The Society Leaders’ BRIEF

Volume 1 Issue 6 – December 2006

ISA is fortunate to have over 1,200 volunteers working in the various leadership roles available via society units – Sections, Districts, Divisions, Standards – and the society itself. Although dedicated to a particular activity, we are one organization in pursuit of a common objective: serving the membership and industries we represent. To be most effective as a leader, a broad range of information about society happenings is needed. The Society Leaders’ BRIEF, a bi-monthly resource, is intended to draw your attention to the facts that can enable and empower your volunteer service.

BRIEF Survey Results
In November you were given the opportunity to comment on this resource – the Society Leaders’ BRIEF. Thank you to the 103 of you who responded. That is a 9% response rate, which is good. Consensus is that the BRIEF is a positive resource and should be continued in 2007. The following information was gleaned from the survey responses….

Some of the BRIEF information is trickling into Section newsletters. This is a positive step, because Section newsletters provide a smart way to get information to members. ….Regarding content, there was primary interest in membership updates/changes. (ISA membership numbers have enjoyed four consecutive months of increase!) Information about certification/ training and EXPO, standards updates, press releases, conference and exhibit opportunities, and publishing remain popular topics – and in that order. The Society Leaders’ BRIEF will continue to carry updates and appropriately focused details on these areas in the coming year.

Probably leader buy-in to the concept that what is going on under the ISA umbrella is both important and helpful to all Society leaders, regardless of their particular interest area, is a strong statement that leaders recognize the connectedness of all ISA efforts and events. Being in a position to share information about an ISA activity other than your “field of expertise” is very helpful when talking with non-members and members alike. When you can direct someone toward the answer to their questions – or recommend a professional enhancement – that’s helpful – and will be appreciated and remembered. Knowledge is power. Your knowledge of ISA and its activities empowers your leadership.

A number of leaders expressed interest in preparing an article for future issues of the BRIEF. Expect to see these topics covered: Recruiting ISA Leaders; Marketing, PR or Web related information; SP104 – Its Objectives, Progress; Teleconferencing for Section Meetings; Student Career Night; Forming a Student Section in Saudi Arabia; Fiber Optic Sensors; News Initiatives. It will be a pleasure to include your articles in the Society Leaders’ BRIEF – Member-to-Member information exchange.

A suggestion was made that the BRIEF be attached as a pdf file to the broadcast message directing you to the Web copy. This sounds like a real service to many of you and will be pursued for 2007.

Finally, your general comments on the BRIEF generated this question: Do ISA leaders recognize that there are TWO newsletters with BRIEF in the name? They are the Society Leaders’ BRIEF, which you are reading; and the Section Leaders BRIEF, which is printed and mailed to Section leaders four times during the year. The Section BRIEF is focused on running an ISA Section. The Society BRIEF goes to all coded ISA leaders and provides a broad view of what’s happening within your society. Society Leaders’ BRIEF contributions cheerfully accepted.

EXPO - Standards Theater Presentations
The presentations in the Automation Connections Theater and the Standards Theater from the show are accessible online at http://www.isa.org/Presentations_EXPO06

Connections Opens the Door to Membership
Have you seen the new DVD Connections? It is a great door-opener when you want to talk about the benefits of ISA membership. Copies were distributed to Delegates at the October Council of Society Delegates Meeting in Houston – and to those who registered for the Leaders Fall Meeting. To view ISA Connections (Quicktime), please click here. To receive your free ISA Connection DVD, please call customer service at (919) 549-8411 or e-mail your request to info@isa.org.
The ISA Rewards for Recruiting Program rewards recruiters. If you recruit one new ISA Member, you will receive an ISA Wireless Mouse. Recruit 5 or more new ISA Members and receive a $100 gift certificate good for ISA merchandise. **Just make sure your name and Member number appear in the Sponsor Information area of the Member's enrollment form.** Note that former members who rejoin are counted like a new member. Get your Section busy with a recruitment campaign and use your list of suspended members as primary contacts.

January Training
Research Triangle Park, NC - ISA Headquarters
• 22-26 January - Introduction to Industrial Automation and Control (FG07)
• 29-31 January - Safety Instrumented Systems-Design, Analysis & Justification (EC50)
Additional Course Details
Use the link above for more information about these courses, or contact ISA at (919) 549-8411.

Partnering with ABB
Did you know that ISA will serve as an educational partner, providing several one-day courses, during ABB’s Automation World Conference 2007? The Conference will be held at the Caribe Royale Hotel in Orlando, Florida, 20-22 March 2007. For more information, click here

Technician Training Week 2007 – 5-9 March – Philadelphia, PA
All training courses will be held at the Hilton Philadelphia Airport, 4509 Island Avenue, Philadelphia, PA.
Click here for more information

Reminder - Honors & Awards Nominations Due 10 February
To submit a nomination or for more information, visit http://www.isa.org/honors or call (919) 990-9241. All nominations must be received by 10 February. Fellow nominations are due 4 May and are processed through the Admissions Committee. Information included under the Honors & Awards header.

Get the Latest Information – Press Releases
You have received a number of press releases over the past couple of years. These releases reflect ISA’s increased efforts to inform its Members and the general public about society actions and opportunities. Perhaps you recall seeing a topic that you skipped over at the time but would like to read now. You can review the releases online. They are provided by month of distribution for 2005 and 2006. Here is the path. Go to www.isa.org. Look under General Information in the left navigation bar and select About ISA>Press Room>Press Releases. You might find this information particularly useful for inclusion in Section and/or Division newsletters.

WBF – World Batch Forum
The 2007 WBF North American Conference will be held April 30 through May 4 at the Tremont Plaza Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Keynote speakers, panels, and discussion forums will provide focus on implementation of industry standards including ISA-88, ISA-95, B2MML, and Make2Pack. WBF's collaborative activities with ISA, OMAC, and MESA will also be highlighted. More

ISAJobs
This is useful information you need to keep handy - select To Learn More about ISA Job Opportunities If you would like to suggest, or submit for consideration, content for the Society Leaders' BRIEF, Laura Crumpler will be happy to hear from you: 919-990-9232 or lcrumpler@isa.org.