5 Principles of ASQ Transformation

As an individual ASQ member, I have prepared my own position statement, along with the sources from which these positions are based.  I encourage all ASQ member leaders to prepare themselves for informed and constructive interactions and to work in the best interests of ASQ and the Quality profession.

If any of ASQ’s proposed transformation initiatives diminish or are in violation of these 5 Principles, I will communicate my concerns to the appropriate forums and contact people, and I encourage all individual member leaders to do the same.

5 Principles of Transformation for ASQ

In the absence of specific details about the proposed Transformation initiatives, I can neither endorse nor oppose anything.  I will evaluate any recommendation based on the extent to which the following 5 principles are enhanced or fulfilled:

• Quality First
• Open For Business
• Transparency and Disclosure
• Internal Consistency
• Due Process

1. Quality First: Ideally, ASQ looks for Quality options and expertise as the first option for business success.

1. Pursuit of Quality drives and directs other capabilities (i.e. accounting, project management, technology).
2. Quality is promoted externally by its unwavering adoption internally within ASQ.
3. Products and services offered and provided by ASQ meet expected acceptance criteria and service levels without compromise.

2. Open for Business: Ideally, ASQ is open for business in all markets in which it is active.  This means:
1. Offering Customer Care and access to live agents during all business hours within each market, particularly N. American time zones (Atlantic, Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific) instead of just Eastern and Central time zones.
2. Offering products and services in more primary languages of key markets (add French, Indian, Arabic, Chinese, Tagalog, German, etc.)

3. Transparency and Disclosure: As a 501( c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit society, prior to enacting or deploying any ASQ Transformation activities directly affecting sections, divisions, member units, or members in general, ASQ leadership must disclose the nature of the changes, the expected impacts, and the justifications for such changes. 
1. When changes represent a reduction of perceived benefits or member value, ASQ must gain the explicit consent of its membership to Opt In to changes
2. Changes to financial stewardship of ASQ assets must also be disclosed to the membership.
3. Any transformation must safeguard against conflict of interest, and no individual or organization may disproportionately benefit from ASQ’s activities, assets, or earnings.

4. Internal Consistency: This is the principle that where reasonable, members and member units should have similar experiences and opportunities for member benefits.  No group should have disproportionate influence or representation, and policies applied for one group or purpose should be sufficiently portable to be used within other parts of ASQ.

5. Due Process: Any transformation activities must follow the most current version of bylaws and governing policies currently posted on the ASQ website
1. Transformations cannot be made retroactively following a policy change (i.e. Allotments to sections cannot be reduced from $18.25/member to $10.00/member retroactively to 1990, forcing ASQ sections to return money to ASQ HQ).
2. If a change is made to the policies that would represent a material revision of section or division operating agreements, those changes require review by and consent of the membership, either directly or through the representative member leaders.  In cases of chartered member units (i.e. sections, divisions) with existing operating agreements, ASQ cannot make policy changes unilaterally, but must renegotiate these individual agreements with the affected member units.
3. Assets that were acquired over time by member units through a combination of member unit allotments, the voluntary service of ASQ member leaders and members, and in-kind donations (i.e meeting rooms provided without cost to ASQ) may be ASQ assets, but are for the use and stewardship of member units.  These assets cannot be redirected toward ASQ operational or capital expenditures without the consent of the ASQ membership for those affected member units.
4. Transformation of ASQ member units must follow the current ASQ policies (refer to the summary below).

Summary of Current ASQ Bylaws and Policies pertaining to ASQ Transformation

Based on my individual review of ASQ’s governing documents, I am sharing those section which I believe are pertinent and relevant to offer guidance to any proposed changes arising from the ASQ Transformation.

BYLAWS

http://rube.asq.org/about-asq/how-we-do/pdf/asq-bylaws-board-modified-2014_11_07.pdf

2.1.4, 2.3.5, 3.4.4, 3.5.2, 4.5.2, 4.5.3, 4.5.5, 9.1.2, 9.3.3,

SECTION

http://rube.asq.org/about-asq/how-we-do/pdf/s2.pdf

S 02.00 Revision A – 03/01/13 Section Maintenance

4.8.3, 4.9.3, 4.9.4

http://rube.asq.org/about-asq/how-we-do/pdf/s-04-00.pdf

S 04.00 Revision H – 11/03/16 Section Internal Controls and Financial Reporting

3.3.4.1, 3.6, 3.6.1, 3.6.2, 3.2.6.4

DIVISION

https://asq.org/about-asq/how-we-do-it/pnp-d

D 01.00 Revision A – 4/27/06 Division – Operations and Governance

4.5.3, 4.5.10,

D 04.00 Revision B – 05/05/01 Division Treasurer & Auditing Committee Guidelines

https://asq.org/about-asq/how-we-do-it/pnp-d

4.2.1.1

FINANCIAL

F 10.02 Revision M – 05/07/15 Membership Dues Allocation to Member Units

http://rube.asq.org/about-asq/how-we-do/pdf/f-10-02.pdf

3.1, 3.2.1, 3.4

GENERAL

G 42.00 Revision A – 5/02/1998 Joint Activities of Society and Member Units

http://rube.asq.org/about-asq/how-we-do/pdf/g-42-00.pdf

4.3.1, 4.3.2, 4.9.1, 4.9.2, 4.10