Northern California SME Section

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  • 1.  Section News March 2020

    Posted 03-10-2020 02:58 PM
    For those of you unable to attend the SME Annual Meeting in Phoenix last month, it was a good one.  The energy from the attendees was overwhelming, the vendors who were in the exhibit hall seemed to be busy taking care of customers and obtaining leads and the technical sessions were once again over the top.  There even seemed to be a lot of hiring going on by the companies present. It was a pleasure getting to send Dr. Hugh Miller, outgoing President, on to become Past President and welcome in Bob Schafer as the new President.  The major work accomplished under Hugh's term was the re-do of the Strategic Plan.  These were broken down into the following areas:
    • SME'S VISION - Building a better world through mining, metallurgy and underground construction.
    • SME'S MISSION - SME serves the mining, resources and underground construction communities for a sustainable future.
    • SME'S CORE  VALUES - Safety, Stewardship, Innovation, Ethics, Inclusion and Collaboration.
    The Society has gone from 6 Strategic Goals under the previous Strategic Plan (2005 - 2019) to 4 under the new plan.  Bob Schafer's job is to implement the new strategic plan under his Presidency. 

    Those outstanding individuals who have contributed much to the industry were honored at Division lunches and at the awards banquet which closed the conference.  It is humbling to know that you have know and worked with many of these people over the years.

    I mention the Annual Meeting as there are about 6,700 attendees out of the SME membership of almost 15,000 who attend.  This means that the vast majority of members very seldom, if ever get the chance to attend the Annual meeting.  The strength of  SME is in the Local Sections.  There was a Section Leadership luncheon, hosted by SME, at the Phoenix meeting.   It was well attended by Section leadership from across the US and included Sections from Peru and Mexico as well.  Some Sections are doing great while others are struggling.  The Southern Calif. Section is being revitalized and has monthly meetings at Dave & Busters in Ontario.  Other Sections are experiencing membership moving away as operators shut down operations and are trying to remain viable with those left.  

    What does the future hold for the Northern California Section?   We have a large membership, interested members and a few who are willing to act as a core Leadership group.  What we need are members willing to step forward and help organizing a place to meet and eventually becoming the leaders of the future.  We have a treasurer and money in the bank.  Do I hear anyone saying they are willing to help get this Section up on its feet again?

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    William Warfield
    Roseville CA United States
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