GPS Requisition Tool Debuts, Additional Training Sessions Planned

GPS Screenshot

Last month in Denver, Colo., more than 100 ASME volunteers took part in a training session for technical division leaders focusing on the strategic directions of the Society’s new market-facing Segments under the Technical Events and Content (TEC) Sector, as well as the Groups Pathways & Support (GPS) Requisition Tool — a portal for providing support and assistance to ASME sections, technical divisions, affinity groups, research committees and other groups in planning their activities. Additional training sessions for ASME sections and affinity groups, are being planned.

The GPS Requisition Tool, which was launched in March and is available through the GPS page, go.asme.org/gps, was developed to help the Society’s various groups engage more effectively with other members and participate in more of ASME’s available programs and services. The TEC Sector, which was formed last year, replaced ASME’s Knowledge & Community and Institutes Sectors as part of the Society’s new ONE ASME organizational plan.

Powered by ServiceNow, the GPS Requisition Tool facilitates a wide variety of services performed by the GPS Department for ASME groups, including facilitating group engagement and support; administering group activity approval processes; contract review and approval; segregated account management; database administration; training and orientation scheduling; tool development and enhancements; and administrative support for groups.

A number of other helpful tools for ASME groups can also be accessed from the GPS page. These include the Financial Reports Manager, which provides technical divisions and affinity group chairs and treasurers access to their custodial fund accounts; the Consolidated Banking & the ASME Unit Revenue and Expense Register, which can be used by U.S. section chairs and treasurers to code financial transactions through their Consolidated Banking accounts, as well as generate financial reports; and the Online Roster & List Serve Tool, which enables group leaders to find individual unit members' contact information and send an e-mail messages to the members of their unit.

During the past year, the Group Engagement Transition Team (GETT), led by Karen Ohland, has played a key role in creating the GPS Tool and developing the accompanying training sessions. The team, which includes representatives from all four ASME Sectors, was formed last year to help establish the TEC Sector and the GPS Tool. In addition, the team’s other responsibilities include ensuring open communication between ASME groups and the Sectors and Sector Management Committee; working with volunteer representatives and staff to develop pathways of engagement for groups; and communicating with and training ASME groups on the Society’s strategic direction and market focus via the GPS page.

“The GPS Requisition Tool will be invaluable for all groups as we continue to use it, said Callie Tourigny, a GETT volunteer who is also involved with the Board on Pre-College Education under the Public Affairs and Outreach Sector. “It will help us plan for the program year, track data for future usage, and support transition for all of our succession leaders. It is the true commencement of ONE ASME for our Society as every group, from sections to divisions to affinity Groups to each and every Sector, and its members can benefit with the launch.”

Cindy Stong, who also serves on the GETT and was formerly the senior vice president of the Student and Early Career Sector Council, notes, “During our recent Council meeting with the Student and Early Career Development group, we had a lot a discussion about how the data from the GPS tool was very helpful and a good start at our data gathering efforts."

"The launch of the new tool is an exciting step forward, supporting one of the goals of ONE ASME — helping groups engage more effectively with other members and participate in more of ASME’s available programs and services," added Ohland, the GETT’s team leader.

Following the May 2 training event in Denver, which had nearly 70 on-site participants and 41 webcast registrants, the Group Engagement Transition Team had also held two webinars on May 26 that looked at the new Annual Plan function offered through the GPS Tool. The presentation and the questions submitted during both webinars are posted on the GPS page. The GETT will assist with additional GPS workshops, which are planned for ASME’s Fiscal Year 2016, which begins in July and runs through next June. The first session, to be held Aug. 22 in Prague, Czech Republic, will provide training for ASME section leaders from Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

To learn more about the Global Pathways & Support Requisition Tool, visit go.asme.org/gps. For more details on upcoming GPS training sessions, contact Elio Manes, director, ASME Communities & Service, by e-mail at manese@asme.org.