This letter appears in the April 2021 issue of ASNT’s journal Materials Evaluation. It is included here in its entirety in celebration of National Volunteer Appreciation Week.
When I was 18 years old and watching the inaugural address of former President George H.W. Bush, I was touched by his vision for the country, not from a political perspective but a service motive. During his speech, he extended a personal invitation to take action through service when he said, “We can find meaning and reward by servicing some higher purpose than ourselves, a shining purpose, the illumination of a thousand points of light…We all have something to give.”
This is National Volunteer Appreciation Week (18–24 April). You—our member volunteers—are our points of light that shine across the world. On behalf of all our members, our industry, and countless people across the world who will never see you but will see our (your) points of light—thank you! Your passion and tireless efforts are the keys to our heritage that will continue to unlock our future. Imagine the world without ASNT for just one short moment. If you are anything like me, that scenario becomes quite dark.
Winston Churchill once said, “You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.” When I look back, I can never repay the debts that the people within ASNT and our industry have afforded me. How can we repay this debt? How about “volunteering it forward”?
Do you volunteer? Are you involved in our Society? How do you feel when you help others, either personally or professionally? I do not know about you, but the feeling I get is perhaps the greatest feeling of accomplishment and joy I have ever felt.
Our volunteers are our heart. We must continue to gather more volunteers into key positions within the Society. With our expanded programs and mission, we probably need more volunteers now than we have in many years. It begs the question: Are we attracting volunteers to be called to serve ASNT and our vital purpose? If not, what do we need to do?
There are different ways we can volunteer through action: through our local sections or at the national level, through schools or mentoring, and many other ways. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the beating heart of ASNT. Despite all of the uncertainly in the world, I implore you to volunteer and join a professional organization where you can be much more than just a member. We are a family. On occasion, like many families, we can be a bit dysfunctional; yet I can attest that we have some of the best volunteers in the world.
Looking to my local section (Greater Houston), I would like to personally recognize Deal Moore. I have had the honor to watch his selfless volunteer energy for over 20 years, and I can tell you that Deal has been a point of light that shines for many, including myself.
Our volunteer members are the thousand points of light in our Society, industry, and extended global NDT family. They are not only volunteers but are truly messengers of hope, showing us what is good in this world while also having some fun promoting knowledge, care, and safety. If you are a volunteer, thank you for helping us to create a safer world. If not, will you become one of ASNT’s points of light illuminating how we can continue to become a safer, better world?
Remember—it’s better to volunteer than to be voluntold! Be safe, thank you, and wheels up.
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John T. Iman is the 2020–2021 ASNT President.
More information on ASNT membership, volunteer opportunities, or how to join a committee, can be found on the ASNT website asnt.org.
From Materials Evaluation, Vol. 79, No. 4, p. 339. ©2021 American Society for Nondestructive Testing.