The Run to 2020

Comments from the Executive Director | November-December 2017

BG Joe Schroedel, SAME Executive DirectorIt has been a busy fall as we prepare for the 2017 SAME Federal Small Business Conference for the A/E/C Industry, Nov. 15-17 in Pittsburgh. During that week, we will hold the second annual CEO Round Table and the fall Board of Direction meeting, where we will assess the Society’s progress in ensuring we are focused on the achieving the goals and objectives of the 2020 SAME Strategic Plan.

We are just getting started on the run to 2020. The National Board of Direction will be devising specific ways for regions and Posts to get all members—new and old—engaged in SAME’s Centennial!

To help paint the picture for the next three years and where we want to be, here are two quotes, one real and one fictitious:

September 2017: Philadelphia Post Awards Night (actual).

Jeff York is being recognized for Extraordinary Efforts in Maintaining and Advancing the Objectives of the Post.

Jeff’s Comments: “I was new to SAME in 2002 and was asked to help plan and run part of JETC, which the Post was running that year. I didn’t realize it was going to be a full-time job—but after it was over, I enjoyed working with the Post people so much that I have stayed active for the last 15 years.”

September 2032: Every SAME Post Awards Night (predicted).

Maj. Jane Doe, USA, is being recognized for Extraordinary Efforts in Maintaining and Advancing the Objectives of the Post.

Jane’s Comments: “I was new to SAME in 2017 and was asked to help plan part of the SAME Centennial in which every Post participated to help the Society achieve our 2020 vision. I was given the opportunity to participate to the extent that I was able. It was a fun and meaningful journey, and after it was over, I enjoyed working with the people so much that I became more active and have enjoyed the last 15 years.”

In a volunteer organization like ours, TIME will always be the coin of the realm. We need to continue to maximize every volunteer minute to produce the impact that we seek.

 

STRATEGIC PLAN PROGRESS

As we approach 2020, there are several initiatives intended to support Posts and government and industry partners.

SAME’s strategic partnerships are designed to provide locally focused opportunities for Posts. Help motivate local chapters of our national partners to join your Post’s events and programs!

National Foundation. The SAME Foundation has initiated a 120-day test of the Post Funds Policy, with six Posts (two large, two medium and two small) volunteering to place their scholarship funds in the hands of the Foundation for management. We look forward to sharing their experiences with the rest of the Society, as we continue to increase and refine the support that SAME provides to its Posts nationally.

Issues Workshops. The Charleston Post and the Pacific Region recently held Issues Workshops that convened a broad range of industry and government leadership to tackle real challenges and concerns that members in those areas brought to the forefront. Issues Workshops are a key aspect of SAME’s Industry-Government Engagement Plan.

Strategic Partnerships. SAME’s strategic partnerships are designed to provide locally focused opportunities for Posts. Help motivate local chapters of our national partners to join your Post’s events and programs!

Construction Industry Skills Shortage. The shortage of skilled workers for the construction trades is a critical issue. We are launching an effort as one of our Run to 2020 work groups to address this challenge, melding together the insights and experiences of several of SAME’s efforts geared towards credentialing and veterans transition support.

We are always looking for better ways to serve you, our members, to ensure SAME remains One Society of vibrant Posts serving their local communities while contributing to a common national direction.


-Brig. Gen. Joseph Schroedel, P.E., F.SAME, USA (Ret.), is SAME Executive Director.

[Article originally published in the November-December 2017 issue of The Military Engineer.]