What is it?
The Student Sections Committee (SSC) is a group of thirteen student ASME Members, thirteen senior ASME members (usually student section advisors), and a Chair, who was previously one of the thirteen senior ASME members of the committee. The committee was formed in 1981 and represents over 20,000 students worldwide. It meets twice a year to discuss issues associated with ASME student members and their relationship to ASME International.
How does it work?
Discussion is initiated in two ways. First, members of the SSC bring ideas and concerns from their student sections. A subcommittee of the SSC will formulate an Action Item to suggest that ASME adopt a certain practice or policy. The Action Item is then brought to the whole committee. If it is passed by the SSC, it then goes to the Board on Student Affairs (BSA). If passed by the BSA (and sometimes modified), it then goes to the Council on Member Affairs (CMA). If the CMA accepts it (and most items are), it then becomes a policy.
The second method of initiating a discussion is for the ASME organization to request that the SSC review a policy or suggested policy, or they may just be looking for an opinion. Again the issue goes the route of subcommittee work, SSC, BSA and finally to the CMA.
Responsibilities of members
A detailed job description for the SSC Student Representative is below. Basically, it says that you should be an active, responsible member of the committee, attending the meetings (June, November, and June), and contributing your expertise to the discussions. You will have a chance to be elected to Chair of one of the subcommittees, or secretary of the SSC or vice-Chair of the SSC. The vice-Chair of the SSC runs the meeting when the Action Items are brought to the floor by each of the subcommittee Chairs. This is tremendous opportunity to learn leadership skills.
Another important aspect of the SSC is that it is a training ground for future ASME Members who will become involved with their profession by serving the society through various committees. ASME has been committed for many years to diversifying the organization in terms of gender, race and age. The SSC provides the easiest path to management level positions in ASME. Young engineers provide new ideas and different ways of looking at issues as compared to "older" engineers. We would hope that if you are selected to be a regional student rep, you would see this position as an initial step in a long-term career of service to your profession through the ASME.
How are you selected?
The selection procedure is determined by each region. An example of the selection process follows:
During the Regional Student Conference (RSC) nominations are taken from the floor. Each nominee is asked to make a two minute presentation on qualifications and commitment to the SSC and ASME. Every school at the Regional Student Conference is given one vote. If no student receives a majority on the first ballot, a second ballot, featuring the top two nominees, is carried out.
POSITION DESCRIPTION for
STUDENT SECTIONS COMMITTEE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
- Serves as Regional volunteer and advisor to Vice-President. At VP request, serves on Operating Board.
- In Regional activities, works closely with: Vice-President; Student Sections Committee ("SSC") Senior Representative; Regional College-Relations Chair; and ASME Int'l Staff.
- Serves as Regional Student Representative to the Student Sections Committee.
- Serves one-year term. Participates at Summer Annual Meeting ("SAM"), International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition ("IMECE"), and the next year's SAM. Can serve more than one term.
SELECTION
- One Student Representative is selected in each Region, by appointment or by election. The Student Representative is selected each Spring, generally at the Regional Student Conference ("RSC").
- Candidates must be ASME student-members, continuing in school at least through Spring of the following year.
- Candidates, or their Student Section Advisors, may be asked to submit an application or recommendation. Candidates may be interviewed by a committee of Regional leadership and a Regional Staff person.
Candidates, if selected, must be able to attend: SAM; Winter IMECE; next-year's SAM.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Advise Regional leadership and SSC of student and university needs, concerns, and accomplishments.
- Communicate ASME Int'l programs, requirements, and resources to students and supporters in Region (e.g. SSC actions; membership opportunities and dues-paid options; awards, loans, and scholarships; contests; awards for faculty; etc.). Encourage and submit articles to Regional and Int'l newsletters and bulletins.
- Advise and encourage effective and rewarding Student-Section activities throughout the Region.
- Act as advisor to and maintain close communication with Senior Representative and College-Relations Chair.
- Cooperate with Regional volunteers, facility-providers, and Staff to implement Regional activities, as listed here or as established by Regional leadership: Regional Student Leadership Seminar ("RSLS"):
Carry the leading responsibility for planning and implementing the program. Faculty Conferences: Advise and support the presiding Senior Representative. Regional Student Conference ("RSC"): Advise and support the Host School. Faculty / Student business meetings: Advise and support the presiding Senior Representative. Graduate Student Technical Conferences ("GSTC"): No responsibilities.
- Represent the Region and participate in the Student Sections Committee and Sub-Committees at SAM and IMECE. Standing SSC Sub-Committees are: Membership, Competitions, Communications, and Programs. The SSC elects a student Vice-Chair and sends student Delegates to: Board on Student Affairs; Board on Pre-College Education, Council on Engineering / Council on Member Affairs (COE / CMA) Coordinating Committee, Committee on Contests, Student Design Contest Committee, and ASME.ORG Committee.
- Describe benefits and encourage applications for successor-in-office; participate in selection process.
- Other tasks as requested by Regional VP.
- After your SSC term-of-office, you can become an advisor to a central ASME Board, Council, or Committee of your choice. See Position Description for “SSC Alumni Correspondent” on the web.
FUNDING
- During term of office and in accordance with expense Policy 4.5:
- Eligible for travel and daily-expense funding to two SAM's and one IMECE.
- Eligible for travel and daily-expense funding to RSLS, RSC, Regional Operating Board meetings, plus other Regional events as authorized by Regional VP.
- Eligible for legitimate out-of-pocket Regional expenses with prior agreement of Regional VP.
RESOURCES
- Handbook ML-1; Regional VP; SSC Chair, SSC By-Laws; Regional and HQ Offices and Staff; Web page.
- Position Descriptions for SSC Senior Representative and Regional College-Relations Chair.
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