Again the year has kicked off to a busy start. Tony only had time to wipe the old year out of his eyes before he was re-elected to organise our monthly meetings and the first one caught him by surprise. As always he was ready for the challenge and the ever-available Yokogawa was quick to respond, and came to his rescue. As usual the lecture room at our Wika conference facility was filled with eager members and friends to grasp at every bit of information that they possibly could. Vortex flowmeters have become very sophisticated and also very reliable in the last couple of years. Accuracy has improved and applications of this device have increased considerably. Concerns of the past have been addressed by new technology. Our members have again benefited from this presentation. Be sure to book your seat for our next presentation on 7 March 2002 or you will find yourself standing in the aisle.
Everything is not in vain - communication between branches has picked up considerably and branches like Cape Town and Witbank have made it clear early in the New Year that they mean business. As I had predicted, the space provided in the Journal for branch news will have to be increased to accommodate all the competitive branches. No excuse is good enough from the older branches like the Zululand, Rustenburg, Vaal triangle, and Welkom branches for not actively becoming involved in the activities required from them. Guys, if you do not feel up to the challenge you can still provide for the needs of your members. It is not the fancy topic or the high-level presentation that score the points, but it is more what our members can gain intellectually from sponsored evenings, that have them coming back for more.
My question in this edition is to council and its members. What has happened to our leaders? My suggestion is that every member of council adopts a branch or sub-branch and assists struggling branches to get back on their feet. The dark cloud that shaded our institute has now faded away and if we all look towards the light together we will find the shadows of the past will fall behind us.
In this year we will all face challenges and CTR, our secretariat, will also be tested to the limit. If all of us pull together and provide them with the assistance that they need, we will soon find ourselves in the clear - with new members joining and old members rejoining to be part of the action. CTR is in the process of making corrections to our database and I believe that some of our members have already received questionnaires. Please, guys, fill them in and return them ASAP to assist in this mammoth task.
I have heard that the Witbank sub-branch is planning to have a bus travelling to Electrex in March. Details will be made available soon. (Another benefit for our members and their friends.)
Make sure you book a place in the Secunda Branch Golf Day on the 30 May 2002. It still is the best experience you will ever have or be part of. Remember, first come, first served. Space is limited and this year we will be forced to turn latecomers away. We do not want any of you to be disappointed.
Remember to order your shirts and caps. (They are not Secunda-specific; they are generic to the Institute.)
LET US SHOW THAT WE SUPPORT THE SAIMC AND ADVERTISE THAT WE ARE PART OF THE BEST.
Piet van Rensburg,Chairman SAIMC Secunda
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