Back to the main ECSCV webpage
When Merl Isaak prepared, printed, and mailed out the questionnaire about the future of Engineers Club, he had no idea what the response would be. Results of the survey are below so you get a look at what others think.
One suggestion made by Secretary John Bucholtz at the so-called board meeting in December was the value an Engineers Club internet web site would have. This was greeted with the comment that such a site would cost the club $20 a month and wasn't practical. Allusion was made to free e-mail. This naturally brought up the question of who is going to write to whom and about what?
A web site would be a place where engineers could learn what day meetings are held, what the subject will be, and would have lots of information about Engineers Club for anyone who wanted it. The $20 per month is peanuts if it serves a purpose and appeals to members and prospective members. I would love to be able to go to a place on my computer and find out what's cooking with Engineers Club. It's a paradox but the local CSPE chapter has such a web site, while the sentiment from CSPE opposed an Engineers Club web site.
Merl had plenty of help from Dick Blackburn, Joe Cassisi, Al Gribaldo, and others in his enterprise to pursue a club renaissance. If responses to the survey had been different, we wouldn't be writing this article. But they were positive and enthsiastic - sufficiently so that Merl (himself a past president) decided to go for it.
One item that will be eliminated: Tardy Dope Sheets. Members will know about 10 days in advance about the coming meeting.
A lot of behind the scenes work has been done by some of the loyal members headed by Merl Isaak, and now we have the fruits of their labors ready for unveiling. Engineers Club will become an oasis in the desert of boredom. You can, and should, take part. It's for you. Attend this first meeting of the millennium and see what will be done, should have been done. See you there with bells on!
Merl Isaak prepared, printed, and sent out his membership survey about the future of Engineers Club. He prepared a summary of responses. It took five 8.5 x 11 sheets of paper to summarize. Following are some of the answers:
Disband 11, Merge 7, Status Quo 7, Continue with minor changes 15
Don't attend meetings because: Expense 3, Time limitations 16, No interest in speaker/topics 4, Other 12.
Would evening meetings help? Increase 1, Decrease 19, no difference 1.
Joint meetings, emphasis: occasional: Favor 16, Oppose 1
What will you do? Contact or bring acquaintances, telephone committee, help with speaker engagements.
Will FAX or e-mail get you to more meetings? Yes 7, No 13
How to get the word out: Direct contact, including with firm principals 9, Advertise 3, Offer help to the public, mail more newsletters to more people especially public works agencies, VTA, Website, Newspaper articles.
Where and how to advertise: Website 3, public works bulletin boards, SJ Mercury meeting announcements, small occasional newspaper ads.
We've included additional responses in the far right column on page 3.
Bring in younger members? Yes 16, No 1. How to do it? Get college students involved. Ask young engineers to attend. Contact engineering firms. Members need to bring more young attendees (engineers). Mentor programs. Pursue engineering school contacts. Incentives.
Is meeting termination at 1:30 important? Yes 14, N o 10.
Speaker/topics -- attendance motivator? Yes 15, No 8
What does Engineers Club offer? Technical, general interest engineering related, business promotions, social contact, promotion of the profession, lobbying, legislative, liaison among engineering groups.
Change to "Retired Engineers Club"? Yes 2, No 13
One section of the summary listed Ideas for Attendance - Building, starting with the most important based on responses:
Bring in younger members -- 22.
Bring co-workers, acquaintances from other firms, relatives, etc. (Many responses.)
More emphasis on getting public agency attendance and evolvement (members, speakers).
Get meeting notices out in a timely regular manner.
Get a different meeting place such as Harry's Hofbrau at Saratoga and Stevens Creek. Buffet style, especially good for younger members who have to pay for their own lunches.
Current membership directory.
Back to the main ECSCV webpage