Folks Next month I have renew my ASQ membership. I want to know positively should I do that.

Folks Next month I have renew my ASQ membership. I want to know positively should I do that.
I can't make the decision for you. There is great opportunity, there is great frustration. I would make a personal inventory of the pluses and minuses of ASQ (both nationally and locally) and make a decision from that.

Yep. Ultimately, it's a personal decision. If you are considering dropping your membership, you ought to at least create a balance sheet with pluses and minuses of membership, but don't stop at just tallying the score.

Consider this: Is there anything YOU can do to change any of the minus items to plus items?

I've always been saddened to hear from ASQ members who have no opportunity to attend local Section meetings and thereby never get a feeling of being part of a "community." Most folks who drop out leave because they feel no connection to other members of the society.

I can tell you this much:
Nobody at ASQ owes you a job or a promotion - those you have to earn yourself. ASQ can help you acquire the tools which will help you get the job or promotion, but you still have to do the work.

Can you get the same tools by merely using ASQ as a publishing house?
Sure, but it seems easier when you have other folks to talk with who have been through the process - a big advantage of Section meetings, courses, seminars, and workshops. (As good as a Forum like the Cove can be, it still pales compared to hands on mentoring from fellow Section members.)

Are all Sections equally good?
Sadly, no.
I'd be interested in hearing what you finally decide and WHY.

Tell me more. Have you got to section meetings? particpated in training? used their job board? contacted their placement chair? etc.

I love my section, but then again I am somewhat active in it.

Toledo section rocks!!!

Maggie Jones

Folks Next month I have renew my ASQ membership. I want to know positively should I do that.

Before deciding you might want to consider the posts on the thread asking, "What has the ASQ done...".

After being a member for over 20 years or so, I let mine lapse a few years ago. The world did not come to an end. All that I need is available better, faster, more thoroughly, cheaper on the Internet. Having applied the same business skills and rationale I would in my daily professional life to answering the question you pose, I was unable to justify the continued expenditure on the ASQ.

This year, I will discard my nostalgic sentiments for having been an elected fellow of the IQA for almost 30 years, a past nationally elected member of its Council and so forth and move on.

What one does with one's own discretionary expenditure on an alleged not for profit is a private matter. As well as the inappropriate and untimely delivery of largely irrelevant service, personally, I cannot support egregious excess and waste for it is an anathema to my efforts and beliefs as a quality professional.

Would anyone be willing to start a list of plusses and minuses in this thread? I'm curious. Am not a member and have not considered it, but still think it could be a good service to have a compilation of generic items in the forum.

Reformation is good!
The ASQ as great as it is, needs to be reformed from within. If not, it will implode.
Wallace

Reformation is good!
The ASQ as great as it is, needs to be reformed from within. If not, it will implode.
Wallace

My dear Wallace, I heard that argument about "change from within" from the IQA twenty five years ago. I see little that has changed at its heart: if anything, the membership has been made ever more remote. I spent nearly 10 years as a Council member (nationally elected, not one of the establishment appointee ones). I eventually left as it was clear a cozy clique of what were called "safe hands" (if you are familiar with civil service jargon) were in control and would never permit any different. Indeed, the very expression "safe pair of hands" was used on more than one occasion when key positions were to be filled. Despite lofty goals and expensive brochures proclaiming 5 year plans, goals and missions, the membership has decreased in the last 5 years or so from about 15K to 12K. Of course, the 5 year plans seem to have been reissued with targets for membership growth adjusted accordingly (a la Soviet style plans). All rather touching, really!

But, I am curious to know what you considered is an "implosion"?

The ASQ has lost nearly half the membership over the last 5-6 years or so and disaffection is rampant. It certainly experienced an "explosion" of membership in the 1980s and early 1990s. So I would think such a dramatic loss of membership is an "implosion".

Would anyone be willing to start a list of plusses and minuses in this thread? I'm curious. Am not a member and have not considered it, but still think it could be a good service to have a compilation of generic items in the forum.

Here are some plusses and minuses for ASQ:

+ Internationally known organization for quality among quality professionals
- ASQ not known by the decision makers

+ Certifications in the quality bodies of knowledge
- Certifications not equivalent in meaning or relevance as professional engineer, registered nurses and other certifications and licenses.

+ Source for quality literature and publishing
- More information available directly through the Internet

+ Modest cost to belong to a professional organization in quality
- Costs are increasing and less companies are willing to pay membership fees

+ Networking for information and job search
- Internet and electronic communications has become an alternative source

+ Way of supporting your profession
- Must be active member by volunteering time

Like any organization, you get out of it what you put into it. If you do not plan on using its member benefits than the expense is not worth it.

Bill Pflanz

But, I am curious to know what you considered is an "implosion"?


My particular interpretation of an implosion to the thread context would be:
Internal strife, disillusionment, distrust and professional irrelevance.

Great institutions whether they be social, political, religious or professional always fall by the wayside when they believe they are infallible and, build citadels in preparation for their Babylonian type fall from grace.
Wallace.

My particular interpretation of an implosion to the thread context would be:
Internal strife, disillusionment, distrust and professional irrelevance.

Great institutions whether they be social, political, religious or professional always fall by the wayside when they believe they are infallible and, build citadels in preparation for their Babylonian type fall from grace.
Wallace.

So, Wallace, you must have read C. Northcote Parkinson's famous book and especially the chapter dealing with failing organizations and "injelititis"! All too true. :agree1:

So, Wallace, you must have read C. Northcote Parkinson's famous book and especially the chapter dealing with failing organizations and "injelititis"! All too true. :agree1:

Haven't read Parkinson's notable publication.
My perceptions, core values and understandings to date, have developed slowly but surely by association with and, acceptance of various noble and ignoble sources.
Wallace.

My perceptions, core values and understandings to date, have developed slowly but surely by association with and, acceptance of various noble and ignoble sources.
Wallace.

"Slowly but surely..." and steadfast!

After 12 or 15 years I let my membership lapse this year.

I was once very involved - chapter secretary, taught CQE and CQA refresher courses, etc.

My current company doesn't care if I am an ASQ members or that I am a certified quality engineer and a certified quality auditor -- ASQ has no meaning here. Same for my 2 previous companies, dating back to 1988.

The emphasis now is on Six Sigma and ASQ is not seen as a player.

Also, somewhere along the line ASQ disappeared from upper management's consciousness. I have never known a quality VP or director who was a member; just assorted QEs and a quality manager every now and then.

I'm wondering why I am paying dues to help finance certification programs and training in China. Is it so my job can be moved over seas? Thank you ASQ

I recently joined ASQ and contacted my section to inquire about becoming an active member. That was over a month ago and I have yet to get a response. I am now wondering if I just wasted my money :confused:

I recently joined ASQ and contacted my section to inquire about becoming an active member. That was over a month ago and I have yet to get a response. I am now wondering if I just wasted my money :confused:
What section do you want to be a member of? I can find the name of the section chair and his/her email. I'm a section chair myself, so I hope another section chair would do the same for me if they heard of such a problem.

Since I am looking to relocate to NC, today I contacted the section in Greensboro, NC to request information on how to become active in their section once I am moved. :thanx:

Amazingly, I wanted to renew and found the process almost impossible. :bonk: In my case the sticking point was going from "regular" to "associate" member.

I got a renewal notice (actually a couple), but there was no option on the form for changing to "associate", so I let it slide. Figured I could do it some other way some other time.

On a visit to the web-site, I got a little reminder that my membership was about up and that I should renew. I went through the links, waiting for the page that would let me change the level of membership. It never happened. I could add/remove divisions, but not change to associate. So I let it slide.

Just now the ASQ site says my membership has expired, and to call a number. I call them, go through a minute or two of double-checking my name, address, etc. When I say I want to change to associate membership, she politely tells me she can't do that. They need a hard copy - they can't do it over the internet or by phone or by email. They did email a form that I could print and return via snail mail. Interestingly, fax counts as hardcopy, but email doesn't.

I came awfully close to not renewing, simply because it was such a hassle! I still haven't mailed the envelope, but I do plan to.


Tim F

P.S. I just figured out how to outwit the system. If I rejoin but don't tell them I was a member recently, then I can become a new member at the "associate level". The moment I tell them my ASQ ID number, however, then they lock me out of changing to associate. :confused: The only down-side I can think of is that I may need to learn a new member number - I think I can handle that.

When doing a Google search today, I discovered the articles for the ASQs April 2005 Quality Progress freely available to the general public without the need for password or anything else. This was the hyperlink www.asq.org/pub/qualityprogress/past/0405

For those who are paying their dues only because they value the articles in that magazine, perhaps they should ask themselves is it worth spending > $100 for something given free to the public that pays nothing?

When doing a Google search today, I discovered the articles for the ASQs April 2005 Quality Progress freely available to the general public without the need for password or anything else. This was the hyperlink www.asq.org/pub/qualityprogress/past/0405

For those who are paying their dues only because they value the articles in that magazine, perhaps they should ask themselves is it worth spending > $100 for something given free to the public that pays nothing?

Ah, however try clicking on one of the links designated as "members only". It will request your member number and passwords. A few articles each month are made open to the general public, I suppose as teasers.

I have discovered there are websites in China that are reprinting Quality Progress articles, but according to my contacts in ASQ, they are violating copyright.

Ah, however try clicking on one of the links designated as "members only". It will request your member number and passwords. A few articles each month are made open to the general public, I suppose as teasers.

I have discovered there are websites in China that are reprinting Quality Progress articles, but according to my contacts in ASQ, they are violating copyright.
If the ASQ wish to publicly display "teasers" then the number of articles the member receives exclusively is less than appears in the paper version. For that, the paper version is worth less than a wholly exclusive edition. The membership likewise of less value for thjose who, as I said, pay dues simply for Quality Progress articles.

Ah, however try clicking on one of the links designated as "members only". It will request your member number and passwords. A few articles each month are made open to the general public, I suppose as teasers.

I have discovered there are websites in China that are reprinting Quality Progress articles, but according to my contacts in ASQ, they are violating copyright.
Correct! The notice says:
All Quality Progress articles, including back issues, are available online to ASQ regular, associate, sustaining, organizational and student members. Selected online articles are available to forum members and nonmembers.If you would like access all Quality Progress articles, JOIN NOW (https://secure.asq.org/ecommerce/newmember/execute/newMemberSetup) and SUBSCRIBE (http://qualitypress.asq.org/perl/catalog.cgi?item=SUBSCR_QP).

These articles open to the public are "bait" to induce membership at some level.

The curse of providing a content rich website is that there are always folks out there who are willing to take for free and try to make money on the labor of others. There are ways, of course, to publish content and prevent folks from easily copying and redistributing that content on a different site. These techniques would dissuade the casual pirate, but hardly slow a determined professional thief.

Correct! The notice says:


These articles open to the public are "bait" to induce membership at some level.

The curse of providing a content rich website is that there are always folks out there who are willing to take for free and try to make money on the labor of others. There are ways, of course, to publish content and prevent folks from easily copying and redistributing that content on a different site. These techniques would dissuade the casual pirate, but hardly slow a determined professional thief.
Maybe so, Wes. But, my immediately previous post makes clear the member is then receiving less than the value he/ she might in the case of exclusivity.

Maybe so, Wes. But, my immediately previous post makes clear the member is then receiving less than the value he/ she might in the case of exclusivity.
Even "exclusive" private clubs have provision to entertain guests who may be prospective members. Since the payment for club products and services is usually by signing a "chit" - guests are usually precluded from paying for their "sample" of the club life.

We members sometimes sponsored "open houses" (not really open, since admission of nonmembers was by invitation), where we members paid for the party by special assessment.

As a current and former member of several "exclusive clubs," I can attest only the crassest club (one I certainly would NOT want to join) would charge a guest for the "privilege" of being a guest. [I put Sam's Club in this category of "crass," since I received a flyer in my daily paper, offering to let me "sample" the privileges of Sam's Club by paying 10% over the member's price for any goods I purchase during a three day window.]

This subject would seem to be appropriate for this thread - note I sent in my ASQ membership renewal last week as a full member, now I wonder why. I was on the ASQ website earlier today and ran across the following announcement:
"Full Journal Content Access Now Available to Nonmembers!
ASQ recently expanded its access features to all ASQ-published journals to include full article access for all individual nonmember subscribers. If you are not an ASQ member, but have an active subscription to Quality Progress, Six Sigma Forum Magazine, Quality Management Journal, Journal of Quality Technology, Software Quality Professional, or Journal for Quality and Participation, you now will receive full online access as a value-added service. "

So let's see, I could be a nonmember and subscribe to Quality Progress for $80 a year and have access to the other ASQ published journals for free on-line, or I can be a member, pay for an additional journal, and not have access to the other journals published by ASQ on-line. :confused:

Does make you wonder who ASQ management identifies as their primary customers that they need to keep and satisfy.

Another interesting note - ASQ is continuing the pattern of

Six Sigma ISO Baldrige

are the only quality methodologies.

See http://www.asq.org/newsroom/news/2005/06/20050614utilities.html

Count how many times each of the three words above come up.

Count how many times control charts, Deming, Juran, Pareto, statistics comes up.

This is an "Impartial Resource"?

This is a great discussion, and I'm happy to see comments from both sides of the aisle.

I joined ASQ 2 years ago because I was interested in formalizing my skills and training in Quality Improvement. Even though I've been doing this kind of work for 20+ years, I had no "paper" to say that I was "in compliance" with some set of standards. Happily, I just certified as a Six Sigma Black Belt.

I don't live in a city that has a section, so I can't participate. But, I can get a lot of information from both the ASQ site and other sites, and I don't feel "left out" of anything.

I, too, have sent several replies to the ASQ folks. One was a need for volunteers. After 3+ months, that email is unanswered. That seems to be the norm...I'm not sure if the email addresses are out of date or some "global" box is not being monitored.

I also have a problem that a "non-profit" organization is doing so much for-profit work (selling books, offering consulting services) that is in competition with its' members efforts. That smacks of taking the bread from my table.

Hopefully, I haven't stepped on too many toes with my remarks. That is not the intention.

Best regards and thanks for the chance to comment.

Folks this thread increase my knowledge about ASQ,membership etc, alot of things I never thought ( take for granted) about before now I can make an informed decision. But please if someone positively share his opinion he/she can do that in here. :thanks:

Folks this thread increase my knowledge about ASQ,membership etc, alot of things I never thought ( take for granted) about before now I can make an informed decision. But please if someone positively share his opinion he/she can do that in here. :thanks:

I hesitated to renew, but did so this week. I have been involved with ASQC and ASQ since 1967, and a continuous member since 1982. Been a Senior Member for about 12 years,and a CQE since 1986. They provided valuable resources and training when I was just starting out in this career as a pup. I thought maybe it's time to hang it up, but since my company pays the dues and I still do get some benefit from being a member I went ahead. I guess ASQ still holds enough interest, recognition and prestige world wide to warrant being a member. Especially since I have already invested so much for so long. Thats my feeling even though I had mixed emotions about it. Maybe more out of loyality than sense, but hey I did it.

Another interesting note - ASQ is continuing the pattern of

Six Sigma ISO Baldrige

are the only quality methodologies.

See http://www.asq.org/newsroom/news/2005/06/20050614utilities.html

Count how many times each of the three words above come up.

Count how many times control charts, Deming, Juran, Pareto, statistics comes up.

This is an "Impartial Resource"?

The approaches of Messrs Juran and Deming are time proven. They do not deserve to be ignored or considered as out of fashion because one wants merely to cash in on the latest buzz words and fads.

There is a global world beyond the confines of any single nation. And, it seems to me somewhat sad that the proven successes of Messrs Juran and Deming first beyond the USA shores should not continue to have the preminence they deserve, especially from organizations that have so substantially profitted and benefitted from their efforts and achievements, from their writings and contributions to the BOK of the quality profession.

When it comes to such organizations one is reminded of King Lear Act i, scene 4, 310: "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!"

It is time to move on while retaining one's dedication to one's profession first and foremost. That is a conclusion to which I came some time ago, Steve.

Verstehen sie?

The curse of providing a content rich website is that there are always folks out there who are willing to take for free and try to make money on the labor of others. There are ways, of course, to publish content and prevent folks from easily copying and redistributing that content on a different site. These techniques would dissuade the casual pirate, but hardly slow a determined professional thief. I think the evolving model is the death of copyright as we know it. The internet has significantly changed things.

First of all, our Section has about 600 members. Only about 60, regularly come to meetings and events. But those who do, get more than their money's worth. Our section works hard to provide a place where information can be exchanged, where education is available, affordable, and relevant. We provide opportunities for networking and for volunteering. All of this is done at the Local Section level. National offers endless amounts of opportunities too - but at a price.

So - if you want to take advantage of your local section, and you are concerned about the new price this year to renew of $119, join as an Associate member at $69 and add on your section for $20 more for a total of $89.
You

Today I received from ASQ a letter and application to join with my name already typed in and a Priorrity code number assigned.
I have been a member since 1982, and a senior member since 1989, and renewed my membership this year.
How do you think this kind of redundancy occurs and the extra expense to send 2 pages and a return envelope with pre-paid postage? :confused:

It was a tough decision for me. I have been a member since 1997 and a Senior Member since 1999. I was very actively involved. I was section secretary, arrangement's chair (which took many hours each month), and also did the section newspaper. I didn't perform all of these at the same time. While I did get a lot out of the section meetings, over time, (as stated in previous posts), tension on the executive committee (ex. Chair not responding to the members- so they would come to the rest of us for help which we felt we weren't really able to answer appropriately, etc.). It got so the stress out-weighed the enjoyment. My company also pays for my dues, but I decided I can still benefit by reading various articles and visiting my section website. I can do all this without the stress.

"Should i renew my ASQ membership?"

Only you can answer that question....do you benefit from ASQ membership?...if yes, then what are you waiting for...if no, then you know what not to do...if maybe, wait a year.

Here are the reasons why I became a member

- my father was a member
- CQE / CQA
- tax benefit, if you know what i mean (company paid)

Here are the reasons why i stopped

- company does not pay for it now
- CQE/CQA lost its prestige (in my eyes only)
- I get everything I need from ASQ without paying for it eg magazine

I just got an application for ASQ membership in today's mail, along with a letter telling me that I should join. That's OK, I guess, but I have been a longtime member, and just paid my renewal a couple of months ago. I have to wonder how much $ is wasted in this manner.

I just got an application for ASQ membership in today's mail, along with a letter telling me that I should join. That's OK, I guess, but I have been a longtime member, and just paid my renewal a couple of months ago. I have to wonder how much $ is wasted in this manner.
Actually, it might be cheaper to bulk-mail the solicitations indiscriminately. What they might not have taken into account is the fact that longtime members might feel insulted by being asked to join.

Jim is on the right track here. ASQ buys mailing lists from various "good sources." Any of us is liable to be on multiple lists. The problem with trying to purge the mailing lists of existing member names is that the purchased or rented mailing lists may not have the name the same as ASQ carries it.

Craig has a different first name. ASQ even has difficulty matching "Wes" with the name "Wesley" carried on the ASQ rolls. So, I've gotten multiple invitations to ASQ and other organizations and events because one mailing list may have me identified by initials, and my old machining company. Another with "Wes" and the aerospace company I worked for, Yet another with "W. Joseph" and my family's investment company. Add to that, helpful friends who think they do me a favor by filling in my name at the bottom of a "bingo card" where it asks, "Do you have any colleagues who should be invited?"

Of course, that doesn't even count the misspelled variations:
bruce
bucky
brucy
busey
byrns
I particularly like "puce" (an interesting color.)

Wes, once again I think you have nailed the root cause. My first name is not Craig, but Robert. The solicitation was addressed to R Hxxxxxxxx.

So, it is quite possible that they did kick out one or two other contacts that were actually me.

Bumping an old thread with a related question.

I let my ASQ membership (10+ years) expire a couple years ago. I was not getting much out of it, and I would have had to pay the renewal myself, so I let it go.

My three certifications (CQM, CQE, CQA) are now coming up for renewal and I would like to keep them current. It is only $20 extra to rejoin and recertify instead of recertifying as a non-member, so I figure I might as well rejoin.

Is there a way to re-instate my old membership? Is there a benefit in doing so? I do recall getting some "please come back" mailings, but am sure I never saved them.

I've passed this on to ASQ staff, we'll see if we get a response.

Edit- Response received, and posted below.

Bumping an old thread with a related question.

I let my ASQ membership (10+ years) expire a couple years ago. I was not getting much out of it, and I would have had to pay the renewal myself, so I let it go.

My three certifications (CQM, CQE, CQA) are now coming up for renewal and I would like to keep them current. It is only $20 extra to rejoin and recertify instead of recertifying as a non-member, so I figure I might as well rejoin.

Is there a way to re-instate my old membership? Is there a benefit in doing so? I do recall getting some "please come back" mailings, but am sure I never saved them.

I was a member for almost 10 years then was expired for about 9 months. I was able to rejoin with no problem. Even got the Senior Member benefit like I never left.

Check their web site. Do you remember you old member number? That might help.

I have received the following reply from ASQ:

Hi Steve,

In response to the questions about renewing ASQ membership:


Is there a way to re-instate my old membership? YES - As Stated in the ASQ Bylaws: Members can be reinstated and have membership discontinuity eliminated if lapsed years of membership are paid at the current rate at the time of the reinstatement regardless of the rate that was in effect when the membership lapsed.

So - Yes we could reinstate the membership to keep continuity. Basically, Mr. Vehoski would need to pay for 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 at the rate of $119 for each year = $357. However, if he was unemployed during these years he could use the two years of unemployment and just pay the $119.

Is there a benefit in doing so? Yes – because of our two longevity benefits as well as advancing to the status of Fellow within the society.

1. ASQ unemployment program - This benefit applies to members who want to retain their membership, but have difficulty renewing because they are currently unemployed. Membership dues are $119.00 for current Regular, Senior, and Fellow members. Participating members receive a discount on their membership renewal based on consecutive years of membership:

• Receive a 50% discount if you have 1-4 consecutive years of membership. You must complete your first year as a Regular member before applying for this option.

• Receive a 100% discount if you have 5+ consecutive years of membership.

2. ASQ retirement program - This benefit applies to members who are completely retired. Membership dues are $119.00 for current Regular, Senior, and Fellow members. Participating members receive a discount on their membership renewal based on consecutive years of membership:

• Receive a 25% discount if you have 10-19 consecutive years of membership.

• Receive a 50% discount if you have 20-29 consecutive years of membership.

• Receive a 100% discount if you have 30+ consecutive years of membership.

Then I remind the member of regular member benefits - access to people, tools and ideas that advance the quality movement while positively impacting their performance, career and the bottom line.


ASQ is continuously incorporating members’ suggestions to improve your ASQ experience. Recent enhancements include:

• Newly revamped "My ASQ" page designed to simplify navigation and match content to

your specified area of use



• Wide-range of online training added to save you time and money while increasing your

knowledge base - currently over 100 web-based training titles available



• Improved member discounts - you now save up to 40% on the list price of every

Quality Press published book.



Mr. Vehoski can contact me directly if he has additional questions and/or wants to get his membership renewed. Thank you for asking.





ASQ

Karen Prosser, Program Administrator

American Society for Quality