The Membership Screening Board is tasked to "encourage qualified civil engineers to join the Association, as well as take charge of the nomination to the grade of FELLOW, endorsement of admission to the grade of REGULAR MEMBER, ASSOCIATE MEMBER, or AFFILIATE MEMBER, and initiation of any proceedings toward the suspension or expulsion of a member".

Functions

As stated in the ASEP by-laws, the MSB shall perform these functions:

• Promote the organization and encourage qualified civil engineers to join the ASEP
• Evaluate and nominate qualified Regular Members to the grade of Fellow
• Evaluate and endorse qualified new applicants to the grade of Regular, Associate and Affiliate Member, and
• Initiate proceedings towards the suspension or expulsion of a member.

In its effort to encourage enthusiasm in the membership, the ASEP Board 2000-2001 had appointed the MSB make an pro-active effort to screen and evaluate the membership status of all members and recommend qualified members for upgrade to the grade of Regular or Fellow. In response, the MSB is setting targets to accomplish these.

Composition and Tenure

Presently, the MSB is composed of Engr. Ronaldo S. Ison (Chairman), Engr. Emilio M. Morales (Member), and Engr. Wilfredo S. Lopez (Member). The three board members have a term of three (3) years. Appointment to the MSB is staggered that only one (1) member is appointed every year, with the two (2) members remaining for continuity in the screening policies.

With the vast function of the MSB, the 2000-2001 ASEP Board had initiated the formation, of a Technical Committee to assist the MSB in its functions. It is also from the Technical Committee that future MSB Members may be chosen from. The first MSB Technical Committee was formed to compose of Engr. Edwin C. Matanguihan, Engr, Joseph Ramil I. Manalo and Engr. Valentino M. Beltran. The TC members shall have a term of one (1) year renewable by the MSB.

Plans and Programme

With the support of the ASEP Board, the MSB aims to promote the association among civil engineers practicing structural engineering, particularly those outside of Metro Manila. It also aims to enhance enthusiasm of new members and existing members in taking an active role in the association's undertakings.

It is desired that these objectives be attained by the MSB through the following proposed activities:

• provide for the processing and evaluation of applicants every quarter and the induction of new members twice a year,
• provide new members with a "member's kit" and enlist new members in a specific committee upon induction to the association,
• evaluate the current members' status and recommend qualified members for upgrade,
• promote the association and accept applications through the association's website, and
• if possible, conduct provincial campaigns to meet with prospective applicants to the association.

Proposed Amendments to MSB Resolution No. 1 : Implementing Rules and Regulation Formulating the Guidelines for the Screening and Evaluation of the Application of New Members and the Upgrade of Membership Status*

Composition

A Technical Committee shall be formed to compose of qualified Regular Members, who has been with the organization for three (3) years. An MSB-TC member shall have a term of one (1) year renewable by the MSB. After which, he/she may be appointed as Member of the MSB. However, only MSB Members shall vote on any endorsements to the ASEP Board.

Endorsement of New Applicants

The present by-laws states that "the application of the prospective member shall be endorsed by at least three (3) Regular Members, in good standing, of the Association"

The following are the proposed modes by which a prospective member may be endorsed to the organization:

• by three (3) regular members of the ASEP
• by personal interview of the MSB

Rating of the Type of Experience

Resolution No. 1 provides for equal maximum weight of 1.0 for all types of experiences.

The MSB proposes the following rating guidelines:

• Structural Design Experience - max weight of 100% for each year of qualified experience
• Design Management Experience - max. weight of 70% for each year of qualified experience
• Teaching Experience - max. weight of 50% for each year of qualified experience
• Master' Degree - one (1) rated year for twenty four (24) completed academic units
  
  Note: Experiences in construction and Community/Civic Action will not be considered in the evaluation.

Additional Requirements for Applicants to Regular Membership

Those applying for upgrade shall be required to have completed 100 units of the Continuing Professional Development courses, particularly, in Structural Steel, Reinforced Concrete, Matrix Analysis and Structural Dynamics. Applicants with a Master's Degree in Structures are exempted.

*Discussed during the 11th Regular Board Meeting