Dear Colleagues:

Many of you know that I am your current ASME Southeast District Leader. I am really just a guy from the Florida Section, who works in industry and is trying to help you support your Sections. Other's of you have just been elected by your peers to your leadership position and are just learning about the Global Communities Sector of ASME, where you fit in and how we can support your Section operations. I would suggest that you take a trip to our webpage listed below and take a look. The last group are those that have rotated out of your leadership position and are wondering why you are still getting this email. ASME had a policy of vacating all Section leadership positions every July 1st and start waiting for the new officer codings to (hopefully) start rolling in. Many of us thought this was silly so we got them to change it. The old officer list is stays posted until the new one is posted. So, you need to get the current Chair to do the following:
A) Go to the Unit Leadership Resource Center at http://volunteer.asme.org/unit, then to "Section Officers & Committees Information Form" and follow the instructions;
B) Or send a list of officers (please include full name and position) to unitsupport@asme.org.
C) Or fax a full list of officers to 212-591-7671

Now if you have rotated out of your leadership position and still want to keep getting the District Leader Updates, just send me an mail. I will add you to the Past Leader List and continue to send them to you. The District Leader Updates are also posted on our webpage.

There has been so much of interest happening in the Southeast District that I keep delaying writing you because there is just one more good thing right around the corner. Well, they are still coming, but for now,

I have three quick thoughts that will be of use to you.

Southeast District Web-Cast Monday August 20 at 8:00pm EDT

We will be sending out specific information next week. This is a good way to let you know what's coming in the way of District programs, introduce the District Operating Board, review Merit Funding or Revitalization Funding if your Section needs it, voluntary member contributions to your Section through dues, and the support the Southeast District Trust can provide to you, plus introduce an enhanced support structure out of New York. Please set aside the time to join in. We plan to cover everything in an hour but will stay on-line until the last question is addressed.

Merit Funding

The Merit Funding forms must be submitted no later than October 1, 2007. The forms can be found on the Unit Leadership Resource Center at http://volunteer.asme.org/unit under "Section Merit Funding Form." You can use the new forms that are separated by districts OR last year's form (whichever gives you the higher score.) This is your choice. Personally I would use the one that gives my Section the best score, but that's just me. Send your merit funding forms to unitsupport@asme.org or meritfunding@asme.org. You will receive an acknowledgment when the form is logged in. You must also file your financial and budget forms to be eligible for merit funding. These forms are located on the same web page under "Unit Operation Budget/Plan & Annual Financial Report." The deadline for filing these forms is Sept. 1, 2007. You can send the forms to unitsupport@asme.org. Section Leaders, you really need to do this - SOON.

New Contact and Administrative Help for the Southeast District

For that last couple years everybody has been calling Burt Dicht, the Managing Director ASME Knowledge and Community Sector for everything. Burt has been juggling allot of requests. As of July, The Great International Southwest and Rocky Mountain District E and Southeast District F have their own dedicated point of contact - Lee Hawkins. Call Lee for questions and help. Really - call him!

Keep this contact information:
Lee A. Hawkins, Senior Program Manager
ASME Global, Technical and Affinity Communities
1710 Audrey Drive - Garland TX 75040
(972) 414-3260 (Voice) (972) 414-3268 (FAX) HawkinsL@asme.org

Jessica Albert (albertj@asme.org), who you go to for administrative help is getting some relief in the near future too. ASME is starting to Beta test a new on-line tool called "Netkeeper" where you will be able to enter your request for administrative help and actually track on-line what the progress is. Apparently I get to be one of the Beta testers and as Don Baldwin, our Southeast District Communications Group Chair will gladly tell you, if Richard can use it, anybody can use it. (I have the computer help-line number at work memorized.)

Best of luck as your program year moves ahead.

Remember that you will be asked to identify which one of your leaders will be going to the Leadership Training Conference 2008 in Atlanta (Renaissance Concourse hotel near the airport) March 6th through 9th early in the year so you need to figure out who is going. It's Atlanta - come on, every Section needs to sent at least someone! For those of you close to University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) or University of Virginia, please volunteer to help those Sections with the Student Leadership Seminars next month. It can be a lot of fun. I know I'm going.

Richard