A church-sponsored organization for the promotion of the interests of Seventh-day Adventist privately owned and operated supporting enterprises in North America, formerly known as the Association of SDA Self-supporting Institutions and as the Association of Privately Owned SDA Services and Industries. It continues to be referred to by the initials ASI .
This organization, originally known as the North American Commission for Self-supporting Missionary Work, was established in 1946 with the vice president for the North American Division, N. C. Wilson, as chair, and E. A. Sutherland, M.D., of Madison Institution, as secretary. Six General Conference representatives were appointed as members of the operating committee.
The Association of SDA Self-supporting Institutions was organized at a special meeting held in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1947, with 25 charter members. E. A. Sutherland, M.D., was elected president; W. E. Mahlin, M.D., vice president; Wayne McFarland, M.D., secretary-treasurer. This action was ratified at the 1947 Annual Council.
Merger and Reorganization. At its Fourth Annual Convention at Grand Ledge, Michigan, Sept. 3, 1951, ASI voted to amalgamate with the General Conference Commission for Self-supporting Missionary Enterprises (the latter organization had succeeded the Commission on Rural Living, created in 1946 by a merger of the Committee on Country Living and the North American Commission for Self-supporting Missionary Work).
Association Objectives. The purpose of the ASI is:
1. To foster and promote the interests of businesses and supporting enterprises operated by Seventh-day Adventists throughout the North American Division.
2. To encourage Seventh-day Adventist church members in privately owned enterprises of various types to unite their efforts with those of denominationally operated enterprises in the furtherance and extension of the gospel to their immediate communities, and to the ends of the earth, according to their abilities and opportunities.
3. To encourage such businesses and enterprises to commit themselves to work in full and complete harmony with the standards and policies of the denomination in their relationships with conference and church administrations, ministers, and church members, and with the people of their communities.
Membership. The membership of ASI may be classified under the following types of institutions or enterprises: businesses; industries; educational; nursing homes; retirement centers; community and convalescent hospitals; medical and dental clinics; foundations of various types; and personal members. Membership is limited to businesses, personalized enterprises, and institutions operated by SDA church members in harmony with denominational standards and principles, and according to professional and ethical standards, and recommended by local and union conference administrations and their ASI secretaries.
Memberships are subject to a biennial review by the ASI board. An annual membership fee is set for each member according to the size of the enterprise.
Officers and ASI Board consist of a president, a general vice president, four other vice presidents, an executive secretary, and a treasurer, who are elected by the constituency of the association and approved by NADCOM. The ASI board consists of 26 members, consisting of 20 laypersons and six church administrators appointed by NADCOM.
The General Conference provides office space and an annual budget for office, secretarial, and travel expense. It also provides the salary and general expense of the executive secretary and treasurer of the ASI , since that individual is considered a member of the General Conference Executive Committee.
Conventions. Formerly held quarterly, then biennially, conventions are now held annually. Nationwide conventions provide professional training and Christian fellowship for the thousands who attend, all at their own expense.
Statistics: As of July 1993, ASI had 1,021 members.
ASI News and ASI Magazine. In 1947 a mimeographed news bulletin, called News Letter , was founded. In 1951 this publication was issued in printed form and the name was changed to News and Views. In 1953 it became known simply as News; in 1961 the name was changed to ASI News . In 1993 a new four-color bimonthly 16-page magazine titled ASI Magazine was launched, edited by Ralph Blodgett. At that time the ASI News was changed into a two-color newsletter and published on alternating months.
Projects. Lately a program has been instituted whereby various worthy enterprises are chosen as recipients of help extended by special offerings from ASI members. Numerous schools and hospitals in mission lands have thus been aided.
Chapters. Upon vote of the ASI board, any union conference may organize its own ASI chapter. Chapters may call meetings whenever it is feasible and may recruit members as they see fit. The Pacific Union and the Lake Union were the first unions to so organize.
Presidents: E. A. Sutherland, M.D., 1947–1949; W. E. Straw, 1949–1951; L. A. Senseman, M.D., 1951–1966; Allan R. Buller, 1966–1973; Roger F. Goodge, 1973–1979; Harold Lance, 1979–1983; Philip Winsted, 1983–1987; Henry Martin, 1987–1989; Raymond Hamblin, 1989– .
Executive Secretaries: Wayne McFarland, M.D., 1947–1951; Wesley Amundsen, 1951–1968; Caris H. Lauda, 1968–1975; J. J. Aitken, 1975–1981; Kenneth H. Livesay, 1981–1985; William C. Arnold, 1985–1991; G. Edward Reid, 1991–1993; Dwight Hilderbrandt, 1994– .