SECTION 1506
Jacksonville - Northeast Florida

Following are a few articles from the January-February 2002 edition of the ASQ Section 1506 Newsletter, edited by Bart Johnson.

If you are a Section 1506 member and did not receive this newsletter please let Bart know by phone, fax, or email. If you are not a Section member, but would like to join, just call ASQ at (800) 248-1946 and tell them that you want to join Section 1506.

From the Section Chair

Jeff Lackey

Happy New Year!  We all hope that this year is somewhat less tumultuous than the one we just experienced.  However no matter what it brings, let us dedicate our efforts to achieve a quality life for our relatives, friends, work associates, community, and all citizens of the world.

Mark your calendars for the following meetings.  Note that the April meeting is now a week later than published earlier due to a conflict.

January 17 - Research for Measurement & Analysis - speaker Dr. Jim Mirabella
February 22 - Koalaty Kid Program - See announcement elsewhere
March 22 - Supplier Quality Management - Arnie Bray coordinating
April 26 - Risk Assessment & FMEA - Paul Koza coordinating
May 17 - Awards & Recognition Night - Jeff Lackey coordinating

Also please note that this newsletter is a combined issue for both January and February.  It will save a few dollars for the section and will reduce Bart's workload.  He would be happy to have some help in getting the newsletter put together and mailed each month.  If you're interested, let him know at 904-443-3695.  So remember, the next newsletter you receive will be for March/April, and the final issue for this year will cover the May meeting and summertime activities.

The May meeting will be a special meeting of recognition.  The intent is to celebrate and acknowledge the hard work of many of our peers.  On that night, we will recognize all those who have received ASQ certifications over the last year and others in the section who have contributed to its success.  If you have received a certification recently, you can expect to receive a special invitation for you and a family member or friend as the section's guests.  We may also recognize some of our members with special awards.  We plan to book a special place for the meeting, such as Dave & Buster's or some similar place.  Details will follow.

Speaking of recognition, since so many of our section's members are relatively new to ASQ, you may not realize that there are various membership levels.  And if you have, you may not know how these are attained or what they imply.  To put it simply, there are five basic levels of membership:  Student, Member, Senior, Fellow, and Honorary.  Student and Member categories are self-explanatory.  They represent entry-level status.  If you have been a Member for several years and have the requisite education and experience, you may self-nominate yourself for Senior-member status.  After review and approval of your application by a review committee, you will receive a special membership certificate.  Fellow and Honorary membership levels are special recognition for long and devoted service to ASQ.  Fellow nominations may be initiated in several ways, such as by a section or division.  Honorary membership is very special and is usually initiated at the national ASQ level.  Approximately 30 people are awarded the Fellow status each year within ASQ.  Only about 20 people have received Honorary status.  This includes people like Deming, Juran, Crosby, Taguchi and Shainin.  For more information, I encourage you to review the details and evaluation criteria for these various member levels at the ASQ website:  asq.org.

I wanted to discuss the membership recognition categories, since within the Jacksonville section, there are only ten people who have attained Senior level, and two people who have been  recognized as Fellows.  The section has many members who have worked long and hard within ASQ, and in reviewing the criteria for recognition, I am certain that some members would satisfy the careful scrutiny to achieve Fellow status, and many of you would meet the requirements for Senior status.  I have formed a committee to review the section's membership to determine if there is a candidate worthy of nomination to Fellow grade.  Stay tuned for more details later this spring.  If some of you are interested in nominating yourself for Senior status, check out the web site.

If you want to volunteer to be more active in the section, or be a program speaker at one of our upcoming meetings (even for 2002-2003), please give me a call at 904-443-3981, or via e-mail at jlackey@visus.jnj.com

Another committee will be seeking people who are interested in serving as a section officer for 2002-2003.  If you are interested, please call Paul Koza, 904-443-3939; or Arnie Bray, 904-353-4401.  Current officers are highly encouraged to continue; however, the section always needs new blood.  I can tell you from experience, there is no better way to enjoy your ASQ membership than as an active participant.  It's a great way to network and meet other quality professionals.

If you have not had a chance to attend a meeting, I encourage you to join us January 17 or later this spring to network with your quality friends in the Jacksonville area.  I'm looking forward to meeting you if we haven't met already.

See you at the meeting.

Officer Recruitment for 2002-2003

The revival of Section 1506 had a good start in 2001.  The officers of the section have received comments from members saying how happy they were with section activity this past fall.  The success of the section activities to date is highly influenced by the dedication of the individuals serving as officers and committee chairs.  In order to preserve the positive momentum that was created this fall, it is necessary to begin the search for next year's executive talent as soon as possible.

Arnie Bray and myself have been charged with recruiting individuals for 2002 - 2003 officer and committee chair positions.  Our first responsibility will be to determine whether any of the current chairs and officers will be willing to serve either in current positions or in alternate roles.  This is a relatively easy task and will be accomplished at the next board meeting on January 11.

Our next responsibility will be to begin recruitment among the existing membership.  This recruitment is critical for the continued success of the section.  Jeff Lackey mentioned the need for new blood within the section.  This is necessary to grow the section, bring diverse opinions to the executive management, and to encourage the presentation of new programs to the membership on a monthly basis.  Serving as a committee chair or officer does not usually require an extreme commitment of time.  The current officers have learned that increased planning during July and August results in payoffs during the remainder of the year.

Arnie and I will be pooling resources in order to fill vacancies on the board for next year.  We will be talking to members who attend section presentations.  We will also be calling members to drum up interest in working for the section.  Remember that there is a positive benefit in being an officer.  There are 1.5 recertification units awarded for your efforts.  More importantly, comes the benefit from forming friendships and gaining satisfaction that you have helped make the section a forum for quality within the Jacksonville metro area.

To Become a Senior Member of ASQ

Satisfy the following criteria and you may be eligible

• Member in good standing for at least one year
• Ten years professional experience - up to four years can be counted if graduate of accredited college, university or similar institution

And satisfy one of the following

• Conducting quality-related engineering, inspection, audit or statistical work, or applying methods and principles of quality on the job or at least two years
• Teaching quality or related arts or sciences at accredited institution for at least two years
• Senior Member or comparable grade in organization included on American Society for Association Executives' list
• Currently holding ASQ certification requiring recertification

Certification Corner

Exam Date:  3/2/01                              Deadline to Register:  1/11/02
CQT, CQM, CMI, CRE, CQA-HACCP, CSSBB

Exam Date:  6/1/02                              Deadline to Register:  4/5/02
CQA, CQE, CSQE & CQIA

Want to know more about these certifications, and the certification process?  Go to:
http://www.asq.org/cert/types/index.html

Certification Congratulations
A hearty congratulations to Section members who recently received the indicated certifications.
Certified Six Sigma Black Belt
- Ray Fleming
Certified Quality Manager
- Richard Horne
Certified Quality Technician
- Selina Smith
Certified Quality Auditor
- Bill Mauldin
- Mike Murphy
- Horace Littlefield
- Rose Harrell
Certified Quality Engineer
- Ray Kitchens
- Robb Reynolds

Upcoming Meetings-Section 1506

January 17 - 12:00pm to 3:30pm
Cost:  $15 lunch and program, $10 program only (1:30 p.m.)
River City Brewing Company, 835 Museum Circle, Jacksonville, FL 32207, (904) 398-2299

Research for Measurement & Analysis - Dr. Jim Mirabella, Director of Institutional Research, Florida Community College at Jacksonville

Research is a vital part of decision making.  To be useful, research must be valid and reliable.  This includes selecting samples, collecting data and analyzing for results.  This workshop will focus on the steps involved in conducting valid research, choosing from the many sampling and data collection methods, as well as minimizing opportunities for sampling error.

Jim teaches a variety of statistical courses at FCCJ, Webster University, Nova Southeastern, Jacksonville University and Central Michigan University.  He has broad experience in the military and private manufacturing organizations.  Look forward to an informative and entertaining workshop.

       RSVP to Jeff Lackey by Monday, January 14 at 904-443-3981 or via e-mail at: Jlackey@visus.jnj.com

February 22 - 12:00pm to 2:30pm
Cost:  $15 lunch and program, $10 program only (1:30 pm to 2:30pm)
Embassy Suites, 9300 Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville, (904) 731-3555

ASQ Koalaty Kid- Dr. Christine Ejlali
A child taking responsibility for his or her own learning is powerful.  Giving the child the tools to do so is Koalaty Kid's mission.  These tools, used with students and educators, create a lasting improvement in schools.  This in turn helps create individuals who are better prepared for work and community life.

Koalaty Kid is a carefully detailed, planned approach to implementing Total Quality Management in schools.  This student-centered approach is aimed at creating a school environment where all students sustain enthusiasm for learning, behave responsibly, feel proud of themselves and their achievements, and strive to meet high standards.  Dr. Ejlali, who has been involved with ASQ Koalaty Kid since 1996 and is a trained Koalaty Kid Facilitator, will share her own personal experiences with this approach to continuous improvement.

Christine Ejlali is a wife, mother, grandmother and educator.  She is an alumnus of ETSU and holds a B.S., Master of Arts and Doctorate of Education from ETSU.  Dr. Ejlali served as an elementary and middle school teacher in Johnson City TN, a consultant with the Tennessee Department of Education, and 14 years as Assistant Superintendent in Washington County TN, before assuming her current position as Superintendent of McIntosh County Georgia.

Note: For February reservations, please RSVP to Laura Sabo by Friday, February 15 at 904-443-3553 or via e-mail at lsabo@visus.jnj.com