Right up to the blizzard that hit us, Stu Weiss, our 2002-2003 Chairman, was planning to drive to Storrs on Student Night. This plan was in spite of having been scheduled for triple bypass surgery on the next day.
However, his doctor moved the operation up 2¼ hours, forcing Stu to cancel. We are glad to report that the surgery went well. Stu returned home on March 14 and continues his recovery with support of his wife and the well wishes of his friends.

Our Executive Committee is reexamining the ASM Hartford Core Competencies. What are our unique strengths? I'm very impressed with Jim Collins's approach to pathfinding. In his book Good to Great, he presents three overlapping circles, which represent individual or organization main strengths. He calls it the Hedgehog Concept. These circles identify three questions: What are you really good at - maybe, even, what can you be best in the world at? Second, what are you deeply passionate about? And third, what will people pay for? In other words, what are the human needs and wants being met that would drive your economic engine? The nexus between these three overlapping circles represents the foundation of your, as an individual, or ours, as an organization, value proposition.

Good to Great                     The 8th Habit

If we were to add one more question, What does your conscience counsel? We would have the whole-person approach (body - economic engine; mind - be best at; heart - passion; spirit - conscience) suggested by Stephen Covey in his book, The 8th Habit. The overlapping of all four areas is where your (our) voice is to be found. This approach would apply to an individual finding his or her voice, as well as our organization, the ASM Hartford Chapter, finding its voice.

The Hartford Chapter 2005 Annual Golf Outing will be another Classic. Rebecca Gatzen has booked a shotgun start at Blackledge Country Club in Hebron for September 14, 2005. You will want to give every edge to your game by attending our May 10, 2005 meeting and investigating with Bob Haag the Metallurgy and Materials Science of Golf.

Networking to help you succeed through ASM Hartford,
Arnie Grot
Executive Committee

Based on the ASM vision "To be the first stop resource for technical knowledge, education, networking and professional development for members and customers in the metals and materials community," the Hartford Chapter is The first stop information source for the materials industry in northern Connecticut.

ACerS, ASM and TMS partner on the brightest new student program for MS&E students - MATERIAL ADVANTAGE!!!
ASM International has excitedly announced the new, premier membership option for post-secondary students attending institutions within North America. ASM International, along with The Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society (TMS), and The American Ceramic Society (ACerS) teamed to create Material Advantage (www.materialadvantage.org), which replaces the ASM/TMS Joint Student Program and ACerS Student Program. Students are invited to join the Material Advantage program for the low cost of $25 and have access to the benefits and services of all three societies.