The Last Word on the Results of the ASAE International Member Survey

by

James Skeoch Townsend

The original version of the Results of the ASAE International Member Survey was published in Resource magazine in November 1996 (3(11):15-16). This version, The Last Word, has been slightly edited and updated with late returns and adds increased coverage of the results but presents essentially the same results as previously.

The survey of international members of ASAE was sent to over 960 international members who reside outside of North America. In the end 255 responses were received from 68 countries (A to Z - Argentina to Zimbabwe) which was a response rate of over 26 percent. This response rate is much higher than expected indicating that international members are either very good correspondents or they really had something to tell ASAE. It is my feeling that they had something important to tell ASAE. It seems that ASAE was listening.

Question one, and the main focus of the survey, attempted to find out the five most important reasons why non North American residents were members of ASAE. There were eight choices presented and a space given to write in a specific additional personal reason not already covered in the first eight choices or reasons for belonging to ASAE. Members were asked to indicate which reasons were most important (indicated by a 1) and which reasons were least important (indicated by a 5). A response with a number between 1 and 5 indicated lesser importance for the reason for belonging to ASAE.

The reason selected as most important by the most members was simply to receive the basic membership ASAE publications (Resource magazine, etc.). Fifty-four percent of those members who responded to this reason scored it with a 1 or 2. As it turned out, the reason "To improve my technical expertise" scored equally as well (54 percent of those responding to this reason scored it 1 or 2). The next most popular reason for belonging to ASAE was that ASAE's database of agricultural engineering standards and engineering practice was very important to the international member. Forty-eight percent of those who responded to this reason rated it with a 1 or 2. Not far behind with 47 percent was the reason "To develop professional/business contacts through networking opportunities". And, the fifth most important reason for belonging to ASAE was that members felt that ASAE is an important organization (44 percent of those responding to this reason rated it 1 or 2).

The "also rans", in order of popularity, were; 6) to purchase ASAE publications at member prices, 7) to attend ASAE international meetings and conferences, and 8) my colleagues are members. This last reason, my colleagues are members, was considered very unimportant with 62 percent of those who responded to this reason scoring it with a 4 or 5.

The leading additional personal reason (Item 1.9 Other) for being a member of ASAE was simply to keep up with world wide agricultural engineering professional activities. There were 24 respondents who thought that this was true. Other reasons given, in descending order of number of responses, were: ASAE membership indicates good professional status (11), to belong to a professional society (7), to take advantage of the group insurance (3), to have the opportunity to publish through ASAE (3), and it got to be a habit since 1965 (1).

Question two gave international members an opportunity to tell ASAE what additional benefits and services they would like to see ASAE offer. Question six, although not intended to be similar, was also answered in the same way, i.e., international members offering advice to ASAE on how to better serve the international member. Therefore, the results of questions two and six are given here together in summary.

It should be pointed out that many persons had no response to either question 2 or question 6. Forty-three percent of the respondees had nothing to say for question 2, indicating that they thought ASAE was doing OK or that there was nothing more that they wanted form ASAE in the way of services. The high no response percentage to question 6 probably indicates that the question was difficult to understand ... sorry about that!

It should also be pointed out that just as ASAE members are a very diverse group, so were the responses to questions 2 and 6. I hope that members will understand that it was necessary to summarize the great variety of answers into several basic categories. The top five responses (after no response) are specifically reported here with a comment on several other responses. But, rest assured that ASAE has been informed of each and every response.

The most popular response, by far, to the combined question 2 and 6 was the need for better communication, especially through the internet and email. Around 111 responses were in this general area and included suggestions for more technical information, more member-to-member contacts, timely meeting notices, timely calls for papers, better mail service, better lists of coming events, an improved home page, a list server, and other suggestions all directed at better communications with a definite emphasis on email.

The second most popular response, with 56 responses, was suggestions to hold ASAE meetings and conferences, annual or regional, outside of North America. It was suggested that these meetings could be specialty conferences.

Next came the dream of not only international members but most members everywhere, the hope for lower registration fees for Annual Meetings. Forty-one persons suggested lower registration fees for Annual Meetings and/or differential fees for non North America resident members.

The fourth most popular response was suggestions for more appropriate technology items for members in the international area, including items dealing with rural women's issues (37 responses in total). Several respondents chided ASAE to not forget agriculture!

And the fifth most popular response, with 16 responses, called for more technical and international news in Resource Magazine, including paper abstracts, summaries of US university research, and titles of papers presented with authors names.

Other interesting and intriguing responses included suggestions for 1) an Asian edition of ASAE publications, 2) translation to other languages of important ASAE publications, 3) continuing education courses by correspondence, 4) opening of foreign regional offices, and 5) giving assistance in locating sabbatical leave opportunities in North America.

Question three asked the international members if they belonged to other technical or professional societies. Over 86 percent of the respondents indicated that they belonged to other technical or professional societies. What does this mean? Well, to me it means that agricultural engineers are persons who are professionally involved and take an active role in trying to solve the engineering problems of today's agriculture, wherever the problems may be.

Question four asked the international members if they would be willing to assist visiting agricultural engineers. Seventy percent of those responding to this question said they would be willing to assist visiting agricultural engineers. The main written responses here indicated a willingness to share research activities, conduct local tours, and arrange for seminar opportunities for the visitors to present their research.

Question five asked the international members if they would be willing to act as mentors for local agricultural engineering students. Again, the respondents indicate generous willingness to act as mentors with 68 percent indicating so. To me, this response again shows the dedication of agricultural engineers in wanting to be professionally involved.

If you have questions about this summary, do not hesitate to get in touch with me. I can be reached by mail at: J.S. Townsend, SEATAB Consulting Services, 446 Kingston Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R2M 0T9. My email address is: townsend@mb.sympatico.ca

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