It seems like yesterday when we had our AGM for 2003 and here we stand on the front porch of the one for 2004. 2003 was a very busy year and again it was pedal to the metal with events, happenings and functions for the Secunda branch. Our educational evenings hit an all time high with the right topic presented by speakers fit for the purpose. The evenings had an average turnout of nothing less than 35 attendees who learned something new every time.
We have managed to build friendship bridges, met new and old friends and had a plain good time. To top it all we obtained the services of a master chef who added the necessary flavour and spice to these evenings. Unfortunately he was transferred to work in Mozambique and in future he might not be available to us on every occasion hosted by the branch. To Jorry we say all the best with your career, we will keep you posted with our dates and if you are available, we need you man, give us a call.
The highlight of the year is by far still our famous Golf Day at the end of May. (Funny that the Joburg branch still did not get the notification that the day is planned every year for the last Thursday in May). This year it was no different. This one was the biggest so far with 138 four balls entered and nine waterholes sponsored. So good was it that we received early bookings for 2004 from no less than three four balls and one waterhole immediately after the event. Again this year nature played its part to add stress and strain to the organisers. Last year we feared that the game would be snowed out and this year the late rains and big chill kept us on our toes.
Our yearly sponsor's day is still not what we expect it to be with only a few of our valued sponsors attending but we hope to get it right in the near future. Yokogawa again walked away with the winner trophy but I overheard the chatter in the passage that it will be their last time for some time to come. We will have to wait and see.
On-site visits there were no shortage of either. Dennis for some reason has seen the light and, supported by other members on the committee, has outdone himself. Hopefully he did not use up all his energy and we can bargain on the same efforts for the New Year.
The Penmac Road show was also a high like every year in the past. This year the branch received one of the prime spots for our stand. This paid off and hopefully we can bargain on the same spot and an even better stand for next year.
Our main goal for 2003 was to get involvement from our educational institutes in our area. Several attempts were made without success. The Secunda branch though is not one to give up easily and towards the latter part of the year we hooked the Vaal Triangle Technikon satellite campus in Evander. This relationship can be the biggest payoff for the trade in instrumentation. For the year to come, the aim will be to find common ground where we can support one another in providing the best training theoretically as well as practically for the students. We will double our efforts next year to also get the Evander technical college involved. It is believed that if we can indicate to them how they can benefit from a relationship with the SAIMC, more students and trainees can reap the benefit of the relationship. We thank the branch in Zululand for the groundwork they did to get their tertiary institutes involved.
Another aim for 2003 was to put in place consecutive planning to ensure continuity of branch activity even in the event when the whole committee is replaced with a new one. This means financial soundness, events booking and a database of possible presenters for educational evenings. We are 95% there and the last 5% will be achieved at our AGM in 2004.
This year our own newsletter saw the light of day and the promise is that it will at least be a quarterly publication to our members and everyone else who wishes to receive this outstanding item. Not only is it a means of letting our members know of happenings and plans related to the branch. Dennis will add some training articles and tips to add to the power of our own newsletter. Your support is needed in making this publication a valuable item, so please forward your contribution to the committee. It is possible that we might host a competition or so in this newsletter.
The year kicked off with a lot of criticism around the administration of the branch and several complaints were heard. These were all addressed one by one and solutions were found for most of the very important ones. We see this as part of our growth and development to be the best and to show our maturity in solving problems and meeting the demands of our members in providing them with the best. At branch level we addressed their needs and we now find that the next phase is taking shape. Members now voiced their needs to council through the committee. This is not criticism towards council but a mere request that energy be redirected to address the needs of the members. I believe council has also responded by putting resources in place to have another look at their direction and considering them in future plans. We must now take up the challenge ahead of us and show that we are the best in looking after our members and their needs in providing satisfactory answers to their valid questions.
The Secunda branch gives thanks to council, CTR, our sponsors, members and friends for their support during 2003. May 2004 be a year full of success and let friendship and good relations be our aim for the New Year. The Secunda branch has the vision, skills and commitment to be the power of the future.
Thought for 2004
Either you are driving the bus, or you are a passenger on the bus... or you are in the way!
Piet van Rensburg
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