by
Peter Noble and Alana Anderson
Unfortunately a large part of the public remains uninformed about the marine business in general and in particular about who naval architects, marine and ocean engineers are and what we do.
SNAME has a number of initiatives to inform young persons, teachers and parents about our professions, such as many of our local Sections taking part in High School Career days, mentoring of students, supporting boat-building education projects and similar programs.
However we see the need to continue to expand these efforts and with that in mind we have instituted the SNAME Future Member Corps, consisting of infants who have SNAME parents or grand-parents. We provide suitable identification to each of the members of this Corps in the form of an attractive bib emblazoned with the SNAME logo.
The idea is that these Future Members can wear their bibs at birthday parties, visits to the pediatrician, and shopping trips to the grocery store, and when passers-by, receptionists and check out staff say “What a cute baby………. but what is a naval architect anyhow?”, the opportunity will exist for the enlightened naval architect/marine/ocean engineer parent to explain the importance of our professions.
Results so far are encouraging. If you have a recent new arrival in your family please contact Alana Anderson at alana@SNAME.ORG to obtain a SNAME Future Members bib.