Message from the Chair – October 2021

“Improvement usually means doing something that we have never done before.”

- Shigeo Shingo

Hello Quality Professionals!

Falling leaves, football, pumpkin spice latte and a return to The Bluff; all sure signs autumn is here. The last in-person meeting at The Bluff was held September 2020, and it was the only face to face meeting since COVID restrictions were implemented in March 2020. Many things have changed since that time, such as working from home, virtual ASQ conferences and Zoom ASQ Presents! monthly meetings; and things will continue to change in this new environment. The section leadership has learned there are people who prefer a virtual option. Responding to that need, the section is now offering a Zoom component for our preparation courses, as well as the traditional face to face instruction. Although there were lessons learned along the way, the hybrid classes have been well received by the students.

Meeting surveys also indicated members wanted a virtual option for the ASQ Presents! monthly meetings. The SLC acted on these comments and will begin offering a live Zoom experience for the meetings at The Bluff. To provide a hybrid meeting experience, we may need to change the agenda of the meeting. For instance, networking and eating dinner in the first half of the meeting, followed by a break, then conducting business, the tutorial and the main presentation in the second half of the meeting. This would result in a smoother flow for the Zoom component. Please stay tuned for details, as we navigate through this new process. I am sure it will be a learning opportunity and I ask for your patience in advance, as we experiment with hybrid meetings.

Please join me October 14th, to hear Mark Rusco speaking on “Updates to the AIAG/VDA FMEA Manual.” Mark’s educational impact and professional expertise make him a significant quality influencer in our section, and this is the fifth year in a row that Mark has kicked off the section program year. This promises to be another engaging presentation that provides Knowledge – Networking – Opportunities to quality professionals in West Michigan.

Thank you for your continued support of the Grand Rapids Section!

Ken Phillips,

Chair Grand Rapids Section 1001