Council Retreat 2016

Introduction:

SNAME’s Council Retreat 2016 event was held in Crowne Plaza Hotel in Virginia, USA (901 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314), started on the 10^th of June and lasted for three days (up until 12^th of June).

Council Retreat is an annual event where the main purpose is the familiarisation of the attendees to the by-laws and internal structure of the society. In addition, the new Section Chairs are being informed about their leadership responsibilities and the internal operations of SNAME. All of the foregoing in a training, practise, mentoring style agenda. 

Friday, 10th of June:

The first day started with a visit in the National Museum of the United States Navy (Washington, DC 20374).  An hour presentation was given by Ms Robin White, Director of Surface Ship Design and Systems Engineering at Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) on her work duties and challenges. Then a self-guided tour followed.

It is important to mention that the museum chronicles the history of the United States Navy from the American Revolution to the present conflicts and the attendees had the chance to see numerous of naval items, naval ship models and weapons.

After the museum tour, all participants returned to the hotel and the presentations started. The first day presentations were focused on Membership issues. The various membership types were outlined and their contribution to the total number of SNAME members. The need for increase of members was highlighted and Mr Ed Rigsbee, writer of “The ROI of Membership” book, gave a presentation on the techniques and tools that can be used for this purpose.

The final presentation of the first day introduced the duties of each stuff member of SNAME’s Head Quarters.