During a Strategic Planning session held by the SAIMC in March 1999, one of the key points identified as a serious weakness on the part of Council, was the 'one way' communication between Council and SAIMC members. Recently, this talkback column was started as a Council initiative to provide members with an easy communications channel into the workings of the SAIMC in general, and the administration of member's queries and concerns in particular.
Sadly, not one single member or branch has thus far responded to this initiative, yet it would seem that there are some very ruffled feathers out there concerning comments made by the Johannesburg and Secunda Branches in this very magazine in the past. The bottom line is: If comments by other branches or members within our Institute seems biased, unfair, unreasonable or generally not acceptable to anyone, put it on record. If it is not put on record, it never happened as far as Council is concerned.
It has to be made clear that one of the aims of Talkback and the Branch News sections in the SAI&C magazine, is to stimulate healthy and intelligent debate among our members, as well as to draw all the branches around the country into the Branch of the Year and Negretti competitions. At the same time our members can add value to their Institute by commenting on various matters of importance, or by suggesting ways of improving our administration and the overall image of the SAIMC.
July Council meeting
"There is a new kid on the block, yes you heard it - the Vaal region has eventually surfaced with a committee that looks like this..." This was the preamble on the Half Year report submitted to Council on 31 July by the representative from the Vaal Sub-Branch, Andre Boonzaaier. For the past two years or so, the two top branches in the country has been prodding the other branches to stand up and be counted, which is exactly what the Vaal Sub is now doing. It seems that they have had enough of this 'abuse', and we look forward to see them rise up to become a force to be reckoned with. Their committee looks formidable and their program for the rest of the year is packed with interesting topics and events, well done gentlemen!
For more information on the Vaal Sub-Branch, contact Al Serra on 082 458 5463.
Another slumbering giant seems to be the team from down in Durban. When Kevin McElroy read their report for the past six months and all the activities that took place there as well as their plans for the rest of the year, some nervous shuffling of feet could be heard from the Secunda and Johannesburg representatives at the meeting. It seems very likely that Durban would be contesting the Branch of the Year 2002, and rightly so, as they are after all past winners of this award. At the same time, Derwyn Oxley was making notes and smiling to himself, dare we hope for a challenge from Cape Town too?
Finances
As at the end of July 2002, the total outstanding amount for membership subs from members and Patron members totalled R69 680,20. Council and the SAIMC need these funds to keep the Institute going, so please make a special effort to settle all outstanding amounts as soon as possible. Invoices have been sent out and if anybody did not receive theirs, please let us know, and they will be forwarded.
Please send your comments/suggestions to Johan Stein, [email protected]
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