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  • ASQ Montreal – 75 Ans | Years – Celebration

    75 Years of History – Célébration | Celebration 2025.10.22  

     

    Sam Weissfellner & Jean-Pierre Amiel

    Sam Weissfelner, ASQ Senior, ASQ CSQE, CQA, Nominations Committee Chair and Historian, with
    Jean-Pierre Amiel, ASQ Senior, ASQ CQA, Past Historian

    Photos: David Tozer, Michael Bournazian, Guy Plouffe and Jean-Pierre Amiel

     

    Ray Dyer receives the ASQ 75 years Proclamation from Natella Isazadeh, Canada Region Director

    2025.10.22  Quelle belle soirée! What an evening!

     

    Attendu que la section de Montréal a été agréée en tant que section de l’ASQ le 12 août 1950 . . . 
    Attendu que depuis 75 ans, la section de Montréal de l’ASQ favorise le développement d’une communauté dynamique de professionnels voués aux principes de la qualité . . . 
    Attendu que la section a toujours offert des possibilités de leadership, de formation et de réseautage . . .
    Attendu que les bénévoles, les membres et les dirigeants de la section, passés et présents, ont fait preuve d’un engagement sans faille envers la mission et les valeurs de l’ASQ . . .
    Attendu que le 75e anniversaire marque une étape importante, offrant l’occasion de réfléchir aux réalisations de la section, d’honorer ses contributeurs et d’inspirer les futures générations de professionnels de la qualité . . .
    Par conséquent, moi, Daniela Picciotti, présidente de l’ASQ 2025, proclame et célèbre par la présente le 75e anniversaire de la section de Montréal de l’ASQ, et encourage tous les membres, partenaires et la communauté au sens large à se joindre à nous pour commémorer cet événement remarquable.

    (Texte raccourci de la proclamation de l’ASQ)

    Whereas, the Montreal Section was chartered as an ASQ Section on August 12, 1950 . . .
    Whereas, for 75 years, the ASQ Montreal Section has fostered a vibrant community of professionals dedicated to the principals of quality . . . 
    Whereas, the Section has consistently provided leadership, education and networking opportunities . . .
    Whereas, the Section’s volunteers, members, and leaders — past and present — have demonstrated unwavering commitment to ASQ mission and values . . .
    Whereas, the 75th anniversary marks a significant milestone, offering an opportunity to reflect on the Section’s achievements, honour its contributors, and inspire future generations of quality professionals . . .
    Now therefore, I, Daniela Picciotti, ASQ 2025 Chair, do hereby proclaim and celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the ASQ Montreal Section, and encourage all members, partners, and the broader community to join in commemorating this remarkable occasion.

    (Shortened text of the ASQ proclamation)

    2025.10.22 — C’est toute une belle surprise que Sam Weissfelner, Samira Kazemi et Chantale Simard nous ont préparé pour célébrer le 75ème anniversaire de la Section de Montréal de l’ASQ. Dans le vestibule de l’hôtel, un ensemble de tableaux d’affichages reproduisent divers articles, photos et documents remémorant ces belles années tels que diffusés sur notre site Internet ou infolettres.

    Montreal ASQ 75yrs Diaporama of various articles

    ASQ Montreal 75 Years celebration attendees 20251022

    2025.10.22  — Sam Weissfelner, Samira Kazemi and Chantale Simard prepared a wonderful surprise to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the ASQ Montreal Section. In the hotel lobby, a series of display boards feature various articles, photos, and documents recalling these wonderful years, as published on our website and in our newsletters.

    Dans la salle, des tables ornées à la couleur bleue ASQ et de jolis bouquets centraux. Une petite table expose plusieurs albums de photos des premières décennies de la section, surmontés par les orchidées qui seront offertes en remerciements. Quelques-un des certificats de félicitations pour divers acomplissements par les diverses équipes de direction y sont aussi affichés.

    In the room, the tables were decorated in ASQ blue and adorned with beautiful floral centerpieces. A small table displayed several photo albums from the Section’s early decades, topped with orchids that would be given as gifts of appreciation. Some of the certificates of congratulations for various accomplishments by the various management teams were also displayed.

    C’était aussi l’occasion de remercier quelques un(e)s des membres et leaders engagé(e)s qui ont permis à la section non seulement d’atteindre ses 75 ans mais de réaliser toutes ses réalisations et activités.

    Notre invitée d’honneur Natella Isazadeh, la Directrice régional de ASQ Canada est venue de Vancouver spécialement pour l’occasion et Sam Weissfelner, en déplacement a Toronto, nous à rejoint par visio conférence lors de la présentation des divers trophés.

    Montreal ASQ 75yrs Distribution of awards

    It was also an opportunity to thank some of the committed members and leaders who have enabled the section, not only to reach its 75th anniversary, but also to achieve all its accomplishments and activities.

    Our guest of honour Natella Isazadeh, Regional Director of ASQ Canada, came from Vancouver especially for the occasion, and Sam Weissfelner, who was travelling, joined us via video-conference from Toronto, during the presentation of the various trophies.

    Montreal ASQ 75yrs Distribution of awards

    Le gateau d’anniversaire des 75 ans de la section de montréal et des membres joyeux et affamés | The Montreal ASQ 75yrs Birthday Cake and some happy and hungry members.

    Montreal ASQ_75yrs Birthday Cake and hungry members 202510

    Montreal ASQ 75yrs Happy Faces all around 20251022

    Happy Faces all around | Des visages heureux
    Chantale Simard & David Tozer 🔅 Jean-Pierre Amiel & Norman Dickinson 🔅 Raymond Dyer & Veronica Marquez.

    Et, Chantale Simard, présidente de la section, a lancé un défi à toutes les personnes présentes — une chasse au trésor à travers les 75 années de connaissances, de relations et de réalisations remarquables accumulées par la section. Les participants avaient 10 indices disséminés dans la salle pour parcourir les moments clés de notre parcours collectif. Chaque bonne réponse les rapprochait du trésor de la qualité . . . et d’un souvenir unique de cette célébration.

    And, Chantale Simard, Section President, threw a challenge to all present — a treasure hunt through 75 years of the Section’s accumulated knowledge, connections, and remarkable achievements. The attendees were given 10 clues scattered throughout the room to travel through key moments of our collective journey. Each correct answer would bring them closer to the treasure of quality . . . and to a unique souvenir of this celebration.


    1977 – 2025
    Quarante-huit belles années | Forty-eight good years.

    Je prends cette opportunité pour vous remercier pour toutes ces années d’amitié et de défis d’apprentissage. Nous les avons partagés lors de diverses réunions des comités exécutif, d’évènements, de présentations, de congrès et dans mes différents textes soit dans les Infolettres, nos sites web ou myASQ. Merci pour votre cadeau de reconnaissance.

    🔅🔅

    I take this opportunity to thank all of you for those many years of friendship and challenges. We shared them either at our executive meetings, various events, congresses, presentations and through my many texts in the Newsletters, our websites and myASQ. Thank you for your recognition gift.

    JP Amiel ASQ Membership Card

    Aurevoir et à la prochaine | Goodbye and until next time
    Jean-Pierre Amiel, ASQ CQA, B.Tech.

     

  • ASQ Montreal – 75 Ans | Years – The Boxes 3 | Les boites 3

    75 Years of History – The Boxes, Take 3 | Les boites, prise 3

     

    Sam Weissfellner & Jean-Pierre Amiel

    Sam Weissfelner, ASQ Senior, ASQ CSQE, CQA, Nominations Committee Chair and Historian, with
    Jean-Pierre Amiel, ASQ Senior, ASQ CQA, Past Historian

    Out of the Boxes: Take 3 . . . Sorties des boîtes: Prise 3

    Voici un aperçu des quelques trésors que renferme notre troisième boîte: des programmes de certification en qualité à l’École polytechnique et à Loyola (Université Concordia); une calculatrice de table non portable; des photos de nombreux gentlemen en costume et nœud papillon; des visites de présidents de l’ASQC; un manuel de poche sur l’évaluation des fournisseurs et d’autres articles à découvrir lors de notre Assemblée générale le 22 octobre 2025 à l’hôtel Novotel, Montréal Aéroport.

    Here’s a preview of some of the golden nuggets found in our third box: Certificate quality programs at the École Polytechnique and Loyola College (Concordia University); a table-size non-portable calculator; plenty of bow-tied gentlemen in suits; visits by ASQC presidents; a shared ‘How-To’ vendor control manual and others items available for viewing at our General Assembly on October 22, 2025 at the Hotel Novotel, Montreal Airport.

    ASQ Montreal Year Books

    ASQ Montreal Education

    ASQ Montreal Colloques

    ASQ Montreal Tech Evolution

    ASQ Montreal X-Bar Chart

    Cette photo concernant l’événement sponsorisé par un distributeur de machines à calculer en dit long sur l’évolution des outils utilisés dans “notre” livre de connaissances. L’évaluation de la qualité d’une gamme de produits impliquait la collecte manuelle d’une grande quantité de données, qui étaient ensuite “manipulées’ dans des cartes de contrôle X-bar standard. Le calcul des carrés était assez frustrant. Bien sûr, cette machine effectuait également d’autres calculs, mais . . . voir l’exemple de l’article publié cette année-là à propos des cartes. Regardez le nombre de points et le traçage manuel. Éventuelement, un logiciel fut développé pour faire cela et aujourd’hui, c’est l’équipement de mesurage qui fait tout ce travail.

    Qu’apporterez-vous à la section?

    🔅🔅🔅

    The last bit about the sponsored event by a calculating machine distributor shows a lot more about the changes in the tools of  “our” book of knowledge. Product line quality evaluation meant that a large amount of data was manually collected and then “massaged” into Standard X-bar Control charts. And, calculating squares was quite frustrating. Of course, that machine also did other calculations, but . . . here’s an example of the paper published that year on those charts. Look at the amount of points and the manual tracing. Eventually, software was developed to do this and today, the measuring system does all that work.

    What will you bring to your section?

    À très bientôt . . .  See you soon . . .


  • ASQ Montreal – 75 Years of History — The Boxes 2 | Les boites 2

    75 Years of History — The Boxes, Take 2 | Les boites, prise 2

     

    Sam Weissfellner & Jean-Pierre Amiel

    Sam Weissfelner, ASQ Senior, ASQ CSQE, CQA, Nominations Committee Chair and Historian, with
    Jean-Pierre Amiel, ASQ Senior, ASQ CQA, Past Historian

    Out of the Boxes: Take 2 . . . Sorties des boîtes: Prise 2

    Cet album est consacré à l’histoire des activités de la section montréalaise de l’American Society for Quality Control pour l’année 1957-1958 . . . À tous ceux qui le feuilleteront, puisse-t-il témoigner des efforts déployés par ceux qui ont travaillé d’arrache-pied pour assurer le succès de la section de Montréal.

    R. Vance Ward, Président de la Section de Montréal 1957/58.

    Et par ces mots, les ancètres d’historiens de la secion ont débutés leurs collections . . . À l’approche du 75e anniversaire, l’équipe d’historiens de votre section a revisité certaines de ces boîtes d’archives. Sam a découvert que les historiens précédents avaient créé plusieurs albums photos (pour les plus jeunes lecteurs, il s’agit de livres en papier dans lesquels sont collées des photos prises avec un appareil photo). Sam a feuilleté certains de ces albums, a pris des photos (avec son téléphone) afin de partager davantage de souvenirs d’années passées et les a envoyées par courriel à Jean-Pierre afin qu’il puisse les partager avec vous (un clin d’œil rapide aux progrès technologiques réalisés depuis la création de la section).

    D’ailleurs ces albums seront présentés lors de l’événement du 75ième anniversaire ce 22 octobre 2025 à l’Hotel Novotel Montreal Aéroport. Réservez cette date!!

    Voici quelques-uns de ces moments.

    This scrapbook is dedicated as a historical record of the activities of the Montreal Section of the American Society for Quality Control for the year 1957/1958 . . . To all those who view its pages, may it bespeak the labours of those who have toiled in search of success for the Montreal Section.”

    R. Vance Ward, Montreal Section Chairman 1957/58.

    And so did our quality historian ancestors begin their collections . . .  With the upcoming 75th Anniversary rapidly approaching, your section’s historical team revisited some of these archive boxes. Sam discovered that previous historians had created a number of photo albums (for younger readers, these are paper books in which photos taken with a camera are pasted). Sam browsed through some of the albums, took photos (with his phone) to share more past memories and sent them by email to Jean-Pierre so he could share them with you (a quick wink to the technological jumps since the Section began).

    These albums will be displayed at our planned 75th Anniversary event on October 22, 2025 at the Hotel Novotel, Montreal Aeroport. Reserve that date!!

    Here are some of these moments.

    ASQ Montreal Section Scrapbooks 1957-2010

    Le cœur de notre section – ses membres et leurs dirigeants dans leur engagement de “créer, promouvoir et stimuler l’intérêt pour l’avancement et la diffusion des connaissances en matière de science du contrôle qualité et de son application aux processus industriels.” Et, à cette fin, au fil des ans, nous avons organisé de nombreux événements, présentations et documents afin de communiquer les connaissances de cette nouvelle “science”. Bon nombre ont été consignés pendant plus de trois quarts de siècle dans des albums, des essais et sur Internet.

    🔅 🔅 

    The heart of our section – its members and their leaders in their engagement to “create, promote, and stimulate interest in the advancement and diffusion of the knowledge of the science of quality control and of its application to industrial processes.” And, to this end, over the years, we held many events, presentations and documents to communicate the knowledge of this new “science”. Many of these were recorded over three-quarters of a century in scrapbooks, shorts and on the Internet.  

    Quelques faits marquant du début, notre premier Colloque en Octobre 1957, la création de la sous-section d’Ottawa cette même année, et le démarrage d’une sous-section dans les maritimes. Claude I. Taylor, le président de Trans Canada Airlines (ancêtre d’Air Canada) est élu président de la section de Montréal en 1958. Dans les années 70, c’est la création de la section francophone de l’ASQ qui occupe les esprits et qui deviendra l’inspiration du Mouvement Québecois de la qualité. Des le début et à travers les années, la formation aux sciences de qualité est à l’honneur par le biais de professeurs, de programmes à l’École polytechnique, au COSE (Centre d’organisation scientifique de l’entreprise), au CEGEP Vanier, à L’université Concordia, l’École de technologie supérieure ou par du coaching offert par des membres de la section.   C’est en 2000 que la section inaugure son premier site Internet. Une nouvelle ère débute.

    🔅 🔅 

    Some highlights from the early days include our first conference in October 1957, the creation of the Ottawa branch that same year, and the launch of a branch in the Maritimes. Claude I. Taylor, president of Trans Canada Airlines (the predecessor of Air Canada), was elected president of the Montreal chapter in 1958. In the 1970s, the creation of the ASQ’s French-speaking chapter was on everyone’s mind and would become an inspiration for the Mouvement Québecois de la Qualité. From the very beginning and over the years, training in the quality sciences was promoted through professors and programs at the École Polytechnique, the COSE (Centre d’organisation scientifique de l’entreprise), Vanier CEGEP, Concordia University, the École de technologie supérieure or by coaching provided by section members. In 2000, the Montreal Section inaugurated its first website. A new era begins.

    ASQ Montreal First Events

    Et qu’allez-vous amener à votre section lors des prochaines années?

    À très bientôt . . . 

    And what will you bring to your section over the next couple of years?

    See you soon . . .


  • ASQ Montreal – 75 Years of History – Awards and Recognition | Prix et reconnaissance

    75 Years of History — Awards and Recognition | Prix et reconnaissance

     

    Sam Weissfellner & Jean-Pierre Amiel

    Sam Weissfelner, ASQ Senior, ASQ CSQE, CQA, Nominations Committee Chair and Historian, with
    Jean-Pierre Amiel, ASQ Senior, ASQ CQA, Past Historian

    Ceux qui se démarque . . . Those who stand out

    Nous essayons toujours de ne pas oublier ceux qui travaillent au succès de la Section de Montréal – c’est pourquoi nous prenons régulièrement le temps de remercier nos leaders pour leurs contributions. Les Programmes de prix et de reconnaissance fonctionnent essentiellement à deux niveaux: à l’ASQ Milwaukee, ils sont basés sur les années de service et la réalisation d’objectifs; au niveau local de Montréal, nous offrons une reconnaissance de nos leaders et de nos membres, passés et présents. Dans un cas comme dans l’autre, il s’agit d’une occasion privilégiée de remercier certains individus pour leur vision, leur participation et la réalisation d’objectifs et pour le partage de leurs ambitions.

    We always try not to forget who works at making the Montreal Section a success – that’s why, we regularly take the time to thank our leaders for their contributions. The Awards and Recognition programs basically operate at two levels: at ASQ Milwaukee, they are based on years of service and goal realization; at the local Montreal level, we offer a recognition of our leaders and members, past and present. In either role, it is a privileged opportunity to thank certain individuals for their vision, their participation and realization of objectives and for sharing their ambitions.

    ASQ Montreal Section Awards

    L’ASQ a toujours eu des programmes pour encourager ses sections locales à s’organiser, à établir des plans d’affaires et des objectifs par le biais de défis tels que le prix Saddoris (1958 et 1959, sur 110 sections de l’ASQ), le Processus de gestion des sections (les années 80) et remplacé par le Programme d’excellence en matière de performance au début des années 2010. Tout au long de ses 75 années d’existence, la section de Montréal s’est non seulement lancée des défis, mais elle a aussi remporté diverses reconnaissances à de nombreuses occasions – trophées, certificats et épinglettes, remis en mains propres par des représentants de l’ASQ ou envoyés par la poste. 

    ASQ has always had programs to encourage its local sections to organize, set business plans and goals through such challenges as the Saddoris Award (1958 and 1959, of 110 ASQ sections), the Section Management Process (the 1980s) and replaced by the Performance Excellence Program in the early 2010. Throughout our 75 years, the Montreal Section not only challenged itself to participate, but won various achievement recognitions on numerous occasions — Trophies, Certificates and Pins, hand-delivered by ASQ representatives or by mail.  

    Des prix locaux ont également été créés et décernés en l’honneur de certains anciens leaders de la section, tels qu’Eric Stern, Denis Pronovost et Mitchell Daudier. Ces prix visaient à reconnaître et à promouvoir les valeurs et les réalisations de certains de nos membres d’équipe exceptionnels en identifiant et en attribuant une bourse à un étudiant universitaire dans un domaine lié à la qualité à Concordia, à l’École de technologie supérieure et à McGill

    Local awards have also been created and given in honour of some of our past section leaders such as Eric Stern, Denis Pronovost and Mitchell Daudier. These awards were meant to recognize and promote the values and accomplishments of some of our outstanding team members by identifying and giving a bursary to a university student in a quality-related field at Concordia, the École de technologie supérieure and McGill.  

    Aussi, le comité exécutif de la section prend aussi régulièrement le temps d’identifier certaines personnes pour leurs réalisations et leurs contributions au succès de la section et remercie également les membres de l’équipe dirigeante lors d’un dîner annuel ou de l’assemblée générale.
    Quelques exemples récents: Joseph KELADA (ASQ Fellow), Norman DICKINSON, Michael BOURNAZIAN, Jean-Pierre AMIEL, Raymond DYER, Bernard DOIRON, Sam WEISSFELNER, Veronica MARQUEZ, Chantale SIMARD, Eric STERN, Inteaz ALLI (ASQ Fellow) et Brenda FISK. 

    Also, the section executive regularly takes the time to identify certain individuals for their accomplishments and contributions to the success of the section, and also thanks the leadership team members at an annual dinner or at the General Assembly.
    Some of the more recent examples: Joseph KELADA (ASQ Fellow), Norman DICKINSON, Michael BOURNAZIAN, Jean-Pierre AMIEL, Raymond DYER, Bernard DOIRON, Sam WEISSFELNER, Veronica MARQUEZ, Chantale SIMARD, Eric STERN, Inteaz ALLI (ASQ Fellow) and Brenda FISK


  • ASQ Montreal – 75 Years of History – Events | Événements

    75 Years of History — Events | Événements

     

    Sam Weissfellner & Jean-Pierre Amiel

    Sam Weissfelner, ASQ Senior, ASQ CSQE, CQA, Nominations Committee Chair and Historian, with
    Jean-Pierre Amiel, ASQ Senior, ASQ CQA, Past Historian

    Souvenirs . . .

    Au cœur de notre mission “Promouvoir et améliorer la profession de la qualité . . .“, nous nous sommes engagés à offrir “. . . de l’information, des programmes éducatifs et des événements, et à promouvoir la sensibilisation et la valeur de la qualité dans la communauté“. Par conséquent, la deuxième raison pour laquelle vous pourriez adhérer à la section de Montréal est de maintenir et de partager vos connaissances dans le domaine de la qualité ainsi que de nouer des contacts lors des divers événements que nous organisons régulièrement.

    En janvier dernier, nous vous expliquions qu’en plus de 75 ans d’existence, la Section de Montréal a organisé ou participé à plus de 471 événements (présentations, forums, visites d’usine, ateliers, etc.) sur une multitude de sujets. Parmi ces événements, nous avons organisé 27 forums (certains diffusés par satellite, oui, c’était avant le “streaming”, Zoom et Teams) et offert plus de 27 activités de réseautage. De nombreux secteurs industriels locaux ont été présentés: Aérospatiale 44; Électronique 26; Alimentation 8; Métal 8; Santé 6; Automobile 5; Médical 4 et Pharmaceutique 4. 

    Lorsque possible, nous avons même organisé des visites d’usines, une activité favorite qui permet à nos invités de visiter, de voir et de sentir une variété d’environnements industriels. Vous comprendrez également qu’au fil des ans, nous avons rencontré, introduit et encouragé de nombreuses sessions de dialogue et d’information, ainsi que des opportunités pour nos membres de nouer des contacts, de socialiser, d’échanger des idées et d’être à l’affût d’opportunités d’emploi et de formation. Certains de nos événements préférés sont sans aucun doute les ateliers pratiques sur les outils de base et des exemples de vie, dont voici quelques exemples (regardez certains de ces noms d’entreprises):

    At the heart of our mission “To promote and enhance the quality profession . . .“, we have committed to offering “. . . information, educational programs and events, and promoting the awareness and value of quality in the community.” Consequently, the number two reason that you might have to join the Montreal Section is to maintain and share your knowledge in the quality profession, as well as to make contacts during the various events that we hold regularly. 

    Back in January, we explained how in our over 75 years of existence, the Montreal Section has hosted or participated in over 471 events (presentations, forums, plant tours, workshops, etc.) on a multitude of subjects. Of these events, we organized 27 Forums (some over satellite broadcasts, yes, that was before “streaming”, Zoom and Teams) and offered more than 27 networking-specific activities. Many of our local industry sectors were presented: Aerospace 44; Electronics 26; Food 8; Metal 8; Healthcare 6; Automobile 5; Medical 4 and Pharmaceutical 4.

    When possible, we even organized plant tours, a favourite activity allowing our guests to visit, see and feel a variety of industrial environments. You might also understand that over the years, we have met, introduced and encouraged a lot of dialogue and information sessions as well as opportunities for our members to network, socialize, exchange ideas and be on the look-out for job and education opportunities. Some of our favourite events are definitely how-to workshops on basic tools and life examples, here are some examples (look at some of those company names): 

    1957 — Quality Control Pays-Off in Woodwork — Robert Chateauneuf, Singer Manufacturing Co.
    1963 — QA Engineering in Tech Products, Electron Tube QC, Plant Tour RCA Victor Co — H. R. Streete & R. J. Wallace
    1964 — Control of Quality and Quality Control — Hasgaard, Manager QC, Canadian Marconi Co.
    1976 — Quality Cost Seminar
    1977 — Metrication and Quality | Quality Costs — M. Marette, Northern Telecom
    1982 — Quality Costs — George Lazlo, Director QA, Canadair Ltd.
    1993 — Empowering Employees, Workshop with Section Québécoise — Joseph A. Maalouf & Pascal Bouffard
    1996 — You’ve Got to be Crazy to be in Quality — Michel David, VP Quality, Pratt & Whitney | The Basic Tools of Quality – Workshop — David Tozer
    1999 — Modern Quality Tools — David Tozer
    2002 — Quality Tools; Raymond Dyer, Nortel Networks, Michel Hodak, WECO Electrical Connectors Inc. & David Tozer, D. Tozer & Associates.
    2003 — Advanced Quality and Statistical Tools; Martin Carignan, Bezeau, Carignan et associés & David Tozer, D. Tozer & Associates.
    2005 — Basic Quality Tools – Workshop — David Tozer | Learning to see – An introduction to Lean Enterprise Concepts and Tools — Stephen Jones
    2009 — Using Financial Tools to Improve Quality — Livio Di Francesco
    2010 — ASQ Montreal Section 60 Years Anniversary — Workshop: Brenda Fisk — Presentation: Jean-Pierre Amiel | Brainstorming Tool On Retention: ASQ World Café Meeting — Brenda Fisk
    2013 — Applying Six Sigma Tools in a Hospital Setting — Carmin Cristofaro
    2015 — Lean Maturity Assessment Tool — Marie-Hélène Jobin | A Quality Night of Pecha Kucha Presentations — Eric Hosking, Dr. David Tozer, Anne-Marie Pizzitelli and Jim Moran
    2019 — Supply Chain Management & challenges in Aerospace, Pharmaceutical & Automotive Sectors — Animation: Sam Weissfelner — Panelists: Pierre Bedard, Robert Fairbairn and George Azedo
    2023 — In-person Networking, good food and friends — Animation: Raymond Dyer
    2024 — 3 Manufacturing tools: GD&T, Model Based Definition and Twyn — François Nadeau

    Voici quelques un de ces événements capturés par la caméra. Here are some of those moments casually captured by the camera.

     

    Vous vous demandez quelle est la première raison pour nous rejoindre? Ce sont les 18 programmes de certification de l’ASQ. Lisez ce résumé de Jean-Pierre sur les certification de l’ASQ. Elles vous offrent la possibilité de dire à tout le monde que votre expérience et vos connaissances ont été évaluées par une organisation de qualité de premier plan (ASQ) par rapport à un ensemble de connaissances d’une catégorie du domaine de qualité spécifique (les examens de certification de l’ASQ sont uniquement dispensés en anglais).

    Wondering what the number one reason to join us would be? Well, it is ASQ’s 18 Certifications programs. Read JP’s summary on ASQ’s Certification. They offer you an opportunity to tell everyone that your experience and knowledge has been evaluated by a leading quality organization (ASQ) against a specific quality domain body of knowledge category (ASQ certification examinations are only delivered in English). 

    See you soon, à bientôt.

    Quelque chose de nouveau à ASQ . . .
    Something new at ASQ . . . 


  • ASQ Montreal – 75 Years of History – The Boxes/Les Boites

    75 Years of History — The Boxes | Les boites

     

    Sam Weissfellner & Jean-Pierre Amiel

    By Sam Weissfelner, ASQ Senior, ASQ CSQE, CQA, Nominations Committee Chair and Historian, with
    Jean-Pierre Amiel, ASQ Senior, ASQ CQA, Past Historian

    Out of the Box . . . Sortie de la boîte

    Welcome to our first article of our new column entitled “Out of the Box“.
    Bienvenue dans ce premier article de notre nouvelle rubrique intitulée “Sortie de la boîte“.

    Why that title you say?
    Well, it’s been a number of years that we have kept all types of documents dealing with our section’s evolution and activities. With the upcoming 75th Anniversary approaching rapidly, your section historical team decided to revisit some of the archives for inspiration. Sam and JP agreed to randomly select one box at a time, and write an article based on the contents in said box. Hence, the title “Out of the Box“. 

    Our first foray into this yielded a gold mine of original documentation from the founders of the Montreal Section beginning in 1950 and onwards. This article is based on that first “OUT OF THE BOX” set of files that we encountered. Here are a few “nuggets” on what these documents reminded us.

    In the 1940s, local Quality Control Societies had been established in Canada. In Montreal, the leaders of the group were Ben H. Lloyd of Canadian Industries Ltd (CIL), Bruce Leadbetter and John Pringle of the Bell Telephone Co. of Canada (now Bell), Roger Lessard of the École Polytechnique of the Université de Montréal, N.L. Morgan of Northern Electric (it became Nortel in the 1990s and went bankrupt in 2009), and others.

    In 1949, they decided to join the American Society for Quality Control (ASQC). See the first two letters from our section files, below, from N.L. Morgan of Northern Electric to B.H. Lloyd of CIL, describing their intention to meet further following an interest by the ASQC to add Canadian members to the society. Within a few months, the Montreal Section would become Section 0401 of the Northern Region, later designated as Region 4 (Canada).

    Vous vous dîtes pourquoi ce titre?
    Eh bien, cela fait un certain nombre d’années que nous conservons toutes sortes de documents relatifs à l’évolution et aux activités de notre section. Le 75e anniversaire approchant à grands pas, l’équipe d’historien de votre section a décidé de revisiter certaines de ces archives pour y puiser de l’inspiration. Sam et JP se sont mis d’accord pour choisir au hasard une boîte à la fois et écrire un article basé sur le contenu de cette boîte. D’où le titre “Sortie de la boîte“.

    Notre première incursion dans ce domaine nous a permis de découvrir une mine d’or de documents originaux provenant des fondateurs de la section de Montréal à partir de 1950. Cet article est basé sur ce premier ensemble de dossiers “SORTIE DE LA BOÎTE” que nous avons rencontré. Voici quelques “pépites” sur ce que ces documents nous ont reméroré.

    Dans les années 1940, des sociétés locales de contrôle de la qualité ont été créées au Canada. À Montréal, les leaders du groupe sont Ben H. Lloyd de Canadian Industries Ltd (CIL), Bruce Leadbetter et John Pringle de Bell Telephone Co. of Canada (aujourd’hui Bell), Roger Lessard de l’École polytechnique de l’Université de Montréal, N.L. Morgan de Northern Electric (devenue Nortel dans les années 1990 et mise en faillite en 2009), et d’autres encore.

    En 1949, ils décident d’adhérer à l’American Society for Quality Control (ASQC). Voir les deux premières lettres tirées des dossiers de notre section, ci-dessous, de N.L. Morgan de Northern Electric à B.H. Lloyd de CIL, décrivant leur intention de se rencontrer à nouveau suite à l’intérêt de l’ASQC d’ajouter des membres canadiens à la société. En quelques mois, la section de Montréal devient la section 0401 de la région du Nord, qui deviendra plus tard la région 4 (Canada).

    The Montreal Section held its first meeting on September 21st, 1950 with 25 members attending. As of April 30, 1951, total membership of the ASQC was 4,153 quality practitioners – 423 in the Northern Region (Canada). There were 30 in Montreal and 64 in Toronto.

    We also found this example of the 1955-56 ASQC Membership Card of Maxwell Heayberd of Dominion Rubber Co. (became Uniroyal in 1966). And, note that in the Statement below, sent to F.W. Davidson on July 1, 1955, the membership dues were $10, including a $3 fee for subscription to the Industrial Quality newsletter. Although it is not specified if this was in US or Canadian currencies, in 2025 dollars, this would be about either $131.81 CA or $129.60 US. An extra $1 was collected for each Division membership (Chemical or Textile). Oh, by the way, the postage for mailing that statement was 1,5 cents! 🔅

    La section de Montréal a tenue sa première réunion le 21 septembre 1950 en présence de 25 membres. Au 30 avril 1951, l’ASQC comptait 4 153 praticiens de la qualité, dont 423 dans la région du Nord (Canada). Il y en avait 30 à Montréal et 64 à Toronto.

    ASQC Membership Card Max Heyberd 1955-56

    Nous avons également trouvé cet exemple de carte de membre de l’ASQC 1955-56 de Maxwell Heayberd de Dominion Rubber Co. (devenu Uniroyal en 1966).

    Notez que dans l’État de compte ci-dessous, envoyée à F.W. Davidson le 1er juillet 1955, la cotisation était de 10$, dont 3$ pour l’abonnement au bulletin Industrial Quality. Bien qu’il ne soit pas précisé s’il s’agit de la monnaie américaine ou canadienne, en dollars de 2025, cela représenterait environ 131,81$ CA ou 129,60$ US. Un dollar supplémentaire a été perçu pour chaque adhésion à une division (chimique ou textile). Au fait, les frais d’affranchissement pour l’envoi de ce relevé s’élevaient à 1,5 cents!

    🔅 🔅

    ASQC Membership Statement F Davidson 19551128 To put all of these amounts in context, according to www.in2013dollars.com, one 1950 Canadian dollar ($1 CA) has the equivalent purchasing power in 2025 of about $12.96, a US dollar would be worth $13.18.

    According to the Statistics Canada consumer price index, today’s prices are almost 13 times as high as average prices since 1950, and basically, a 2025 dollar would only buy 7.72% of what it could buy back then when the inflation rate was 2.67%. How slightly depressing for us today. 🔅

    Pour mettre ces chiffres dans leur contexte, selon www.in2013dollars.com, un dollar canadien de 1950 (1$ CA) a un pouvoir d’achat équivalent en 2025 d’environ 12,96$, et un dollar américain vaudrait 13,18$.

    Selon l’indice des prix à la consommation de Statistique Canada, les prix d’aujourd’hui sont presque 13 fois plus élevés que les prix moyens depuis 1950, et en gros, un dollar de 2025 n’achèterait que 7,72% de ce qu’il pouvait acheter à l’époque, lorsque le taux d’inflation était de 2,67%. C’est légèrement déprimant pour nous aujourd’hui.

    🔅 🔅

    On the bright side, World War II had ended five years prior and, although many were still struggling to get back on their feet, it was the beginning of the baby boomer generation
    Un positif
    , la Seconde Guerre mondiale avait pris fin cinq ans plus tôt et même si de nombreuses personnes avaient encore du mal à se remettre sur pied, c’était le début de la “génération du baby-boom”.

    See you soon.


  • ASQ Montreal – 75 Years of History – Leadership

    75 Years of History – Leadership

     

    Sam Weissfellner & Jean-Pierre Amiel

    Sam Weissfelner, ASQ Senior, ASQ CSQE, CQA, Nominations Committee Chair and Historian, with
    Jean-Pierre Amiel, ASQ Senior, ASQ CQA, Past Historian

    12 août 1950 | August 12, 1950

    . . . to further the interests and objectives of the Society throughout its membership within such geographical areas as may from time to time be assigned to said Section by the Board of Directors of the Society.”1950 : Notre charte de l'ASQC

    As we wrote before, over the years we have realized events, visits and conferences, developed and learned various techniques and more important shared many ideas. Through it all, it was with you, our members, that we have grown.

    These hallowed words are extracted from the original Charter of the Montreal Section on August 19, 1950.

    And, so starts our first steps on a 75-years quality trek as the Montreal Section with the American Society for Quality Control, later to be renamed as ASQ (the American Society for Quality).

    We can’t lay claim for individual successes, but we certainly can be proud in that we may have motivated or assisted some to better themselves, or provide that little nudge or vote of confidence that may have allowed them to try something new at their job. And, that’s our pride in what we have done all these years. 🔅

    ” . . . de promouvoir les intérêts et les objectifs de la Société parmi ses membres dans les zones géographiques qui peuvent être assignées de temps à autre à ladite section par le conseil d’administration de la Société.”

    Comme nous l’avons déjà écrit, au fil des ans, nous avons organisé des événements, des visites et des conférences, développé et appris diverses techniques et, plus important encore, partagé de nombreuses idées. Tout au long de ces années, c’est avec vous, nos membres, que nous avons grandi.

    Ces mots sacrés sont extraits de la charte originale de la Section de Montréal du 19 août 1950.

    C’est ainsi qu’ont commencé nos premiers pas sur la route de la qualité depuis 75 ans en tant que Section de Montréal de l’American Society for Quality Control, rebaptisée plus tard ASQ (the American Society for Quality).

    Nous ne pouvons pas revendiquer des succès individuels, mais nous pouvons certainement être fiers d’avoir motivé ou aidé certains à s’améliorer, ou de leur avoir donné ce petit coup de pouce ou ce vote de confiance qui leur a permis d’essayer quelque chose de nouveau dans leur travail. Et c’est là notre fierté pour ce que nous avons fait pendant toutes ces années.

    🔅 🔅

    ASQ Mtl Exec 1957-8Of those in the 1958-59 Section Leadership Team photo, JP Amiel had the opportunity to work with Lindsay (Lin) Humphries at Canadair. Claude Taylor (Chair 1958) eventually became a President of Air Canada. Armin Schmidt (Chair 1977) provided JP with the historical documents of the creation of the section. 🔅

    Parmi les personnes figurant sur la photo de l’équipe dirigeante de la section 1958-59, JP Amiel a eu l’occasion de travailler avec Lindsay (Lin) Humphries chez Canadair. Claude Taylor (président en 1958) est devenu président d’Air Canada. Armin Schmidt (président en 1977) a fourni à JP les documents historiques relatifs à la création de la section.

     

    🔅 🔅ASQ Montreal 50 Years Anniversary

    In the year 2000, Keith Forcier (Chair 2000, sitting at left) hosted the Section’s 50th anniversary celebration. Lin Humphries (Chair 1983), Isobel Loutit (Chair 1968) and Earl Kennedy (Chair 1970) showed up. In 2003, Isobel received a Quality Month Recognition from the Manitoba Section. At the table, they were accompanied by other past chairs: JP Amiel (Chair 1998, standing at left), Denis Martin (Chair 1991), Inteaz Alli (Chair 1994 and ASQ Fellow), David Tozer (Chair 1990), Ray Dyer (Chair 1999) and Robert Fairbairn (Chair 1996). 🔅

    En 2000, Keith Forcier (président 2000, assis à gauche) a organisé la célébration du 50e anniversaire de la section. Lin Humphries (président 1983), Isobel Loutit (présidente 1968) et Earl Kennedy (président 1970) étaient présents. En 2003, Isobel a reçu une reconnaissance lors du Mois de la qualité de la part de la section du Manitoba. À la table, ils étaient accompagnés d’autres anciens présidents: JP Amiel (président 1998, debout à gauche), Denis Martin (président 1991), Inteaz Alli (président 1994 et ASQ Fellow), David Tozer (président 1990), Ray Dyer (président 1999) et Robert Fairbairn (président 1996).

    🔅 🔅

    Montreal Section members celebrate the ASQ's 60 yearsIt was in 2009 that the Montreal Section celebrated ASQ’s 60 years. At the cake-cutting ceremony you might recognize some of the leaders from left to right: a guest, David Tozer (Chair 1990), Norman Dickinson, hidden by Sam Weissfelner (Chair 1995), Isabelle Lemieux (Chair 2002), a guest, Gordon Ayotte (Chair 2008 and armed with the knife), JP Amiel’s (Chair 1998) head is just above Chantale Simard (Chair 2010), a guest and Khaled Khattab, Emilio Falquero (past Regional Director), a guest, Brenda Fisk (ASQ Canada Regional Director 2004), a guest, Inteaz Alli (Chair 1994 and ASQ Fellow) and the late Mitchell Daudier (Chair 2006). 🔅

    C’est en 2009 que la section de Montréal a célébré les 60 ans de l’ASQ. Lors de la cérémonie de découpage du gâteau, vous reconnaîtrez peut-être certains des dirigeants, de gauche à droite: un invité, David Tozer (président 1990), Norman Dickinson, caché par Sam Weissfelner (président 1995), Isabelle Lemieux (présidente 2002), un invité, Gordon Ayotte (président 2008 et armé du couteau), la tête de JP Amiel (président 1998) est juste au-dessus de Chantale Simard (présidente 2010), un invité et Khaled Khattab, Emilio Falquero (ancien directeur régionale), un invité, Brenda Fisk (directrice régionale de l’ASQ Canada 2004), une invité, Inteaz Alli (président 1994 et membre de l’ASQ) et la regretté Mitchell Daudier (président 2006).

    🔅 🔅

    ASQ Montreal Section Leadership Team 2025-03-06 As for the 2025 Team, you may know them best. Some have been around for many years either with the Montreal Section or the Section québecoise and there are some newer faces. Veronica Marquez (Chair 2024); David Tozer; Chantale Simard; Michael Bournazian; Pierre Marquis; Carolee Rigsbee; Sam Weissfelner; Samira Kazemi; Raymond Dyer  and Cesar Camargo. This Team is working on preparing our formal 75th Birthday Bash celebrations, which have now been scheduled for October 2025. Be on the look out for further details and mark your calendars! 🔅

    Quant à l’équipe 2025, vous la connaissez peut-être mieux que quiconque. Certains sont là depuis de nombreuses années, que ce soit au sein de la Section de Montréal ou de la Section québécoise, et il y a quelques nouveaux visages. Veronica Marquez (présidente 2024); David Tozer; Chantale Simard; Michael Bournazian; Pierre Marquis; Carolee Rigsbee; Sam Weissfelner; Samira Kazemi; Raymond Dyer et Cesar Camargo. Cette équipe travaille à la préparation des célébrations officielles de notre 75e anniversaire, qui sont désormais programmées pour octobre 2025. Restez à l’affût des détails et notez-les dans vos agendas!

    See you soon.


  • ASQ Montreal – 75 ans d’histoire – Une réminiscence

    75 ans d’histoire – Une réminiscence

    (English text follows)

    Sam Weissfellner & Jean-Pierre AmielSam Weissfelner, ASQ Senior, ASQ CSQE, CQA, Nominations Committee Chair and Historian with
    Jean-Pierre Amiel, ASQ Senior, ASQ CQA, past Historian

    Depuis 75 ans, nous nous efforçons de vous aider à vous développer en fonction de votre rôle ou des perspectives de votre entreprise. Vous pourriez être tenté de vous demander comment nous y sommes parvenus.

    Nous l’avons fait, et d’après nos archives de 1957 to 2024, nous avons organisé plus de 471 événements (présentations, forums, visites d’usines, ateliers, etc.) et accueilli 267 présentations sur une multitude de sujets. Nous avons organisé 44 événements sur l’aérospatiale, 27 forums (dont certains diffusés par satellite) et 27 activités spécifiques au réseautage. Celles-ci couvraient un grand nombre de nos secteurs industriels locaux: Aérospatiale 44; Électronique 26; Alimentation 8; Métal 8; Santé 6; Automobile 5; Médical 4 et Pharma 4. Nous avons vraiment apprécié ces 5 visites de distilleries (😉), une présentation très suivie sur l’assurance qualité dans la production de cannabis (😵‍💫) et une présentation intéressante sur le développement Kaizen dans les services pédiatriques. Plus sérieusement, nous avons même organisé 9 activités de réseautage et d’ateliers sur les verts avec notre section sœur, la section francophone d’ASQ Montréal. Au fil des ans, nous avons également organisé 56 visites d’usine, tenu 96 événements liés à la qualité et, à 33 occasions, des invités ont présenté des exposés sur les normes ISO et d’autres normes, ainsi que sur Kaizen, Kata et Lean. Certaines années, les événements du Mois de la qualité de l’ASQ nous ont donné l’occasion d’inviter des PDG de grandes entreprises à nous présenter leur point de vue sur la qualité.

    Ce que nous ne pouvons pas vous montrer, c’est l’influence qu’ils ont pu avoir, ou les opportunités de développement pour nos membres et nos invités qui sont devenus des consultants, des leaders dans le domaine de la qualité ou des managers, des directeurs, des présidents et des PDG de diverses industries. La prochaine fois, nous pourrons peut-être citer des noms.

    Permettez-nous de partager une partie de l’Avant-propos que J.P. Amiel a écrit pour la publication des 60 ans d’histoire (60 Year History) de la section et qui a été publié et présenté lors de notre fête d’anniversaire en 2010.

    Il est souvent utile et très révélateur de voir l’avenir avec les yeux du passé. C’est ce que l’archéologie nous a permis de faire au fil des siècles.

    ASQ Montreal - HistoriansBien que notre section n’existe que depuis plus de soixante ans, au cours de ce demi-siècle, nos membres ont vécu certains des changements technologiques les plus radicaux de l’histoire mondiale. Nous avons assisté au début d’une économie mondiale en plein essor, à la transition d’une inspection sur place par des personnes spécialisées vers des concepts où des organisations entières se voient confier la responsabilité de leur qualité.
    . . . Il faut un certain dévouement pour assumer la tâche d’historien. Il faut non seulement collecter des “choses”, mais aussi décider lesquelles méritent d’être conservées. Au cours de ces années, notre section a eu un certain nombre d’historiens (voir le tableau). Ils ont amassé un certain nombre de boîtes remplies de divers “trésors” et d’albums de photos. Mais ceux-ci ne reflètent pas vraiment l’esprit de ces pionniers de la qualité et nous espérons qu’un jour nous serons en mesure de leur rendre justice.
    Nous espérons que ce texte inspirera non seulement le succès continu de la Section de Montréal, mais qu’il fournira également des suggestions pour les activités et orientations futures.

    Extrait et traduit de “History of the Montreal Section of the American Society for Quality”, (Histoire de la Section de Montréal de l’American Society for Quality, 60 ans en qualité, par Jean-Pierre Amiel, B. Tech, ASQ CQA, ancien président et historien (1998-2010, 2020-2024).

    À bientôt.
    Sam & JP


    75 Years of History – A Reminiscence

    For over 75 years, we have strived to help your development for your role or business outlook. You may be tempted to question how that came about.

    We did, and based on our 1957 to 2024 records, we held over 471 events (presentations, forums, plant tours, workshops, etc.) and hosted 267 presentations on a multitude of subjects.  We held 44 events on Aerospace; 27 Forums (some over satellite broadcasts) and offered 27 Networking-specific activities. These covered many of our local industry sectors: Aerospace 44; Electronics 26; Food 8; Metal 8; Healthcare 6; Automobile 5; Medical 4 and Pharma 4. We rreallllly enjoyed those 5 distillery visits (😉), and a well-attended presentation on QA in cannabis production (😵‍💫) and an interesting presentation on Kaizen development in pediatric services. On a more serious note, we even held 9 networking and workshop activities on the greens with our sister section, ASQ Montréal Francophone Section. Over the years, we also organized 56 plant tours, held 96 quality-related events and on 33 occasions, we had guests present on ISO and other standards as well as Kaizen, Kata and Lean. There were also a few years when ASQ’s Quality Month events gave us an opportunity to invite CEO’s of major corporations to present us their views on quality.

    What we can’t show you is the influence that these may have had, or the development opportunities for our members and guests who became consultants, leaders in the quality field or Managers, Directors, Presidents and CEOs of various industries. Maybe next time we can do some name-dropping.

    Let us share a portion of the Foreword that J.P. Amiel wrote for the section’s 60 Year History published and presented at our Anniversary Party in 2010.

    It is often useful and very revealing to see the future through the eyes of the past. That is what archaeology has allowed us to do over the centuries.
    Although our Section has only been in existence for more than sixty years, in that half-century, our members have lived through some of the most radical technological changes in world history. We have seen the beginning of a booming world economy, the transition from on-hand inspection by specialized individuals to concepts where whole organizations are assigned responsibility for their quality.
    . . . It takes a certain dedication to take on the task of Historian. Not only must you collect “things” but you must decide which ones are worth conserving. Over these years, our Section has had a number of Historians (see the Table). They have amassed a number of boxes full of various “treasures” and photo albums. However, these do not truly convey the spirit of these pioneers of quality and it is hoped that one day we may be able to do them proper justice. We hope that this text will inspire not only a continued success of the Montreal Section, but may provide suggestions for future activities and orientations.

    Extracted from the History of the Montreal Section of the American Society for Quality, 60 Years in Quality, by Jean-Pierre Amiel, B. Tech, ASQ CQA, past Chair and Historian (1998-2010, 2020-2024).

    See you soon.
    Sam & JP


  • ASQ Montreal – 75 Years

    ASQ Montreal – 75 Years . . . Young

    ASQ Logos

    Sam Weissfelner, ASQ Senior, ASQ CSQE, CQA, Nominations Committee Chair and Jean-Pierre Amiel, ASQ Senior, ASQ CQA, past Historian

    Time sure flies – Similar conditions in the development of the “science” of quality which led to the formation of the American Society for Quality Control (ASQC) in 1946 in the US, also prevailed in Canada. Young local Quality Control Societies had also been established. More specifically in Montreal, Ben LLOYD of Canadian Industries Ltd (CIL), Bruce LEADBETTER of the Bell Telephone Co. of Canada (BELL), Roger LESSARD of the École Polytechnique, John PRINGLE of the Bell Telephone Co. of Canada (BELL), N.L. MORGAN of Northern Electric and others, the leaders of a group decided to join the ASQC in 1949.

    It was the following year, on April 12 th 1950, at a meeting held in the Windsor Station offices of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPKC) that the Montreal Society for Quality Control was created. It was affiliated with the American Society for Quality Control (ASQ, since 1997) and on 12th August, 1950 was accepted as the 43rd Section of the society. And so it was that the Montreal Section of ASQC was born.

    This year marks our 75th year and we are planning to celebrate. Stay tuned for further news on the events.

    See you soon.


  • ASQ Montreal — Natella Congrats (2024.09.20)

    ASQ Montreal — Natella Congrats | Bravo Natella (2024.09.20)

    AnnouncementHello Canada and Greenland Region Member Leaders,
    ASQ and the Geographic Communities Council (GCC) are excited to announce that Natella Isazada will be continuing her role as Region Director (RD) for the 2025-2026 term. We would like to thank her for her continued dedication to the ASQ Geographic Communities and the Canada and Greenland Region.
    As Region Director, Natella Isazada guides and supports the geographic communities within the Region, is the bridge between the section leaders and the GCC, and supports the region’s growth in alignment with the Society’s mission and values.
    We look forward to another term of her leadership and are so grateful for her service! 
    Sincerely,
    Nancy Nouaimeh, GCC Nominating Chair
    Therese Steiner, GCC Chair

    🎇 👏 🎆

    Natella,

    Congratulations! 
    On behalf of ASQ Montreal Section, welcome back to a second mandate.
    Raymond E. Dyer,
    ASQ Senior Member, CMQ/OE, & CQA and ASQ Canada Deputy Regional Director for ASQ Montreal Section


  • ASQ PEP 2023 — Montreal Gold | l’Or pour Montréal

    ASQ PEP 2023 Performance Awards— Montreal Gold | l’Or pour Montréal

    2023 PEP Awardees Flyer Header   ASQ 2023 PEP Gold Award

    ASQ-HQ offered its congratulations to the 2023 Awardees
    for Member Unit Performance Excellence!

    ASQ-HQ : 2024-05-10 — On behalf of the Performance Excellence Program (PEP) Committee, Katie Chitwood, Segment Manager, thanked the ASQ Montreal Section Leadership Team for all the hard work over the past year to support its members and ASQ overall. She was pleased to announce that the Montreal Section has received the Gold award recognition for 2023.

    It was a total of 16 Technical Communities (Divisions) and 34 Geographic Communities (Sections) which were recognized for their commitments and excellence. For 2023, four out of the 13 Canadian Sections won recognition. We are especially proud to report that amongst the five GOLD winners, both the Montreal and Ottawa Valley Sections were recognized. Of the 16 Sections in the SILVER recognition, both London and Vancouver won. The Toronto Section won the 2023 Best Practices Awards.

    The ASQ Performance Excellence Program was created by Milwaukee-based ASQ to recognize Member Units for excellent performance that reinforces ASQ’s position as the thought leader and expands ASQ offerings to members and customers:
    • Contributions to ASQ thought leadership, as measured by myASQ content postings;
    • Member Engagement and Experience, as measured by myASQ activity;
    • Fiduciary responsibility, as measured by adherence to budget;
    • Achievement of business plan objectives, as measured by self-reported progress on business goals and targets.

    These measures were evaluated based on the Member Unit’s own baseline data and self-reported business plan progress. Award levels were conferred using a common point system.

    Congratulations!


    L’ASQ – HQ a adressé ses félicitations aux lauréats de 2023 pour
    l’excellence des performances des unités membres
    !

    ASQ-HQ : 2024-05-10 — Au nom du comité du Programme d’excellence en performance (PEP), Katie Chitwood, directrice de segment, a remercié l’équipe de direction de la Section Montréal de l’ASQ pour tout le travail accompli au cours de la dernière année afin de soutenir ses membres et l’ASQ dans son ensemble. Elle a eu le plaisir d’annoncer que la section de Montréal a reçu la reconnaissance du prix Gold pour 2023.

    Au total, 16 communautés techniques (divisions) et 34 communautés géographiques (sections) ont été récompensées pour leur engagement et leur excellence. Pour 2023, quatre des 13 sections canadiennes ont été récompensées. Nous sommes particulièrement fiers de signaler que parmi les cinq lauréats de la catégorie OR, les sections de Montréal et de la Vallée de l’Outaouais (Ottawa) ont été reconnues. Parmi les 16 sections récompensées par une médaille d’ARGENT, ce sont les sections de London et de Vancouver qui ont été récompensées. La section de Toronto, elle, a remporté le Prix des meilleures pratiques 2023.

    Le programme d’Excellence en matière de performance de l’ASQ (PEP – Performance Excellence Award) a été créé par l’ASQ, dont le siège est à Milwaukee, afin de récompenser les unités membres pour leurs excellentes performances qui renforcent la position de l’ASQ en tant que leader d’opinion et élargissent l’offre de l’ASQ aux membres et aux clients:
    • Contributions au leadership éclairé de l’ASQ, mesurées par la publication de contenu dans myASQ ;
    • Engagement et expérience des membres, mesurés par l’activité de myASQ ;
    • Responsabilité fiduciaire, mesurée par le respect du budget ;
    • La réalisation des objectifs du plan d’entreprise, mesurée par les progrès déclarés en matière d’objectifs et de cibles d’entreprise.

    Ces mesures ont été évaluées sur la base des données de référence de l’unité membre et des progrès qu’elle a déclarés dans le cadre de son plan d’entreprise. Les niveaux de récompense ont été attribués à l’aide d’un système de points commun.

    Félicitations!

     


  • ASQ Montreal — 2024 Business Plan Q1 Report (2024.04.30)

    ASQ Montreal — Business Plan 2024-25 — Q1 Report

    bubble-en

    ASQ Montreal Logo

    By J.P.  Amiel, ASQ Senior, CQA ret., Web Committee Chair

    Back in September 2023, I presented what your Montreal Section leadership team was looking ahead for the 2024 line-up of action plans based on ASQ’s continuing development of its own Strategic Plan. Basically, our Business Plan lists what steps the section will be taking to achieve specific goals. It is broken down into actionable steps that can be easily followed and tracked so as to clarify what resources will be required to reach it within a specific timeline. Here is the status of our goals and what we have accomplished so far in the first quarter of 2024. As for the 2024 Business Plan Objectives, we are proud to report that for the 27 objectives that we defined, so far 24 are 90% completed, 22 at 80% and 19 at 70%. What a Q1 report, indeed!

    Montreal Section objective aligned with ASQ Strategic Goal Target Q1
    1. DELIVER MEMBER VALUE: Design programs and initiatives that are diversified and add value to membership, meet/exceed their identified needs and expectations and support the Mission of ASQ. Think out of the Box to WOW members.
    1.1 Deliver events and opportunities that address evolving needs of current and next generation quality professionals to ensure each has an optimized member experience. 8 5
    1.2 Help quality professionals understand how they can guide their organizations by leveraging standards to achieve operational excellence by publishing multimedia on the use of standards. 3
    2. ENHANCE THE ASQ BRAND AND PUBLIC IMAGE: Highlight Quality experts and provide Quality knowledge growth opportunities in your community and others.
    2.1 Create opportunities to showcase knowledge of Quality subject matter experts by publishing multimedia on ASQ Montreal Section subject matter experts. 3
    2.2 Generate opportunities for training, learning, and education in Quality:
    • Offer and publicize the offering of ASQ certification preparation courses; 9 4
    • Promote ASQ in local industry conferences by attending local industry conferences with the intent to promote ASQ; 1
    • Conduct Student Outreach events by doing networking session with educational institution(s)/students; 1 1
    • Recognize section leaders and/or members: Present awards to section leaders and/or members having demonstrated section leadership and involvement. 2
    3. DELIVER OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE: Leverage the expertise of Quality Professionals to ensure best practices in Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEI&B) culture, member experiences, efficient operations, access to quality content and education, governance, and financial responsibility are implemented to support ASQ and Geographic Communities.
    3.1  Advance a culture of DEI&B to make the Society a place everyone feels welcome:
    • Engage francophone members and customers through sponsored French professional events; 2 2
    • Have Section Leadership Team (SLT) attend a course on DEI&B; 1
    • Develop a DEI&B plan. 1
    3.2 Deliver a greater member experience and make it easier for ASQ members to participate and make their voices heard:
    • Issue regular newsletters throughout the active part of the year; 9 4
    • Post content on myASQ website targeting member feedback. 4
    3.3 Drive efficiency and manage resources responsibly by meeting the approved budget bottom line and taking into account adjustments made throughout the year. 1
    3.4 Contribute content to the myASQ community site to reach members across channels by posting content on the Montreal Section myASQ website. 4 4
    3.5 Create meaningful learning and networking opportunities.
    • Conduct in-person networking session with members; 2
    • Conduct networking session with educational institution(s)/students. 1 1
    3.6 Deliver Geographic Community minimum requirements:
    • Acknowledge the Member Unit Operating Agreement (MUOA); 1 1
    • All Member Leaders complete General Data Privacy Regulation (GDPR) training; 100%
    • Deliver member value by conducting member events; 4 4
    • Conduct Section Leadership Committee (SLC) meetings; 4 4
    • Participate in Geographic Community Council’s (GCC) meetings or trainings; 4 3
    • Submit officers list using Committee Manager and after having conducted the elections; 1 1
    • Prepare and submit yearly business plan and budget to RD for approval; 1 1
    • Member value by posting content on myASQ; 4 4
    • Submit ASQ Community Annual Report in Q1 by communicated deadline; 1 1
    • Submit year end financial report, if applicable (not required for sections on Billhighway); 1 1
    • Sustain the section’s leadership team by recruiting section members to join the Section Leadership Team (SLT). 1

    We look forward to seeing you at our events and should you decide to help us in our endeavours, we will make room around the Section Leadership meeting table. We’d love to hear from you here.

     


  • Changes to Recertification Process

    Dr David TozerBy Dr. David Tozer, Ph.D., ASQ CQE and SSBB, Education & Audit Chair.

    By the end of this year, ASQ will change the rules for collecting Recertification Units for certification maintenance.

    The main changes affecting certification are:

    • Section events will count for 0.1 Recertification Units per hour of the event; currently, they count for 0.5 RUs per event.
    • Whole day events will count for 1.0 Recertification Unit.
    • There is a reclassification of some of the categories to different sections of categories.
      • Obsolete categories are deleted (proctoring & multimedia).
      • The Professional Development section (events, courses, training, education . . . ) has no upper limit on the number of Recertification Units that can be claimed.
    • A Giving back Section is added for volunteering and mentoring.


  • Student Outreach | Sensibilisation étudiante

    Christine Bergeron 2023Par Christine Bergeron, M.Ba., Admin.A, CMC, CQPA, CSL, Responsable sensibilisation des étudiants (English text follows)

    Nous reprendrons les activités à l’automne. Si vous avez des idées ou voulez partager avec les étudiants, n’hésitez pas à communiquer avec nous!

    ACADEMIA:

    • Contactez-nous si vous souhaitez organiser un événement avec vos étudiants et discutons de la manière dont nous pouvons aborder le sujet de la qualité dans le monde universitaire.
    • Si vous faites partie d’un établissement d’enseignement et que vous souhaitez avoir plus de visibilité sur les sujets liés à la qualité, contactez Christine Bergeron sur LinkedIn. Nous disposons d’un réseau de conférenciers potentiels qui pourraient vous intéresser.

    We will resume activities in the fall. If you have ideas or want to share with students, please reach out to us!

    ACADEMIA:

    • Contact us if you are organizing a student event and wish to discuss how to present quality-related topics in the university.
    • If you are part of an educational institution and would like to have more visibility on quality-related topics, please contact Christine Bergeron on LinkedIn. We have a network of potential speakers that may be of interest to you.


  • Student Outreach | Sensibilisation étudiantes — Nomination

    🔅 Nomination 🔅

    Veronica Marquez

    Veronica Marquez, M.Sc., CSSBB

    I am thrilled to announce that Christine Bergeron, MBA, Adm.A, CMC, CQPA, CSL has accepted the role of Student Outreach Committee Chair.

    Her boundless energy, profound knowledge of academia, and unwavering drive make her the perfect fit for this pivotal role. Christine’s dedication and expertise will be instrumental in fostering connections within the universities and student communities, paving the way for our growth in this vital market sector.

    With her onboard, I am confident that we will reach new heights and expand our reach in the academic arena.

    Merci Christine! J’ai très hâte de continuer cette collaboration.

    Her first event will be on March 19th at UQAM, where she is planning a panel on “ERP: myths and realities“.

    She is replacing Farnoosh Naderkhani who has done a great job all these past years.

    Thank you,
    Veronica Marquez

    Christine BergeronChristine Bergeron, M.Ba., Admin.A, CMC, CQPA, CSL


  • Student Outreach | Sensibilisation étudiante

    Christine Bergeron 2023Par Christine Bergeron, M.Ba., Admin.A, CMC, CQPA, CSL, Responsable sensibilisation des étudiants (English text follows)

    Le comité de sensibilisation des étudiants a préparé deux événements pour le mois de mars 2024.

    1) Tout d’abord, à l’École des sciences de la gestion (ÉSG) de l’UQAM, nous rencontrons le groupe de gestion des opérations pour discuter des ERP le 19 mars.

    2) Ensuite, le 21 mars avec Pierre Marquis, B Ing., MBA, nous rencontrerons le département de génie mécanique et aérospatial de l’École Polytechnique pour une conversation sur l’intersection de l’ingénierie et de la qualité (Information). Inscriptions auprès des universités.

    ACADEMIA:

    • Contactez-nous si vous souhaitez organiser un événement avec vos étudiants et discutons de la manière dont nous pouvons aborder le sujet de la qualité dans le monde universitaire.
    • Si vous faites partie d’un établissement d’enseignement et que vous souhaitez avoir plus de visibilité sur les sujets liés à la qualité, contactez Raymond Dyer sur LinkedIn. Nous disposons d’un réseau de conférenciers potentiels qui pourraient vous intéresser.

    The student outreach committee has been preparing two events for March 2024.

    1) First, at  the École des Sciences de la Gestion (ÉSG) of UQAM, we are meeting with the Operations Management group to discuss ERPs on March 19.

    2) Then, on March 21st, with Pierre Marquis, B Ing., MBA, we meet with the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering of École Polytechnique for a conversation about the intersection of engineering and quality (Information). Contact the universities for registration.

    ACADEMIA:

    • Contact us if you are organizing a student event and wish to discuss how to present quality-related topics in the university.
    • If you are part of an educational institution and would like to have more visibility on quality-related topics, please contact Raymond Dyer on LinkedIn. We have a network of potential speakers that may be of interest to you.


  • Student Outreach | Sensibilisation étudiantes — Gestion des opérations

    La qualité et la gestion des opérations

    Le 29 novembre dernier, quatre membres de la Section de Montréal ont participé à un panel d’informations sur la qualité à l’UQAM. Les conférenciers ont présentés la notion de qualité, les horizons en qualité et leurs parcours dans chacun des domaines dans lesquels ils exercent. Ce panel était organisé par le Comité des Etudiants du certificat en Gestion des opérations (CEGOps) de l’université dans le cadre de conférences sur divers sujets sur la gestion d’opérations. Rappelons que cet événement fait partie des efforts de l’équipe de direction de la section pour notre programme de sensibilisation étudiante. Son objectif — promouvoir et sensibiliser les étudiants aux domaines de la qualité et les services offerts par l’ASQ et la section.
    Merci à Veronica Marquez, cssbb (Présidente, ASQ Montréal), Christine Bergeron, MBA, Adm.A, CMC, CQPA, CSL (Comité de sensibilisation étudiante, ASQ Montréal) et à Shawn Bruno (Pratt & Whitney), Amine Djeffal, B.Sc., RAC (compagnie pharmaceutique), aussi membres d’ASQ Montréal, d’avoir partagé leurs connaissances sur le sujet, et les étudiants du CEGOps de l’UQAM.
    Comité des Etudiants du Certificat en Gestion des Opérations (CEGOps)


    CEGOps-ASQ Panel Participants 2023.11.29On November 29, four members of the Montreal Section of ASQ took part in an information panel on quality at UQAM. The speakers presented the concept of quality, quality horizons and their backgrounds in each of the fields in which they work. The panel was organized by the university’s Comité des Etudiants du Certificat en Gestion des Opérations (CEGOps) as part of a series of conferences on a variety of operations management topics. This event is part of the chapter management team’s efforts to promote our student outreach program. Its objective — to promote and sensitize students to the fields of quality and the services offered by ASQ and the Section.

    Thanks to Veronica Marquez, cssbb (President, ASQ Montreal), Christine Bergeron, MBA, Adm.A, CMC, CQPA, CSL (Student Awareness Committee, ASQ Montreal) and to Shawn Bruno (Pratt & Whitney), Amine Djeffal, B.Sc., RAC (pharmaceutical company), two members of ASQ Montreal, for sharing their knowledge on the subject, and the students of UQAM’s CEGOps.

    Photos UQAM

    #GOP #CegOps #ASQ #Qualité


  • M. Pareto Head — Goodbye | Au-revoir

    That’s All Folks!

    ASQ – QP comic strip mainstay Mr. Pareto Head hangs up his hat ( Texte en français )

    Mr Pareto Head qp0124

    In ASQ’s January issue of Quality Progress (QP), Mike Crossen, the comic’s creator, announced the final Mr. Pareto Head comic to appear in QP along with his cast of co-workers: Sigma Freud, Randy M. Sample, Norma Distribution, Charlie Chance and Mr. Bottomline. Crossen, said he knew that eventually the strip would come to an end and found himself thinking about the strip more recently. After nearly 24 years, “it just seemed that heading into this new year was a good time to let it go and focus on my other interests.

    Mr. Pareto Head debuted in March 2000 and in introducing the cartoon, Miles Maguire, then editor of QP, explained that the strip was “in response to a letter to the editor decrying the lack of humour in our pages.”

    Mike Crossen is lean enterprise manager at Rockwell Automation in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electronics technology from Cleveland State University and is a senior member of ASQ and an ASQ-certified manager of quality/organizational excellence, quality auditor and quality engineer.

    ASQ members and QP readers will still be able to access an archive of Mr. Pareto Head comic strips dating back to 2000 and QP will also be running Mr. Pareto Head classics in the coming months. You can read more about the evolution of Mr. Pareto Head in Mike Crossen’s My Quality Story column Sketchy Situation of March 2021 (member access required).


    Maman, c’est fini !

    M. Pareto Head, le personnage des bandes dessinées du QP d’ASQ, accroche son chapeau

    Dans le numéro de janvier de Quality Progress (QP) de l’ASQ, Mike Crossen, le créateur de la bande dessinée, a annoncé la publication de la dernière bande dessinée de M. Pareto Head dans QP, avec ses collègues : Sigma Freud, Randy M. Sample, Norma Distribution, Charlie Chance et M. Bottomline. Crossen a déclaré qu’il savait que la bande dessinée finirait par prendre fin et qu’il y pensait encore récemment après avoir passé près de 24 ans : “Il m’a semblé qu’à l’aube de cette nouvelle année, c’était le bon moment pour laisser tomber et me concentrer sur mes autres centres d’intérêt.

    Pareto Head Retires 20240101

    M. Pareto Head a fait ses débuts en mars 2000 et, en présentant la bande dessinée, Miles Maguire, alors rédacteur en chef de QP, a expliqué que la bande était “une réponse à une lettre adressée au rédacteur en chef qui déplorait le manque d’humour dans nos pages.

    Mike Crossen est responsable entreprise allégée chez Rockwell Automation à Mayfield Heights, dans l’Ohio. Il est titulaire d’une licence en technologie électronique de l’université d’État de Cleveland et est membre senior de l’ASQ. Il est également certifié par l’ASQ en tant que responsable de la qualité et de l’excellence organisationnelle, auditeur de la qualité et ingénieur de la qualité.

    Les membres de l’ASQ et les lecteurs de QP pourront toujours accéder à des archives de bandes dessinées de M. Pareto Head datant de 2000 et QP publiera également des classiques de M. Pareto Head dans les mois à venir. Pour en savoir plus sur l’évolution de M. Pareto Head, lisez la rubrique My Quality Story de Mike Crossen Sketchy Situation, de mars 2021 (accès réservé aux membres).


  • LinkedIn: Student Outreach Page

    LinkedIn Logo-20231223

    We are closing our
    ASQ Montreal Student Outreach page!

    In a brief statement on the ASQ Montreal Student Outreach LinkedIn site, Veronica Marquez,
    Montreal 2024 Section Chair and site owner, stated that
    In order to improve our communications with our members and with professionals interested in quality,
    we have decided to concentrate our efforts on the ASQ Montreal Quality Network page.

    This page had been on line since December 2018. We hope to see you on our other page, then.

    Join us here before 15 January 2024!

    LinkedIn Student Outreach Closing-20231223

    Nous fermons notre page
    ASQ Montreal Student Outreach (contact étudiant) !

    Dans un bref message sur la page du site LinkedIn, Veronica Marquez, présidente 2024 de la Section Montreal
    et propriétaire du site, a annoncée “qu’afin d’améliorer nos communications avec nos membres et avec les professionnels qui s’intéressent à la qualité, nous avons pris la décision de concentrer nos efforts sur la page du
    Réseau Qualité ASQ Montréal Quality Network
    .”
    Rappelons que cette page était en ligne depuis décembre 2018. Nous espérons vous retrouver sur notre autre page alors.

    Rejoignez-nous ici avant le 15 janvier 2024!


     

  • Excellence 5.0 – Different facets of quality

    Aristeío — Les rendez-vous de l’excellence 5.0
    Podcast Event in French organized by Veronica Marquez of Aristeío

    Excellence 5.0 – Les différentes facettes de la qualité
    (Excellence 5.0 – Different facets of quality)

    Rendez-vous de l'excellence 5.0 V Marquez

    ASQ Montréal is collaborating with Aristeío on the French podcast « Les rendez-vous de l’excellence 5.0 » (Appointments with Excellence 5.0), where you can join Veronica Marquez and Raymond E. Dyer as they talk about the role of quality in operational excellence this November 8th at 12h on LinkedIn Live.

    Register here!


  • Call for Officer Nominations 2024

    ASQ Montreal — Call for Officer Nominations 2024

    Sam Weissfellner  From: Sam Weissfelner, ASQ Senior, ASQ CSQE, CQA, Nominations Committee Chair

    The following slate of candidates was submitted by the nominating committee for the 2024 Section Leadership Team (SLT): 

    • Chair: Veronica Marquez
    • Vice-chair: Raymond Dyer
    • Secretary: Carolee Rigsbee
    • Treasurer: Chantale Simard

    The election process involves that the Nominating Committee submits a slate of officers to be approved at the General Assembly. To hold a Section Officer position, you must be a Professional, Senior or Fellow ASQ Member in good standing affiliated with our Section.

    To submit alternate nominations for Section officer positions, please complete and submit this Nomination Form before September 30, 2023. Alternate nominations for Section Officer positions can be made by petition of 10 members in good standing of the Section.

    The slate of officers will be repeated in the October newsletter and approved at our next planned Annual General Assembly to be held on October 25th, 2023.

    Thank-you to all.


  • ASQ Montreal — 2024 Business Plan (2023-09-22)

    FR

    ASQ Montreal — Business Plan 2024

    ASQ Montreal Logo

    By J.P.  Amiel, ASQ Senior, CQA ret., Secretary

    As fall slowly settles in, your Montreal Section leadership team is looking ahead at next year’s line-up of action plans based on ASQ’s continuing development of its own Strategic Plan. Basically, our Business Plan lists what steps the section will be taking to achieve a specific goal. It is broken down into actionable steps that can be easily followed and tracked so as to clarify what resources will be required to reach it within a specific timeline. You will find below a preview of what we will be working on in 2024.

    As for the 2023 Business Plan Objectives, we are proud to report that for the 16 objectives that we defined, so far 12 are 100% completed, 2 are 90% completed, one is at 80% and the last one at 78%. What a Q3 report, indeed!

    Here are the 2024 goals for your Montreal Section Section Leadership Team (SLT).

    1. DELIVER MEMBER VALUE: Design programs and initiatives that are diversified and add value to membership, meet/exceed their identified needs and expectations and support the Mission of ASQ. Think out of the Box to WOW members.
    • Deliver events and opportunities that address evolving needs of current and next generation quality professionals to ensure each has an optimized member experience.
    • Help quality professionals understand how they can guide their organizations by leveraging standards to achieve operational excellence by publishing multimedia on the use of standards.
    2. ENHANCE THE ASQ BRAND AND PUBLIC IMAGE: Highlight Quality experts and provide Quality knowledge growth opportunities in your community and others.
    • Create opportunities to showcase knowledge of Quality subject matter experts by publishing multimedia on ASQ Montreal Section subject matter experts.
    • Generate opportunities for training, learning, and education in Quality:
      • Offer and publicize the offering of ASQ certification preparation courses;
      • Promote ASQ in local industry conferences by attending local industry conferences with the intent to promote ASQ;
      • Conduct Student Outreach events by doing networking session with educational institution(s)/students;
      • Recognize section leaders and/or members: Present awards to section leaders and/or members having demonstrated section leadership and involvement.
    3. DELIVER OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE: Leverage the expertise of Quality Professionals to ensure best practices in Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEI&B) culture, member experiences, efficient operations, access to quality content and education, governance, and financial responsibility are implemented to support ASQ and Geographic Communities.
    • Advance a culture of DEI&B to make the Society a place everyone feels welcome:
      • Engage francophone members and customers through sponsored French professional events;
      • Have Section Leadership Team (SLT) attend a course on DEI&B;
      • Develop a DEI&B plan.
    • Deliver a greater member experience and make it easier for ASQ members to participate and make their voices heard:
      • Issue regular newsletters throughout the active part of the year;
      • Post content on myASQ website targeting member feedback.
    • Drive efficiency and manage resources responsibly by meeting the approved budget bottom line and taking into account adjustments made throughout the year.
    • Contribute content to the myASQ community site to reach members across channels by posting content on the Montreal Section myASQ website.
    • Create meaningful learning and networking opportunities.
      • Conduct in-person networking session with members;
      • Conduct networking session with educational institution(s)/students.
    • Deliver Geographic Community minimum requirements:
      • Acknowledge the Member Unit Operating Agreement (MUOA);
      • All Member Leaders complete General Data Privacy Regulation (GDPR) training;
      • Deliver member value by conducting member events;
      • Conduct Section Leadership Committee (SLC) meetings;
      • Participate in Geographic Community Council’s (GCC) meetings or trainings;
      • Submit officers list using Committee Manager and after having conducted the elections;
      • Prepare and submit yearly business plan and budget to RD for approval;
      • Member value by posting content on myASQ;
      • Submit ASQ Community Annual Report in Q1 by communicated deadline;
      • Submit year end financial report, if applicable (not required for sections on Billhighway);
      • Sustain the section’s leadership team by recruiting section members to join the Section Leadership Team (SLT).

    We look forward to seeing you at our events and should you decide to help us in our endeavours, we will make room around the Section Leadership meeting table. We’d love to hear from you here.

     


  • Call for Officer Nominations 2023

    ASQ Montreal — Call for Officer Nominations 2023

    Sam WeissfellnerFrom : Sam Weissfelner, ASQ Senior, ASQ CSQE, CQA, Nominations Committee Chair

    We are looking for candidates for three elected positions on the 2024 Section Leadership Team (SLT): Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Here is a brief description of each position:

              • Chair: Provides leadership and oversight to the member unit, prepares meeting agendas, and is the presiding officer.
              • Secretary: Documents member unit business and maintains the records. This position serves as the official correspondent of the member unit.
              • Treasurer: Oversees funds, maintains accurate financial records, and reports on financial condition as directed by the Society bylaws and policies and procedures.

    The election process involves that the Nominating Committee submits a slate of officers to be approved at the General Assembly. To hold a Section Officer position, you must be a Professional, Senior or Fellow ASQ Member in good standing affiliated with our Section. To submit alternate nominations for Section officer positions, please complete and submit this Nomination Form before September 30, 2023

    The proposed Leadership Team slate will be published in the October edition of the Newsletter and the new SLT will be approved at our planned Annual General Assembly to be held on October 26th, 2023. Here is a complete listing of current ASQ Montreal Section positions.

    For more information on these positions, should you be interested in participating on the upcoming Section Leadership Team or have any questions on the roles themselves, please contact me at the Nominations Committee.

    Thank-you to all and have a great vacation.

     


  • ASQ PEP 2022 Performance Awards

    ASQ PEP 2022 Performance Awards

    ASQ 2022 Performance Excellence Program   ASQ 2022 PEP Gold Award

    ASQ-HQ offered its congratulations to the 2022 Awardees for Member Unit Performance Excellence!

    It was a total of 17 Technical Communities (Divisions) and 28 Geographic Communities (Sections) which were recognized for their commitments and excellence. For 2022, five out of the 13 Canadian Sections won recognition. We are especially proud to report that amongst the seven GOLD winners, both the Montreal and Toronto Sections were recognized. Calgary won Silver recognition, and both Edmonton and Hamilton won Bronze recognition.

    The ASQ Performance Excellence Program was created by Milwaukee-based ASQ to recognize Member Units for excellent performance that reinforces ASQ’s position as the thought leader and expands ASQ offerings to members and customers:
    • Contributions to ASQ thought leadership, as measured by myASQ content postings;
    • Member Engagement and Experience, as measured by myASQ activity and member increases;
    • Fiduciary responsibility, as measured by adherence to budget;
    • Achievement of business plan objectives, as measured by self-reported progress on business goals and targets.
    These measures were evaluated based on the Member Unit’s own baseline data and self-reported business plan progress. Award levels were conferred using a common point system.

    Congratulations!

     


  • Radical Transformation Kaikaku – A personal Story

    Radical Transformation Kaikaku – A personal Story

    By Jean-Pierre Amiel,  ASQ Senior, CQA ret., Web Committee Chair

    On the 30th of November 2022 we had the privilege to meet and hear Albanesa Ymaya, CLSSBB, TPS, Kaikaku Practitioner describe her approach on transformation in Kaikaku Before Kaizen. What I didn’t know then, was that Albanesa had also had her own personal radical transformation. In 2019, she survived a terrible car accident. Today, on LinkedIn, she reports in her own philosophical way how that day caused her to reflect that on life — not personal or professional — but both. This reflection set her on a dream to visit Japan, the place where the Toyota Production System began…. Here’s part of that post, translated from Spanish:

    Albanesa Ymaya Accident Picture-2019

    😱 4 years ago in that vehicle! Where my life could have ended in a minute and thus many of my dreams. But if this is a professional network (LinkedIn) why am I sharing something so intimate and personal? Simple. Over the years I have discovered that there is no real separation between the professional and the personal, because all we have is a life. A life that we occupy at different times.
    Our professional life is completely tied to who we are as a person. Well, there is only one life!
    After that fateful accident, I promised myself that I would live every moment as if it were the last day of my life and fight with all my might to achieve every dream I had… Four years ago, I made a firm decision not to keep waiting and today, thanks to God and the work of my team and family, I will be able to realize another big dream…. I will be in the place where one of the most admired business models in the world (the Toyota Production System) began …. I will finally be in Japan!
    Today I invite you to fight with all your heart for each of your dreams ….. I invite you to take one action each day that will bring you closer to achieving them….. Never give up!


  • ASQ Montreal —Women in Quality Initiative

    ASQ Montreal — Women in Quality Initiative

    By Women in Quality InitiativeVeronica marquez, M.Sc., CSSBB, ASQ Member, Social media Chair.

    Today, March 22, 2023, the Montreal Section introduces our Women in Quality Initiative. We want to showcase women, their accomplishments, their successes, and inspire the next generation of Women in Quality.
    Will you join us?

    Click here for a silent video or access the survey.

     

     


  • Business Plan 2023 | Plan d’affaires 2023

    ASQ Montreal — Business Plan 2023 | Plan d’affaires 2023

    Jean-Pierre Amiel, ASQ Senior, CQA ret., Secrétaire

    Business Plan 2023 Plan d’affaires 2023

    In 2023, ASQ-HQ continues its Business Plan based on four major strategic goals. In order to support those strategic goals, the ASQ Regions, Divisions and Sections developed an overall strategic plan aligned with those goals and based on four major priorities: Drive thought leadership; Provide an advanced and comprehensive education experience; Enhance the member experience, and Institute best practices.

    For your Montreal Section Section Leadership Team (SLT), this then translated into the development of local action plans and objectives. They are aligned with ASQ-HQ’s Strategic Goals and briefly described HERE along with the results as of 2023-03-03.

    En 2023, l’ASQ-HQ poursuit son Plan d’affaires basé sur quatre objectifs stratégiques majeurs. Afin de soutenir ces objectifs stratégiques, les régions, divisions et sections de l’ASQ ont élaboré un plan stratégique global aligné sur ces objectifs et basé sur quatre priorités majeures : Stimuler le leadership éclairé ; Fournir une expérience d’éducation avancée et complète ; Améliorer l’expérience des membres, et Instituer les meilleures pratiques.

    Pour votre équipe de direction de la section de Montréal (EDS), cela s’est ensuite traduit par l’élaboration de plans d’action et d’objectifs locaux. Ils sont alignés sur les objectifs stratégiques de l’ASQ-HQ et brièvement décrits ICI ainsi que les résultats en date du 2023-03-03.


  • Lean: A catalyst for sustainable businesses — Guest appearance in Indianapolis

    Lean: A catalyst for sustainable businesses — Guest appearance in Indianapolis

    This Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2023, while we were enjoying little chocolates with our significant others, our Social media Chair and resident knows-a-lot-about-sustainability, Veronica Marquez, M.Sc., CSSBB, ASQ Member, President, Founder and Senior Consultant of Aristeio was sharing her knowledge and experience on Lean: A catalyst for sustainable businesses with participants at an event put on by the ASQ Indianapolis Section. Her presentation aimed at showing the synergy that exists between Lean management and realizing a sustainable organisation. Here are some notes on that presentation.

    UN Sustainable Development Goals

    Recent unusual extreme weather events in our southern neighbour’s regions, probably peaked her audience’s curiosity to learn more on how “human actions still have the potential to determine the future course of climate”. Veronica, a believer that lean tools are in the forefront of solutions, proposed ways for participants to instigate the necessary changes in their organisation so that sustainability becomes part of their Lean path and evolution.

    Her basis is from various European studies in 2019 which showed that ten countries produced more than 68% of global greenhouse gas emissions (!!). In that report, China was the largest, followed by the US, India, the European Union (27 countries counted as one), Russia, Japan, Brazil, Indonesia, Iran and Canada. It also showed that for the US and Canada (in similar proportions but not quantities), the majority of the effects were from Electricity/Heat, Transportation, Building and Manufacturing/Construction. It was proposed that in 2016, globally, energy use represented 73,2% of the 50 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Having made that statement, it followed that there goals must be set and solutions found. The United Nations (UN) set 17 goals. Veronica proposes that Sustainability in Supply Chain management — the orchestration and continuous improvement of planning and execution of processes on strategic, tactical and operational level along a value chain end-to-end, operating within economic, environmental, and social thresholds — should be one of them.

    The emissions throughout the supply chain may be identified and then reduced or eliminated by thinking in terms of Lean and Green processes — economic growth is combined with continued reductions of greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts. This may be achieved by the use of effective demand management and efficiency measures, the efficient use of energy, water, and other natural resources, optimized inputs to production processes, and a decrease/elimination of the level of waste to landfill.

    Lean   Green
    • Management System
    • Improve performance
    • Create value for the customer
    • True north
    • Efficiency
    • Waste reduction
    • People involvement
    • Cost reduction
     
    • Reducing hazardous emissions
    • Eliminating wasteful resources
    • Recycling
    • Minimizing health risks and environmental footprint during the whole life-cycle.

    VSM Green CharacteristicsVisual Stream MappingBecause “linking Lean and Green is a real advantage as opposed to implementing two distinct approaches”, Veronica explained that of the various tools currently available to the professional (5S, ANDON, JIT, KANBAN, POKE-YOKE, SMED and TPM), shared examples of 5S and TPM could work to solve productivity and environmental issues as part of  a strategic vision for Lean and Green. In that regard, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed adding a “Green” layer perspective to the traditional Visual Stream Mapping (VSM) typically used in Lean to document every step in the process. This “Green” layer perspective could then be applied to environmental projects and help instigate the necessary changes in an organisation so that sustainability becomes part of their Lean path and evolution.

    Veronica then proposed how to integrate the Lean-Green deployment as a strategic sustainability, the integration into the corporate bottom-line and discussed steps to overcome barriers. An interesting presentation indeed.


    Some further ressources:


  • ASQ Career Pathways — Map your professional career

    By Jean-Pierre Amiel, ASQ Senior, CQA ret., Web committee Chair.

    Plan your career today: where would you like to go with Career Pathways?

    ASQ has developed a tool that will allow you to “map out” your career journey, now available in beta test form for you to provide feedback on. The Career Pathways tool is full of resources and learning to help you reach your desired role, field, and experience level, as well as find new and exciting opportunities on our job board. Click on the links below to find basic information about typical quality field roles, the skills required and potential advancement opportunities.

    Mid-level icon tile and button Mid-level icon tile and button Advanced icon tile and button

    More information…


  • The Quality Manager and the Multiple Management Systems — Guest appearance in Toronto

    The Quality Manager and the Multiple Management Systems — Guest appearance in Toronto

    Last December our Montreal Section Chair, Raymond E Dyer, BSc & MBA, ASQ Senior Member, CMQ/OE, & CQA took his 30 years plus in Quality experiences with various industries, quality methods, models, tools, management system registrations, and registrars virtually to Toronto (A short walk the living room). His objective: To share stories with the ever growing need to have Quality Management System (QMS) professionals represent organizations facing multiple management systems and their certifications, well beyond ISO 9001. This presentation, similar to the one at our General Assembly, last October, but with a virtual twist.

    In his presentation Ray suggested that the QMS professional was the individual best able to ensure integration of the various systems because, that person usually had a :

      • • Broad understanding of the business;
      • • Cross functional influence;
      • • Experience with management system notions in Leadership communications, objectives, risk management, documentation, internal audits, management reviews, metrics/KPIs, corrective actions and improvement, etc. and a growing notion of an Integrated Management System;
      • • Experience representing the organization during 2nd and 3rd party audits.
    Opportunities Challenges
    • Adopt common management system processes:
    • Risk management
    • Objectives and KPIs
    • Documentation
    • Internal audits
    • Management reviews
    • Corrective actions
    • Improvement opportunities
    • Dealing with non integrated systems already in place
    • Dealing with overcomplicated process requirements and excessive documentation (some may remember Dilbert’s “One big honkin binder”)
    • Dealing with different colleagues responsible (Beware of working in silos)
    • Dealing with highly competing priorities

    His conclusions:
    • Organizations are increasingly seeking recognition in more than one ISO certification (ISO 9001 is often just the start!);
    • The QMS professional is often chosen to lead or strongly support such management system certifications due to their experience and the nature of their work;
    • Integrating the common elements of these management systems helps improve effectiveness and efficiency of related activities.


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