It is about time that the Secunda Branch used some of the space to provide some report on the happenings here in the Teks area. For the whole of last year not one report has seen the light and this can only be a result of several reasons. The editor changed jobs and the branch was so busy trying to meet the demand of the members that the magazine was inexcusably neglected.
The year as normal kicked off with a very successful AGM although the attendance was not what is expected if you consider that our member count is now over 180 strong and we have several patrons represented in the area. The old committee was elected as usual with some new additions. Last year we also saw the first lady committee member in our branch. This has attracted more ladies to attend our monthly technological evenings
After a very slow start in the beginning of the year, with presenters cancelling at the last minute, the rest of the year fell in place quite nicely. Last year most of our presentations were extremely technical, catering for the more serious type of person in the trade. It is very concerning that the figures at our meeting have dropped badly and a much more concerted effort will be made in the New Year to increase the figures to make it worth our presenters' time and effort.
Site visits last year have been neglected and we did not organise any during the year, also something that we will have to seriously look at this coming year.
Only one newsletter came from Dennis' pen but again this was something to be proud of. Not totally relevant to the instrument trade but very interesting to find out how an electronic device that can take over the function of the heart is charged without a supply connected to it.
Our Branch's web page has also changed its face. The faces of some of previous years' committee members made way for something more relevant to some of the activities presented by the Branch. This will continue to happen in future since we can now make the changes ourselves on the new SAIMC website. Members and interested persons should visit branches and specifically the Secunda branch to find out what is happening. Events will be advertised and updated at least once a month. Suppliers will also be able to book for events on line.
Our main focus point for the year came after the 'Bosberaad' that council hosted early in the year. The team felt very strong about the new direction forthcoming from very interesting discussions that took place at this session. Our team decided to hold a few sessions of our own to put some action plans in place to assist council to bring about the required change to the institute and to assist the country to alleviate the skill shortage currently encountered. So eager was the team that we almost took over the functions of tertiary as well as industry to train up the required bodies that are so urgently required only to soon realise that we have bitten off more than we can chew.
Scale down was the call! The plan then was to concentrate on the things that we can influence to bring about the change required. Our first aim in the New Year will be to start with some sessions at the schools in the area to tell students about the instrument trade as a career path to follow. Hopefully people wanting to purchase pianos or guitars from our instrument suppliers will be more educated. Later in the year we will then also do presentations at our tertiary institutions on the same subject of control instruments as a field of study.
The next objective is to join forces with the Vaal University of Technology. They have received some land from the Secunda Council and the aim is to build a technical campus in the area. Sasol and some other industries have already pledged their support for this initiative and the SAIMC Secunda branch will now assist the VUT in obtaining the support and buy in from the other large industries like Eskom, the mines and the steel manufacturing industries in the area. The thought is to form a board of trustees to sponsor and manage the campus as a tertiary body and then to offer practical training to the students at the various industries. This will ensure that students entering the workplace become productive sooner and are trained on plant where they will focus their career path.
Our now popular golf day turned out to be the most successful one held so far. Tee off was delayed for almost an hour due to the mist. Eventually the first teams went off blindly into the mist that only lifted round about half past ten. The winners of the day was the four ball entered by Mitec and the best water hole was sponsored by NIC. Some good prizes were on offer from our own online shop. This online shop is now fully operational and soon pictures from our available catalogue will be displayed on the website.
Not everything is always plain sailing, as was highlighted by the planning of a business breakfast and seminar on the morning of the Penmac road show. This did not even come off the ground. The main contributing factor was the Penmac and the Mining show taking place on the same day. This is an event that will be properly planned next time around.
Our year came to a conclusion with a very well planned and executed Year End function. This is the highlight of the Secunda branch to make presentations and honour our achievers of the year and to also contribute towards our community. It is also the event where we strengthen relationships with sponsors, members and friends for the year to follow.
We, at the Secunda branch, wish every contributor to the institute a prosperous New Year and invite everyone who wants to be part of this successful branch to attend our AGM in January where several important decisions will have to be made to sustain this branch.
Piet van Rensburg
| Tel: | +27 11 312 2445 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
| www: | www.saimc.co.za |
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