We do have ways to recognize SNAME volunteers, but we have not always used these consistently or universally.
As part of our Volunteer ROSES Initiative led by Rich Mueller, SNAME Vice President of Planning & Policy we are developing a tiered recognition program which can be used both a section level and national/international levels.
We need to deliver recognition and rewards in a more open and publicized way, since if not made public, recognition loses much of its impact and defeats much of the purpose for which it provided.
Timing is also crucial. In practice our current system of Distinguished Service Awards can take years before service is recognized. We need to recognize contributions as they occur and reward contributions close to the time achievements are realized. .
BRAVO ZULU
WELL DONE!
The international code flags, BZ, Bravo Zulu, are used by NATO Navies to transmit the message “Well Done!”.
The signal is used for immediate recognition of something that is deserving of praise. We are going to try an experiment in developing a “Bravo Zulu” system for SNAME.
I am starting this experiment by recognizing some of our leading recruiters
As you all should know, recruiting is one of the most important functions that we undertake as SNAME members. We do have a steady stream of Student Members who join the Society during their college years and we are working hard to stay connected with these students and welcome them as full members as they transition into their early career years.
Somewhat more challenging is the recruiting of new members from the existing workforce at all levels, early-career, mid-career and even late-career professionals.
Over the years we have tracked the “best recruiter” and made an annual presentation. This is a good way to recognize individual performance, but only a relatively few of our members get to know who are our top recruiters.
In order to better recognize outstanding recruiting and to let other members know whom they should contact to find out how to be a successful recruiter, I would like us to start publishing the names of our top recruiters on a quarterly basis.
Top recruiters, who recruited 2 or more new members, during the first two quarters of calendar year 2013 were:
Courtney Ewing PNW
Craig Gundry SE
Amy Hickey TX
Thalia Kruger TX
Peter Noble TX
Alison Noftall TX
Bill Simpson NE
George Sydney SW
Bravo-Zulu – Well Done! to these top recruiters.
In additions another 30 or so of our members also recruited one member each to join in the same period
The following graph show the geographic distribution on newly recruited members
I encourage you all to become top recruiters. When you meet colleagues who work in our professions but are not yet members, take time to explain the benefits of networking at our Section meetings and at our Conferences and of gaining access to the vast technical database the we maintain.
The top recruiters mentioned earlier are spread through-out many parts of our Society so you should be able to reach out to one of them in your area to discuss their recruiting techniques.
Good recruiting to all!