation of a new FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section; conversion of ACI Journal Proceedings articles and older SP papers to electronic format; and changes to the website meta tags and headers for improved usage;
• Strengthen ACI's international role-Past President James Jirsa championed the international initiative that has now grown beyond anyone's expectations. Globalism is here to stay and so is ACI's leadership and partnership role with the international concrete community. Emphasis this year will be on establishing relationships with Middle Eastern countries, expanding communications with the European concrete community, and strengthening ACI's role elsewhere where good relationships are already established;
• Expand ACI's Student Fellowship program-A Student Fellowship Task Group will work to revitalize the Student Fellowship program initiated under Past President Dan Baker. There are a number of new initiatives that I believe will greatly expand this important program. A successful and prestigious Student Fellowship program will help attract the best and the brightest civil and construction engineering and construction management students to the concrete field and to ACI;
• Reach out to the concrete industry to improve participation in ACI-Being a builder, this initiative is near and dear to me. We plan to actively participate in World of Concrete and other constructor-related events of the American Shotcrete Association, American Society of Concrete Contractors, ASTM International, Design-Build Institute of America, International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI), and Tilt-Up Concrete Association. Reaching out to the practitioner has been an ACI priority because the practitioner ultimately transforms the codes, standards, and specifications into concrete reality; and
• Expand ACI's working relationships with other technical societies and organizations-Past President Anthony Fiorato started this initiative and immediate Past President James Cagley moved the effort into high gear during the past year. The Board, staff, and TAC are exploring cooperative efforts with the American Society of Civil Engineers, ASTM International, Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute, ICRI, Portland Cement Association, Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, Post-Tensioning Institute, and other technical groups. Cooperative efforts will potentially include joint committee work, joint publications and compilations, and joint seminars. The potential for this team-oriented approach is far greater than the sum of all of its individual parts.

The course is set. The rudder is nudged. Although several objectives are similar to those of the past, the details evidence a positive paradigm shift to partnerships and teamwork that represent "ideas whose time have come."

Thomas D. Verti, President
American Concrete Institute
tverti@pankow.com

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