Operational Plan

Note: The SAE International Sections Board reduced the required governing board structure to two elected individuals -- a Chairman and a Treasurer. However, sections are still encouraged to appoint as many governing board members as needed to run the section efficiently and effectively. Additionally, each section is encouraged to participate in the SAE International Annual Nominating Committee (ANC) meeting to elect an ANC Delegate and ANC Alternate Delegate. Delegates must be Regular member grade or higher. Please note that SAE Groups are not permitted to participate in the ANC process.

Sections may combine Segments A1 by attaching a Block Diagram Organization Chart incorporating the following required information: member name, section position, lines of reporting, address, phone, fax, and e-mail for EACH member of the governing board. In addition, YOUNGER MEMBERS (age 36 and younger) should be designated on the chart by means of an asterisk or other code, which is clearly explained in a legend on the organization chart.

Sections are required to submit a Financial Plan by October 1, and a Financial Report next year (August 1) to SAE Headquarters each year or disbursement of the annual dues reimbursement will be denied. A Reserve Guideline has been developed by the Sections Board. Sections are now asked each year to show that they have a plan that will bring their section in compliance with these guidelines.

The following elements of operation are deemed to be critical to section success. The Governing Board leads and manages all section activities and looks ahead to ensure continued viability of the section (you are required to have a minimum of two officers - a Chair and a Treasurer, but are encouraged to have as many other officers as needed to ensure effective operation of your section). Section committees accomplish tasks to achieve section goals. Younger Members (age 36 and younger) have fresh ideas and are a natural bridge for the section to reach students. Section Members (age 37 and older) provide continuity, experience, and mentoring. Company Representatives publicize section activities and encourage engineers at all levels within companies to be more involved with SAE. Awards programs recognize results of members' efforts for the section, and motivate future efforts. By nominating candidates for SAE President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and Director, sections ensure representation on SAE's highest governance bodies. Programs such as A World in Motion (AWIM) and collegiate-design activities impress the value of SAE principles upon the younger generation to ensure that sections remain viable in the future. Career assistance programs provide local members with a valuable service in a quickly changing industry, and the beneficiaries often repay through section involvement. Local company support facilitates corporate sponsorship of section activities and gives section activities credibility with industry.

SAE offers many training resources to section officers to enhance their leadership skills. There is a correlation between the amount of training officers in a section receive and the success and long-term viability of that section. Sections should take advantage of as many of these resources as possible.

In any organizational survey, two-way communication is essential. Successful sections must ensure that they communicate with their members, local industry, SAE Headquarters, and each other, as well as the Sections Board, through a variety of methods such as e-mail, hard copy mail, and websites, etc. This segment of the Operational Plan will help sections assess their effectiveness in this area.

The purpose of F.3.1, F.3.2, and F.3.3 is to encourage sections to utilize their websites for sharing information with their governing board members, section members, and SAE International. Some information that is contained in governing board minutes is sensitive in nature (e.g., persons’ names and contact information) so please use caution when composing governing board minutes. If you have any items that should remain confidential to the governing board only, please consider using a password protected folder or a separate document that can be shared only between your governing board members.

You may use this segment to note additional section activities, events or achievements not previously covered in this report. Bonus points will be awarded at the discretion of the graders, up to a maximum of 6 points total.