Who are these people?
Edward P. Salek, CAE, Executive Director | TLT Headquarters Report December 2019
In many ways, STLE’s newest members are diverse and distinct.
To ensure a future base for the society, STLE’s board of directors has made recruiting student members a top priority.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Robert Erck
During the past 12 months, more than 500 people have become STLE members. While the number itself is noteworthy in terms of its size, looking more closely at what they do and where they work demonstrates that STLE offers benefits that appeal to individuals and companies with diverse backgrounds.
About half the total (253) are people who joined as regular individual members, based on the fact that they have a science or engineering degree, hold one of STLE’s certifications or have substantial work experience in the field. While they have common credentials, the many ways this expertise gets applied is evident when you scan the list of job titles. It includes product managers, research and formulation chemists, reliability engineers and technical services managers. But there also are scientists and professors, business development directors, a chief technology officer and even a few presidents and CEOs.
Regardless of title, the annual dues for individual membership now stands at $160 (U.S.). Options for a two-year term at $310 or three years for $435 provide savings and convenience. Individual dues rates, and for all other classifications, will not increase in 2020.
The next largest group (145) of new members is students. Several years ago, STLE’s board decided to target students in an effort to build a future base for the society. Incentives include a $25 annual membership fee, deep discounts on meeting fees and the opportunity to compete for a variety of professional awards and scholarships.
Student membership may be granted to any individual majoring in physics, chemistry, engineering or other related technical or scientific disciplines and enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program or graduate program in an accredited academic institution. Students receive full access to all member services and benefits.
With 45 individuals, associate members are the third largest group. These people are actively involved in the field but do not have an undergraduate science or engineering degree. Many of these people transition to full membership by earning a certification or based on their tenure in the tribology and lubricants business. This is another category being targeted for future growth through outreach to individuals in technical schools and other similar institutions.
In the past year STLE also added 20 companies from the group honored in this issue of TLT—Corporate Members. This reflects the fact that STLE is what’s known as a hybrid organization, meaning we offer both individual and company memberships. Corporate Members receive significant savings on STLE products and services designed to help companies educate their employees, market their businesses and network with an international audience.
STLE’s approximately 250 Corporate Members pay $1,285 a year for a basic level of service or $3,540 for a premium membership. For more on the value of corporate membership, see President Mike Duncan’s article
here.
In addition to the variation among types of membership, 2019’s new-member class is diverse in geography and age. About 40% (191/500) of them are located outside the U.S. The top three countries represented are Canada (46), China (30) and the United Kingdom (20). Other significant numbers of new members came from South Africa (based on a reciprocal agreement with the South Africa Institute of Tribology) and Mexico.
Although not everyone provides age information on their application form, it is interesting to note that 91 out of the 140 people who did are 30 or younger. The majority of people in this category are students, as would be expected.
Heading into the new year, STLE will look more closely at the profile of its audience by conducting a member-needs study. A parallel study will gather data on the characteristics and needs of non-members. This survey will help STLE better understand the member experience, identify valued resources and enhance benefits to help tribology and lubrication engineering professionals advance their personal and professional goals.
You can reach Certified Association Executive Ed Salek at esalek@stle.org.