OVERVIEW
Since 1958 ASHE has established itself as the only organization that represents all interests, public and private, within the highway
industry. Evidence of our success is apparent in the activities and industry interaction seen throughout the Regions and Sections
that comprise the organization. As we look to the future, we must continue to focus on those activities that have contributed to
the continued success of the organization as we plan the future stability and growth of ASHE. These activities include:
• Expansion and growth in new geographical areas and within our current areas of strength.
• Maintaining appropriate representation from all sectors of the highway industry within our membership.
• Elevating the influence and image of ASHE within the highway industry.
• Assuming a leadership role in promoting careers related to the highway industry.
• Become the forum of choice for discussion of highway industry related issues including project delivery, policy, and politics.
• Promote fellowship and information exchange between all sectors of the highway industry.
• Form strategic alliances with other organizations when appropriate.
• Assure the governing documents are current and relevant to the vision, mission, and values of ASHE.
The foregoing actions have served to maintain and continually reaffirm the Vision, Mission and Values of ASHE which are stated below.
VISION
The American Society of Highway Engineers will become a nationally recognized forum for the highway industry by:
• Increasing ASHE visibility;
• Promoting careers in the highway industry;
• Increasing and expanding membership;
• Balancing membership diversity;
• Providing value to its members; and
• Maintaining ASHE values.
MISSION
"Provide a forum for members and partners of the highway industry to promote a safe, efficient and sustainable highway system
through education, innovation and fellowship."
VALUES
Diversity:
We value, respect, and include people from all sectors of the highway industry.
Innovation:
We encourage innovation in the highway industry by providing educational opportunities and participating in technology transfer.
Integrity:
We conduct ourselves responsibly, ethically, and honestly.
Fellowship:
We value the opportunity to interact with our members and all partners in the highway industry.
Quality:
We strive for the highest quality in our membership services and partner relationships.
This Strategic Plan focuses on five primary goals that will serve to preserve the Vision, Mission and Values of ASHE.
PRIMARY GOALS
Goal 1 – Improve Internal Communications
Improving and maintaining communications within ASHE, from the National Board to our members within the Regions and Sections,
is essential to retain consistency in the operations, visibility and recognition of the organization as the highway forum of choice. As
we expand the Regions and charter Sections in new geographical areas, there must be a focus on whom ASHE represents as a
national organization while maintaining the strength and flexibility of the Sections. It is the responsibility of the National Board to
provide the tools, guidance and assistance needed to support the new members and Sections.
Strategies:
• Develop and disseminate a Tool Box of information that will provide an easy guide for the routine administrative responsibilities
of the Regions and Sections.
• Establish links on the National Website for access by the Regions/Sections to the Tool Box.
• Commit a section of the SCANNER for communicating current events of importance directly to the members.
• Recognize a Region/Section in the SCANNER when warranted.
• Provide an open forum at the National Conference for discussion amongst the National Board, National Committee Chairs and
the Region and Section representatives.
• Offer financial grants to Sections for Society Exposure.
• Increase the role of the National Board in the ASHE National Conference.
Actions:
• Develop the Tool Box and website links within one year of approval of the Strategic Plan.
• Review and update the Tool Box annually as needed.
• Develop guidelines for providing Section grants.
• Develop procedures within one year for Region/Section recognition in the SCANNER.
• Reinvest National’s share of conference profits into future ASHE National Conferences.
Goal 2 – Improve External Communications
Equally important to maintaining the visibility and recognition of ASHE within the highway/transportation industry is the
implementation of concise communications externally to key industry leaders. ASHE is to become the forum of choice for the
discussion and advancement of decisions that support quality in our transportation systems through comprehensive/meaningful
dialogue with Federal, State and Local legislators, transportation agency leadership and key industry representatives. Enhance and
exploit the respect ASHE has earned since its inception with a focused/proactive communication program that will benefit both the
transportation decision makers and the growth and recognition of ASHE.
Strategies:
• Maximize the use of the communication tools already available to the National Board, such as the SCANNER, Exhibit Booth,
National Website and the National Directors.
• Annual commitment to ASHE advertisements in industry publications that promote the organization or promote current
transportation issues.
• Support critical transportation policy and funding issues.
• Recognize special achievements within the highway industry.
• Actively pursue ASHE sponsorship or co-sponsorship of transportation related conferences.
Actions:
• Develop an annual External Communication Plan and Budget that is consistent with realizing the goals of the Strategic Plan.
• Within six months of approval of the 2009-2012 Strategic Plan, develop a three year plan for maximizing use of the SCANNER
and National Website outside of the current ASHE membership to promote the goals and growth of ASHE.
• Outline a plan by January 1, 2010 or the National Board to prepare position statements on appropriate legislation or
transportation policy issues for publication in the SCANNER and website and for distribution outside of ASHE.
• Within six months of approval of the 2009-2012 Strategic Plan develop a plan and schedule for utilizing up to two pages of the
SCANNER to highlight significant achievements within the highway industry by a Region, Section or Member and for a Legislative
Review editorial.
• Develop a maximum of two advertisements annually for publication in industry trade circulars.
• Develop a plan for ASHE to sponsor or co-sponsor a minimum of one national, regional or local conference annually.
• Develop guidelines for special industry achievement awards.
Goal 3 – Establish Strategic Alliances
The visibility, credibility and expansion of ASHE will also be realized through collaboration with other established industry associations.
Strategic alliances with other organizations that share similar positions on transportation policy and funding issues will serve to
elevate the awareness of ASHE, provide a stronger voice and expand the opportunity for sharing resources and services.
Strategies:
• Establish a relationship with those organizations that best compliment the Vision, Mission and Values of ASHE.
• Establish working relationships with the Local, State and Federal Transportation Agencies within the Regions and
Sections of ASHE.
• Establish working relationships with the contractors, utility owners and material suppliers.
Actions:
• Within six months of approval of the 2009-2012 Strategic Plan, prepare guidelines for establishing collaborative alliances with
Local, State and Federal Transportation agencies.
• Within one year, develop a plan for establishing an alliance with a national contractor organization or a local affiliate.
• Identify and develop a plan for strategic alliances with other professional organizations.
Goal 4 – Expand and Maintain Membership Strength and Viability
In order to fulfill the Vision of ASHE, as stated in this Strategic Plan, the organization must expand into new geographical
areas. However, as ASHE expands into other locations there must also be a focus on maintaining the strength, viability and
growth of the existing Sections. The health of the existing Sections must be nurtured by the National Board. Retaining all
members is critical to supporting growth within the existing Sections, as well as the expansion of ASHE.
Strategies:
• Develop programs to encourage new membership in existing Sections.
• Promote member recognition within the Sections.
• Promote student outreach programs.
• Promote young member programs.
• Provide support and guidance to the Sections to assist with the retention of existing members.
• Expand the ASHE organization geographically, as outlined on the approved ASHE Conceptual Regional Expansion Plan,
for reorganizing the existing nine Regions.
Actions:
• Require the development of a website for every Section by July 1, 2010 and have an approved link to the National Website by
January 1, 2011.
• Use the National Website for the dissemination of member retention information and guidelines to the Sections.
• Use the National Website for member recognition.
• Develop guidelines for both student outreach and young member programs.
• Maximize use of the SCANNER to focus on membership issues beginning with the winter issue 2010.
• Within one year, submit a plan and schedule for the development of an ASHE Store for use at the discretion of the members
of ASHE thereby promoting consistency in the image of ASHE across the Regions and Sections.
• Schedule National Board Meetings at Section locations, as requested.
• National Directors to report quarterly on viability of the Sections within their Region.
• Develop a Recovery Plan for National to assist Sections with diminishing membership when needed.
• Develop a plan for Phase 1 of the ASHE Conceptual Regional Expansion Plan which will outline the reorganization of the
existing Regions within 24 months of the approval of this Strategic Plan.
• Develop a plan immediately to address National Board oversight and Section representation for new Sections chartered
in areas outside the current boundaries of Regions 1 through 9.
Goal 5 – Promote Education and Technology Transfer
Education, innovation and fellowship are the key elements of the ASHE Mission Statement. The core principle upon which this
organization was founded relies primarily upon sponsoring continuing education and information transfer amongst the diversified
partners within the highway industry. The continued growth and expansion of ASHE relies on the promotion of education and
technology transfer as its highest goal.
Strategies:
• Promote the use of the Section and National Websites to disseminate externally and internally information of interest that
supports quality and innovation in the design, construction, maintenance and operation of highways.
• Engage students early to promote highway industry careers.
• Continue using the SCANNER to distribute project experiences of interest to the members and to industry leaders.
• Encourage the sponsorship of scholarships and technical seminars by the Regions and Sections.
Actions:
• Within one year create a page on each Section Website and the National Website for the use of educational and technology
information and the posting of scheduled seminars.
• Develop generic scholarship program guidelines for use by Sections.
• Maintain Student Member Guidelines to the Sections.
• Establish Student Member Section or outreach program within each Section in the next three years.
• Within one year establish a Highway Industry Career Committee and prepare a plan, to include a speaker bureau, for
conducting career day and technical presentations within the Regions and Sections.
• Encourage Regions and Sections to establish a speaker bureau.
• Investigate educational organizations for potential partnerships to co-sponsor continuing education opportunities for
ASHE members.
