Newsletter from the Executive Officer

SAIMC

IBG - SA Instrumentation & Control Buyers' Guide

November 2000 SAIMC

Dear Patrons and Members

The number of new members and patron members is steadily increasing indicating that membership of the SAIMC is being recognised more than ever as an integral part of belonging to the process, control systems and instrumentation industry.

I appeal to all of our membership to influence your colleagues and persuade them to become members of the SAIMC. Remember being a member of the SAIMC adds more to your status as a professional. At your next branch meeting take a friend along to see what it is all about. This idea came from Rod Gray, the General Secretary for the SAIMC, and I believe that it is an excellent idea. Your friend would gain more from direct contact with branch members.

But what are we at the SAIMC doing to improve the Institute's viability and value in terms of adding more benefits for our members?

* A new and improved catalogue has just been received from the ISA and a list of the catalogue's content will be issued to members and patrons on request.

* The SAIMC library is undergoing an update of new material and a list will be issued as soon as possible.

However as in all things financial, these new items will take time to implement. I would appreciate some assistance in the matter of benefits. As a member, send me an e-mail or fax on what you would like to see as a benefit.

What else has been happening at the SAIMC?

ECSA (Engineering Council of South Africa)

Although the registration process with ECSA is a little formidable, especially for those who are now much older, it is the sensible and most important way to go for your future in process, control systems and instrumentation engineering.

I personally know of C & I people who have applied to ECSA for registration and ECSA have very fairly addressed the transition from the existing C & I status to the new technologist level. To obtain an application form and additional details contact:

The Public Relations Officer, Private Bag X691, Bruma 2026

Tel: (011) 622 9011

Fax: (011) 622 9295

e-mail: ecsa@lia.co.za

Branches

I visited the Secunda Branch Meeting in August and was warmly received by all. Piet van Rensburg and the Secunda Team are doing a marvellous job by making Secunda the fastest growing branch in the SAIMC.

Derwyn Oxley of the Cape Town branch and his team are working hard again to keep the spirit of the SAIMC very much alive in the Cape.

The Mossel Bay team is also steadily increasing its membership and is hot on the tail of the Secunda boys.

The joint conference of the Durban SAIMC/SAIEE on lifeskills has gone well and I am sure that many of the delegates were impressed with the content.

Al Serre and his colleagues are reviving the Vaal Triangle branch and are having a meeting on 4 October with speakers from Wika in Johannesburg. Many thanks to Al and his colleagues.

A new sub-branch has been started in Harare by David Gracie of Endress+Hauser. The SAIMC and all the membership wish you the very best and every success.

There is tremendous interest in starting a new sub-branch at Orapa in Botswana and a sub-branch starter pack is on the way.

Exhibitions

Speaking of shows, I attended the Electro-Mining Show from 11-15 September and signed up five new members and two patrons. John Crossland and I were run off our feet by the number of people inquiring about the SAIMC with 108 people taking application forms away.

The Penmac Show in Vanderbijl also did well, with two signed- up memberships and three patrons signed-up memberships. The SAIMC Patron membership was well represented by 14 exhibitors. The next Penmac show will be in Carletonville on 21 November and is definitely a must to attend.

The SAIMC web page is at www.saimc.org.za

Talking about our web page, this is really a very useful way of meeting other members and exchanging information, or looking for old manuals or calibration instructions. So why not use the SAIMC web - it belongs to you.

The following list of contact numbers will allow you to reach me at the SAIMC office or at home:

SAIMC Office

Tel: (011) 487 3000

Fax: (011) 487 3002

e-mail: saimc@saiee.org.za

Home tel: (011) 609 1944

e-mail: mmarshal@mweb.co.za

Cell: 083 308 4207

Our secretary Rhoda says "Hello Everybody" from under the heap of paper she calls her desk.

So from Rhoda and your friendly Executive Officer

Our very best regards

Mike Marshall