SHPE - Fall 2008 - (Page 70)

CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT Recruit, Engage and Retain Promoting SHPE Benefits and Member Participation By Manuel Aybar, Industrial Engineer, and Frederic Angus, Electrical Engineer, Texas Instruments A ttracting new members isn’t a matter of commitment. Generally, individuals are compelled to volunteer by a sense of social responsibility and interest in an organization’s activities, not to mention the personal satisfaction that comes as a result of making a difference in the lives of others. only the Society’s mission, vision and strategic focus areas but also the resources SHPE offers in attaining them. These should easily translate into chapter activities that require member support. The orientation process should equip all new members with an understanding of SHPE’s code of conduct and a calendar of events. It also serves as an opportunity for new members to discuss their expectations as well as identify their talents and areas of expertise. Perhaps members have particular skills and talents that the chapter needs to acquire. Officers can use this as a forum to share information on available positions, ask for volunteers and delegate responsibilities. “Am I needed?” Recruiting new members is just the first part of the challenge. Engaging them through open communication is next. New and returning members should be encouraged to join one of the chapter’s committees and then be trained for the positions that they will fill. They should be given jobs that they will feel comfortable doing.Those unfamiliar with their task should be paired with more experienced members for on-the-job training. When volunteers are trained to be successful, they feel needed and appreciated. Members stay involved when they feel that their contributions are valued. As a result, leaders must be willing to recognize and appreciate member performance and, SHPE ❘ Fall 2008 The real question is where – or in which organization – will potential members choose to invest their commitment? Faced with the perennial challenge of increasing participation, leaders of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers must understand the internal dialogue of potential members. As they consider joining SHPE, they wonder: “What are the advantages of membership? What is required of me? Am I needed? Do I fit here?”Chapters that adopt and/or develop a new member orientation process that anticipates these questions will succeed in attracting, engaging and retaining the commitment of diverse members who will enhance the SHPE experience for everyone involved. “What are the advantages of membership?” In other words, how does SHPE compensate the time and effort of its volunteers? As leaders tap into their knowledge of the Society, they will find that the benefits fall into five attractive reasons for becoming — and staying — involved: • Networking: SHPE offers many avenues of interacting with corporate and university recruiters as well as other student and professional members from across the nation. • Leadership: Members receive training in preparation for leadership responsibilities and work with experienced officers in developing vital soft skills. • Work Experience: On the local, regional and national levels, SHPE provides workshops to prepare members for career fairs and interviews. 70 • Outreach: Community service activities create opportunities for members to express their appreciation, make a difference in the lives of future engineers and increase Hispanic representation in the STEM fields. • Personal Development: Participating in SHPE allows members to build their self-esteem and self-confidence in achieving personal and professional goals as well as in bringing value to the Hispanic and technical communities. “What is required of me?” This addresses the question of expectations. Chapter leaders must explain not

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of SHPE - Fall 2008

SHPE - Fall 2008 Contents President's Letter From the Vice President Calendar of Events National Board of Directors The Great '08: Chapter Leaders Learn to Spread 'SHPE Fever' Browser National Retreat Provides a Redefinition An Engineer and a Politician Capitalizing on Engineering Talent Grupos de Afinidad A Focused Approach to Getting the Job You Really Want SHPE Conference 2008 IPC Update Programs & Services Keeping Warm with 'Yuper' Familia Spirit Promise of Spring Recruit, Engage and Retain Regional Student Representatives Regional Roundup Advertisers Index

SHPE - Fall 2008

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