Johannesburg Branch
September 2005
SAIMC
At times, even with the best intentions, it happens. One says, does or writes something, and then someone is offended. Some bright fellow once commented that "You can satisfy some people some of the time, but you cannot satisfy all of the people all of the time". It happens that I am responsible for writing the invitations for the monthly Johannesburg Branch meetings. In doing so, I try to find some aspect of the discussion that will whet the readers appetite, and by so doing, get more members to attend. For the last meeting I wrote "the positive displacement meter had its turn, the turbine meter had its turn, now it is the turn of the Coriolis meter, we grow with technology". Wow, the response was quick and cutting and I had to explain that even though we are able to use new expertise and products, the long-established methods still have a role to play for many years to come; it is up to the plant design engineer to choose the best equipment for the application. The SAIMC does not endorse any particular manufacturer or product; it is our intention to allow an educated choice to be made. This is now part of the small print.
That is it, we all have to protect our territory and ourselves, also at the same time where possible, respect the territory of others.
The branch is being well supported by both members and patrons, and the efforts of the committee are resulting in fine success. The monthly meetings are well attended and usually result in lively discussions afterward. By the time you read this, our discussion on fiscal metering using Coriolis meters will be in the past, I expect that there will be some heated debate on the subject, but afterwards we will all have a better understanding of the subject.
The BMW tour is fully booked up. Because of the popularity of this event, and if there are sufficient requests, we will try to organise a second tour this year.
Even though we have a full calendar for this year, it is at times difficult to predict what subjects are of interest to the members; why not make some suggestions? We will endeavour to include your ideas as soon as possible.
Vivian MacFadyen, chairman, Johannesburg Branch, [email protected]
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