Connect within STLE
By Rebecca Lintow, CAE, Executive Director | TLT Headquarters Report February 2024
STLE is looking for new ways to collaborate with our community.
In the January issue of TLT, former STLE executive director Ed Salek wrote his final column. Ed was with STLE for over 27 years. Talk about a legacy! Thankfully over the last two years I’ve been able to learn from Ed—not only about STLE and tribology but about the wonderful volunteers that have helped STLE grow over the almost 80 years of STLE’s existence.
For those I haven’t met yet, I started my journey with STLE as the director of professional development in October 2021. I was focused on the learn and connect portion of STLE’s value proposition—Connect, Learn, Achieve. During that time, I was able to work with volunteers on STLE Annual Meeting courses, webinars, live programming and the implementation of a new Learning Management System. I also had the opportunity to partner with the STLE certification committee volunteers on the development of the certification exam questions. I’m now leaving those two areas in the capable hands of STLE staffers Robert Morowczynski and Susan Luers.
I’m looking forward to focusing more on the connect part of STLE’s value proposition by implementing new ways to collaborate with our community by fulfilling STLE’s Strategic Plan objectives. This includes developing new opportunities for the STLE community to connect with each other, both in person and virtually. One recent example is the STLE Committee Leadership Town Hall held virtually in December 2023, which brought together dozens of committed volunteers to collaborate, brainstorm and provide feedback that will help guide STLE’s future. Committees are the operating system of an organization and a great way to connect STLE members and volunteers. It was helpful hearing thoughts and opinions on specific topics within the organization. The attendees shared that they’d like to repeat this meeting regularly, and STLE will follow through.
Another example of connecting, in person, is the STLE Metalworking Fluid Management Program, March 12-14, at The Center in Indianapolis, Ind. This twoand- a-half-day education program offers a solid overview of metalworking fluid management and is tailored to provide industry professionals with a comprehensive look at the latest techniques and practices that are sure to improve their metalworking fluid operation. It’s also a great opportunity to connect with other metalworking fluid experts. More information is available at
www.stle.org/MWFManagement.
STLE is always looking for volunteers within the organization and new ways for members to connect with each other. If you aren’t an STLE member quite yet, consider joining and connecting with us! Please connect with me if you have any comments or thoughts on this subject. For more information on the STLE Strategic Plan, visit
www.stle.org/StrategicPlan. If you’d like to read more about STLE volunteer opportunities, visit
www.stle.org/volunteer.
You can reach Certified Association Executive Rebecca Lintow at rlintow@stle.org.