News Detail

ACI’s “Sustainable” Resource—Our Members

7/1/2014

What makes ACI one of the foremost organizations actively advancing technology? It’s the people, of course! It’s the people who come to ACI conventions and chapter meetings; the people who sit on committees that write ACI’s codes, standards, specifications, and documents; the people who review and provide comments on many of those publications; and the people who work as staff members, helping to organize those meetings and publish those documents. Yes, we’re all the people who help produce the high-quality technical information for which ACI is so well known.

But the big question is: How do we sustain our momentum? Where do we find the next generation of bright people to volunteer their time to the process? Actually, they are already with us—they’re the young professionals in the design offices and at the construction sites, people who currently use ACI products but don’t yet feel qualified to participate in their production; they’re the chapter members, people who are great local resources; or they’re the newcomers at ACI conventions, people who may be there to take advantage of the technical program to pick up a few continuing education units (or simply to see what ACI is all about). We need to acknowledge these people, as they are the individuals who will sustain the development of ACI’s materials in the future. There were 229 first-time attendees at the ACI Spring 2014 Convention in Reno, NV. If we can encourage and maintain their presence at future ACI conventions, our future will be bright indeed!

I have often told the story of my first convention, walking into a technical committee meeting and feeling so intimidated. I felt like there was no way I could contribute. Fortunately, an individual stepped forward to introduce himself. At that meeting, ACI Honorary Member Chuck Salmon (who we recently learned has passed away) introduced himself and befriended me. He made me feel that it was okay for me to be there and contribute. Then, ACI Honorary Member Ed Nawy did the same. Their friendly faces and encouragement helped wipe away my self-imposed intimidation. I never forgot those first meetings with both of them. And at every convention thereafter, they always sought me out—often just to talk about things outside of concrete—but for a new person, those encounters meant everything and kept me coming back.

At every convention, there is and will be a group of new people looking to contribute to and sustain our legacy. As a participant of many of the first-time convention attendee breakfasts held at the ACI convention, I know there are so many people there who really want to contribute but don’t quite know how or where to begin or even if they have the knowledge to contribute. But all they really need is a friendly face and someone to talk to about the process. And an act of kindness won’t stop there. Those new people can often be the goodwill ambassadors that might encourage the young professionals and chapter members back home to attend conventions and participate in the process themselves.

One commonality with ACI people is their passion about being involved with the Institute’s work. It’s a feeling that is often contagious, but it can’t spread without a smile. So I’m asking you to remember that there will be many people at your next convention who want to contribute but don’t know how yet.

When you see a new person, put yourself in their shoes and think back to your first convention and how you felt those years ago. Make an effort to say hello. Present that new attendee with a friendly face to chat with. Of course, share your passion about concrete technology and spread the excitement that is at the core of ACI activities at a convention. But don’t forget to get to know them. By doing so, you may very well be that one person who encourages an individual to return to become an active volunteer and help sustain our legacy for the future.

William E. Rushing Jr.