Volunteer Opportunities

The ASME Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Committee is seeking a Chair-Elect to serve on the committee beginning in January 2018 and, upon approval by the Public Affairs and Outreach Council, to begin serving as Chair in June 2018. 

About the Committee

Diversity and inclusion are ingrained within ASME’s mission, vision and core values. The Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Committee (DISC) is one of the mechanisms by which we ensure that we are progressing toward those ideals. ASME’s bylaws state that “The Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Committee … shall provide insight and advice into promoting diversity within ASME and mechanical engineering.” DISC reports up to the PA&O Council.

The Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Committee’s vision is to be the essential partner and resource for advising ASME leadership on US and global diversity and inclusion strategies.

Our mission is to develop diversity and inclusion strategies that:

• Communicate the excitement of engineering to all people and cultures
• Advance the dissemination and application of engineering knowledge globally
• Deploy solutions to improve the quality of life and benefit all humankind

As ASME is increasingly working in a global environment, striving to engage more student and early career engineers, and facing demographic shifts domestically, globally, and in the field of engineering, our efforts in diversity and inclusion are more essential than ever. The Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Committee’s efforts are focused both internally and externally.

• Internally, the committee works to foster diversity, ensure inclusive practices, raise awareness of unconscious bias, and promote cultural competence. This is done via trainings, communications, and events that support these goals.
• Externally, the committee seeks to promote these values in engineering at large. This is done via participation, as representatives of ASME, in coalitions, partnerships, as well as activities sponsored by other societies that support diversity and inclusion in the field of engineering.

About the Chair-Elect Position

The Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Committee membership consists of a Chair, Immediate Past Chair, and six members-at-large. The Chair serves a 3-year term and may choose to renew once, for a second three-year term. The role of the Chair is to lead the committee and to be the lead advocate for diversity and inclusion both within ASME and without. The committee meets face-to-face twice a year: at the International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Expo in November and at the ASME Annual Meeting in June. The Committee meets bi-monthly by phone, and subgroups of the committee may meet at other times, as needed. In addition to serving on the Committee, the Chair may be asked to attend other meetings, sponsored by ASME and other organizations, as a representative of ASME. The Chair also serves as a member of the Public Affairs and Outreach Council. 

To Apply:

If you are interested in being considered for one of the Member-At-Large positions, please send a letter of interest, a letter of support from another ASME member, your ASME committee history, and your resume or CV, to Clare Bruff, Senior Manager, Executive Operations, at bruffc@asme.org. The letter should outline the following:

• Demonstrated experience in diversity and inclusion leadership
• Priorities for the Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Committee

All nominations must be received by Friday, December 1, 2017. If you have any questions, please contact Clare Bruff at bruffc@asme.org or (212) 591-8367.