CMI campaign for the future tops halfway point.

CMI Campaign for the Future Tops Halfway Point

George Booth, general campaign manager for the $5 million capital fund raising effort announced last summer to support the Cast Metals Institute of the American Foundrymen's Society, has reported that contributions are running strongly ahead of expectations. To date, over $3 million has been pledged on behalf of the CMI fund to improve educational opportunities and facilities for the foundry industry.

Booth said that knowledge and technology were critical to maintaining the competitive position of the North American foundry industry. He added that additional funds were necessary to keep current tuition costs affordable for industry members using CMI's extensive resources, and these funds also would allow CMI to support itself. Currently, AFS subsidizes CMI operations, using funds that could be used in other areas, such as research, the development of technical publications, foundry computer software, etc, as determined by the AFS board.

Booth, who is a past president of AFS (1984-85) and is general manager of the Casting Division/Ford Motor Co, has spoken widely on American industry's need to accept the relentless challenges posed by foreign technology by being competitive in quality and cost. Toward that end, he declared, the success of the fund drive will help the foundry industry position itself more strongly as a leader in personnel and product development.

An analysis of the giving thus far has shown that monies are coming from a broad range of corporations, individuals, foundations and other sources.

According to Booth, the campaign has been organized into three divisions. They are: 1) Family Gifts from Campaign Cabinet members, AFS/CMI board members and the executive staffs of AFS/CMI, chaired by Timothy Hitchcock, an AFS past president; 2) Advanced Gifts, headed by William M. O'Neill, also an AFS past president, which solicits support from companies, individuals and foundations; and 3) Major Gifts, which includes the balance of the membership of AFS, vendors, corporations and AFS Chapters.

The Major Gifts leg of the three pronged drive is now underway. It is designed to give everyone interested in maintaining CMI's continuing education program an opportunity to contribute to the future growth of the industry.

Booth explained that the fund raising committee has divided the Society into six geographic regions to conduct the Major Gifts fund raising activities through individuals and Chapters. Early returns suggest that Chapter giving is popular among AFS members, with substantial pledges already reported from the Ontario, Wisconsin, Southwestern Ohio and Chicago Chapters.

Fund Drive Background

As early as 1985, discussions began on the future direction of the Society and CMI, with the appointment of several long-range planning committees. The chief response of the Education Committee was the recommendation that a funding program be initiated to underwrite CMI and assure overall excellence of the education programs offered.

Realizing that to do this requires money, it was agreed that the Society would undertake its first capital fund raising in the industry. However, it was recommended first that the Society try to determine its position. A subsequent industry-wide marketing survey of some 300 members and nonmembers and 50 CEOs in the foundry industry concluded that the Society and CMI were held in very high esteem and that support for a finely-tuned capital campaign would be successful.

Booth was named general chairman for the drive, supported by a Campaign Cabinet consisting of Timothy Hitchcock, Bernard Ames, Anton Dorfmueller, Charles Fausel, Burleigh Jacobs, William O'Neill, Alvin Singleton, Clyde Sanders, Arthur Barnwell, Allen Jacobson, John Miller, Glenn Stahl, Sam Carter, Dennis Spence and Allen Blumenthal.

As mentioned, the final phase of the campaign is officially underway right now with plans for its ending to be in March 1990, prior to the AFS Casting Congress and CastExpo in Detroit. Reflecting the enthusiasm of his campaign associates, Booth said that "the response to our first fund drive shows to me and everyone connected with our industry just how important CMI is to the vitality of the foundry business. The industry is united in its desire to continue the process of rebuilding itself through product and process innovations and fostering leadership among its workers."

Booth pointed out that AFS is one of the nation's oldest technology-based craft Societies, serving the technical and foundry management needs of over 30,000 individuals and corporations throughout the world. Through its 53 general and 16 student Chapters in North America, AFS provides teaching and technology advancement opportunities unparalleled by most other heavy industry associations.

The success of the Campaign for the Future "will reinforce what we in the metals field consider as essential to our ultimate survival, and that is the preparation of future generations of competent managers and cast metal specialists capable of expanding the market share of our industry," Booth added.

Charles H. Jones, executive vice president of AFS, echoed Booth's call for further subsidizing the work of CMI, calling attention to rapidly developing advances in old and new technologies which have marked the last decade. Some of the notably recurring services he mentioned include: * an educational curricula offered on distinct levels, each designed and structured to students' capabilities; * instructional departments encompassing general foundry information, and extensive research and hands-on training in the technologies of melting, molding, coremaking, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, gating and risering, engineering and investment casting; * access to a 55,000-volume library related to all areas of metalcasting; * teaching/research laboratories; staff; * CMI certification acknowledged as a standard of excellence in the metals industry everywhere; * one-third of CMI's courses (27) are offered on a regional basis for participants' convenience; * in-plant courses for particular foundry requirements.

Questions & Answers

In framing the capital fund drive, Chairman Booth and his colleagues responded to a number of questions about the mechanics of the capital solicitation program. Some of them follow.

Why is AFS seeking funds?

To strengthen the position of the North American foundry industry and support the continuing and upgraded education and operations-oriented research programs of the AFS and, specifically, the Cast Metals Institute.

Are any AFS membership dues allocated to CMI programs?

No. CMI exists on tuition fees alone, but in today's educational marketplace that is not possible, and CMI is operating at a deficit.

Does CMI have alternate income sources?

Yes, but only recently. Now, laboratory facilities are available to industry companies to do private research, using CMI as a subcontractor, but these sources do not significantly impact the present deficit.

How was the campaign goal determined?

A consulting firm conducted a poll of AFS membership in 1986 and updated it in 1987, and based on those findings, plus the needs of AFS and CMI, the existing leadership pool and the future requirements of the industry, the Campaign goal of a minimum of $5 million was determined to be realistic and achievable.

Why does this program deserve industry support?

In 1963, the U.S. had 5600 working foundries; today there are about 3000. Reasons? Environmental pressures, an appreciating U.S. dollar, which encouraged tremendous off-shore production, and backward management, in some cases, are some of the most important ones. CMI was formed by foundrymen for foundrymen to strengthen people, processes and product knowledge through broad education programs at every level of foundry operation and management. It is an unique industry answer to future survival, and deserving of full industry support.

Who will be asked to contribute?

Everyone...foundrymen, vendors, foundations, individuals, companies...anyone who has a stake in the growth of our nation's manufacturing viability and leadership.

Are gifts tax deductible?

Yes. CMI has a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit designation by the IRS, and all contributions, whether in cash, land, securities, equipment, annuities or estates, are acceptable. Tax consultants or lawyers can advise donors as to preferred giving formats.

What is the pledge period for donations?

For the optimum success of the fund drive, donors will have the opportunity to pledge over a 3-5 year period to take advantage of any favorable tax benefits which may accrue.

Tom Bex/Senior Editor