One of the most frustrating points on the agenda of our bi-monthly Council meeting, is the one labelled 'Finance'. Aside from the usual discussions revolving around investments, unit trusts, bank accounts and costs, is the matter of members' subscriptions. I cannot remember a time when we did not have a list of unknown deposits into the SAIMC bank account, of companies and/or members who dutifully pay their yearly subscription fees, but never enters the invoice or membership number on the deposit slip. These deposits then end up on our 'schedule of unknown receipts', as there is no way CTR can trace the deposit back to the member without having an invoice or membership number to refer to.
So what happens next? Council gets up from the boardroom table and bang their heads against the wall for three minutes in an attempt to make the problem go away. How must we know who paid their subs on 31 March 2003 at the Nkomati Riverside Mall, if there is no reference on the deposit slip? Come on people, throw us a bone here.
Banking procedures 101
When making a deposit into a bank account other than your own, always remember to complete the section on the deposit slip that states 'depositors reference'. In the event of subscriptions being paid on behalf of a member by their employer, please refer the clerk at the financial department to the above rule.
Branch matters
As usual, Johannesburg and Secunda Branches are already at each other's throats to see who will be the winner of Branch of the year 2003. Both camps are working flat out to score as many points as possible by arranging site visits, social events, education forums and branch meetings by the dozen. Incidentally, the new scoring sheet will be distributed soon, and branches should take note of the changes made, mainly due to pressures from the Johannesburg and Secunda Branches.
Our Cape Town members should please take note that Derwyn Oxley is calling for additional members to serve on his branch committee, as he is finding it increasingly difficult to maintain momentum due to work related commitments. For those who do not know, Derwyn is the C/T Branch Chairman, and can be contacted at 083 309 7418.
Free lunch
While some are working hard to make their branches work, it would appear that the Rustenburg Branch has disappeared in a cloud of platinum dust. If anyone has any information or would like to take up the challenge of reviving this branch, please contact Johan van Jaarsveldt, chairman of the Johannesburg Branch at 082 905 2568. The first person to call will immediately be appointed as branch chairman, his/her institute subs for next year will be paid by the Johannesburg Branch and the president will buy them lunch at a venue of their choice. (Provided no passports are required to reach said venue.)
Oh dear, Mossel Bay, that little fishing village where they occasionally test their chemical plant to destruction, has hit the wall. (Like their Reformers). There once used to be a branch of the SAIMC there, and a very active and vibrant one at that. Gentlemen, if you only knew how many of the instrumentation suppliers up in Gauteng are itching to do a fully sponsored presentation at a branch meeting in Mossel Bay. The president of National Council will personally arrange both the presenter and the sponsorship for your next meeting, and will attend this meeting in person to assist in getting the branch back on track. Call 083 675 1414 and speak to Johan, please.
Durban, well what about them? I remember a time when the giant from Zululand competed fiercely in every SAIMC competition, from Branch of the Year to the Negretti, and won, regularly. Will they stand up and be counted in 2003? The man at the helm is Kevin McElroy and he can be contacted at [email protected]
National Council
It has come to our attention that a certain very prominent and very respected Branch Chairman is feeling extremely bitter and neglected by not being invited to attend our regular council meetings. Our apologies, but there seems to be a slight misunderstanding Mr Chairman.
Every Branch Chairman around the country is automatically seconded to the SAIMC National Council (It is in our constitution). This means that it should never be necessary for a Branch Chairman to be invited to attend council meetings, they are always more than welcome. At certain times, council requires the presence of all Branch Chairmen at a particular meeting, this normally happens once or twice a year and a notification to this effect is always sent out well in advance.
Institute members are also welcome to sit in at meetings at any time, all we ask is that they give us advance notification of their attendance, to enable us to arrange for seating and catering requirements.
Dates of meetings for the rest of the year
* 24 October 2003 at 09H00, this follows our annual banquet the previous evening - and ALL BRANCH CHAIRMEN ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND.
* 11 December 2003 at 13h30.
Please send comments to Johan Steyn: [email protected]
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