Mitch, I believe we can summarize it in one word: opportunity. Opportunity to learn, opportunity to teach, opportunity to bring forth one's technical and other skills (e.g., business development), opportunity to help one's community, country, and the world, just to name a few. A professional society has to motivate members to focus on this type of opportunities. ASCE seems to do a better job than many other societies I have experience with, but there is a lot of room to improve. I hope this is helpful.
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James Stalker Ph.D.,A.M.ASCE
President & CEO
RESPR, Inc.
Tolland CT
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