SAIMC in Secunda and Rustenburg
At the May SAIMC Council Meeting a proposal was tabled by the Johannesburg Branch that the Secunda and Rustenburg Sub-branches be given full branch status. This was approved unanimously by all the Council Members. The Council and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the chairmen and their committees for all the hard work and effort they have put in to making these two branches a success.
I remember going to Rustenburg in 1992 to give a talk on Meteorites, minerals and Merensky to an enthusiastic embryonic group of measurement and control members. They have kept going as a small group for a long time but have suddenly revitalised under the guidance of the Johannesburg Branch and Tony Holme in particular. Tony twisted my arm to give an update on MMM at their December dinner-dance and I was pleasantly surprised to find a packed ballroom at the Safari Hotel. For information on forthcoming meetings, SAIMC functions or membership applications please contact the Branch Chairman - Martinus van der Westhuizen (014) 569 4967.
Secunda has amazed all of us with the speed with which the branch has taken off. We normally allow at least two years for the sub-branch to meet all the membership criteria to become a fully-fledged branch. Well, Secunda have achieved all the requirements in a year, thanks to the enthusiastic work by Piet van Rensburg and his committee. I look forward to visiting you in the near future to offer my personal congratulations. For info phone Piet on (017) 615 2513.
Annual council dinner
Watch this space! That was my comment previously and I am now pleased to announce that with the generous help from Jo Melville and TML Reed we will have Quinton Coetzee, dynamic speaker, wildlife expert and TV presenter with his powerful and riveting talks from the wild. Using spectacular visuals Quinton illustrates that we all have the potential to improve our business skills and performance, it is really a case of getting back to basics... about the reality of personal commitment and survival in the corporate world. 'A unique and fresh approach to business essentials with huge practical value.' That is what it says in the review, so bring on the man. Bryanston Club on Wednesday 1st November, do not forget the tux.
New tie
Whilst on the subject of dress, the Council has had thoughts about a new SAIMC tie design. Nothing wrong with the old one in my opinion except much too short. John Stratford took on the job before wandering off into the wilderness of Mexico and the lights of Dallas USA to peddle his wares. We all like the new look and length and these should be available from your friendly local branch Committees soon.
Maybe I am from the wrong generation - but when someone in the same building sends me an e-mail invite for dinner or I miss an important meeting at 4.30 p.m. because I was sent an e-mail at 10 a.m., when my computer was switched off, I start to wonder where this is all leading to. Is it obligatory to have the computer on and a cellphone with you at all times? We used to talk to each other or send letters before Graham Bell came along, then telegrams, telexes and the great fax machine which put the postal service in the red and lots of scooter drivers out of work.
The fax was great because you could proudly show off your newfound ability to type your own letters on your own PC using WordPerfect. Secretaries became personal assistants and typing your letters was not part of a job description. Then Gates opened the Window and the Word required us to have three hands to operate the mouse and type at the same time. As soon as we mastered all this the tidal wave of e-mail hit us. Send one out and you get two back and now the PA is needed as the e-mail firewall.
I think that e-mail is good for quick messages and websites are great for looking up data or finding new unknown products but nothing beats a good discussion with someone who knows what he is talking about.
Dave Howcroft
(011) 462 1920
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