THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

To date, my messages have been directed toward the Philadelphia Section's local activities and seeking guidance and direction from the membership on the Humphrey Fund. I've been extremely proud of the Section's turnouts, the energy shown by the members and our Officers and Board. It is quite an honor to serve such a vibrant, goal-oriented Section.

Our membership should also be aware that ASCE's National organization is in the midst of updating its Strategic Plan and is seeking input to this program from its entire membership. The Plan includes a relatively succinct (18 pages... well, I said it was relative... and for National, that's pretty good) list of strategic objectives and strategies for fiscal year 1997. These are meant to support the eight goals summarized below:

1. Becoming the recognized authority and advocate for the responsible development of new infrastructure, and the enhancement and more effective maintenance of existing infrastructure.

2. Preparing the Civil Engineering profession to meet the challenge of internationalization through global integration of information, technologies, and business practices.

3. Promoting leadership by the Civil Engineering profession in public policy issues.

4. Enhancing recognition of Civil Engineering as a highly respected profession and a most desirable and rewarding career.

5. Advancing technical excellence through the development and transfer of information and standards related to Civil Engineering.

6. Identify and prioritize present and emerging research needs.

7. Re-define the educational requirements for Civil Engineers.

8. Reorganizing to enhance services to all members of the team involved in conceiving, planning, designing, building and maintaining the constructed environment.

Past President Bob Wright has been designated as our Section's lead for interaction with the strategic planning process. If you would like to obtain the listing of strategic objectives and strategies, please let Bob or me know, or call National directly (1-800-548-ASCE). We'd also be happy to see any comments or concerns you may have get back to the ASCE Committee on Society Objectives, Programs and Organization.

By the way, how many of you noticed the younger, thinner, President pictured in last month's THE NEWS? But that hairstyle! How did I do it? A lot of exercise, a rigorous diet, and an absent-minded newsletter printer. Hope I'm back to normal with this month's issue!

Sincerely, William G. Richards, P.E.

President, Phila. Section, ASCE