Page 64 - Winter2018

ASA Chapters
Technical Projects
Popular among student chapters, members participate in a specific project or competition. This may include measure- ments in an existing field of study or innovating for a unique problem.
The Royster Competition
Thanks to the generous support of Larry and Julia Royster, a chapter-organized poster competition is run once a year, with $5,000 in scholarship awards. It is open to full-time graduate students enrolled in a program involving acoustics or senior undergraduate students expecting to enroll in such a program. Posters must relate to hearing conservation or noise control to be eligible, with topics including education, sound surveys, engineering and administrative controls, hearing protection, and audiometric evaluations. For more information, please visit acousticstoday.org/roystercomp.
Networking, Social and Fun
Of course, fun is part of any ASA event! Events like the Philadelphia chapter’s “Jazz at the Bistro,” with good music, food, and friends, give members the opportunity to socialize and get to know their colleagues. Student chapters also hold numerous events throughout the school year, such as the Georgia Tech (Atlanta) Student Chapter Spring Semester- End Seminar and BBQ or the Pennsylvania State University MATLAB Bootcamp.
Each chapter can form fit to the requirements and abilities of their members. With some chapters meeting each month and most quarterly, members gain exposure to numerous unique events, tours, and guest speakers. The sound mixture of business and social networking events ensure each partic- ipant has the opportunity to share and grow professionally and as members of the ASA.
Those wishing to start their own regional or student chapter should contact Sandra Guzman (Guzman_Sandy@shure.com) or Ken Good (kwgoodjr@armstrong.com) or check the fol- lowing website for details on the application, charter, and ap- proval process (acousticstoday.org/asachapters).
Chapters and the Acoustical
Society of America Vision
Regional and student chapters are one of the most powerful
opportunities to advance the ASA’s Strategic Leadership for the Future Plan. Chapters meet all four of the goals identi- fied at the Strategic Leadership for the Future Summit.
Awareness of Acoustics
Chapters bring the science of acoustics home to the local level and provide an opportunity to engage businesses, orga- nizations, and colleagues of similar interest.
Member Engagement
Through the numerous meetings and events, members can remain engaged locally throughout the year even if traveling to a national meeting is not possible.
Dissemination of Information and Knowledge
Guest speakers, tours, and miniconferences further increase the opportunity of members to share and learn about the science of acoustics and related fields.
Financial Stewardship
Good stewardship is often mistaken for money not spent, but true stewardship is money WELL spent. Investing in the future of the acoustics community through student chapters and engaging sister organizations further promotes meeting each of the strategic initiatives.
The local regional chapters provide excellent opportunities for people with a wide range of interests in acoustics and related fields to get together during the year. Each regional chapter provides an ideal chance for new members to learn about the ASA and to gain experience in managing the af- fairs of the Society. The chapters should encourage not only membership in the Society but attendance at regular meet- ings as well.
References
Firestone, F. (1954). The twenty-fifth anniversary celebration. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 26, 873-905. Available at https://bit.ly/2ws70vW.
Flynn, T., and Young, S. (2018). Student council of the Acousti- cal Society of America. Acoustics Today 14(1), 63-66. Available at https://bit.ly/2MVP8ng.
Schmid, C., and Moran, E. (2006). Seventy-five years of history of the Acoustical Society of America. Acoustics Today 2(4), 34-45. Available at https://acousticstoday.org/issues/2006AT/Oct2006/#?page=36.
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