ISA Sections
Occasionally I get communications that would indicate some members are concerned that ISA is forgetting about local sections. Some of the communications are very accusatory that the Society is trying to get rid of local sections. Let me assure you, nothing could be further from the truth! Sure, much of our marketing is about global and government outreach and our technical programs, but that doesn’t mean that the Society isn’t interested in the health of local sections.
Local sections are and always have been the life blood of ISA. Look at how the organization was founded—it was a group of local societies that realized they had a common interest. This was back in 1945, and a lot has changed since then. We don’t have to rely on a live meeting to exchange information. The Internet has changed that dynamic drastically. We also don’t have to attend a trade show to get product information—again, many customers let their fingers do the walking over their computer keyboard to access this information. But the Internet has not eliminated the need for human interaction. One core value of membership in any organization is the networking. Although nowadays this can be done electronically, it is much more successful when done in person.
Sections (and Divisions) are where leaders are born and raised. Many local sections produce two things that members crave most: a local newsletter and a local directory. But the real key to section health lies in programming. Build it and they will come.
Let me share an event I recently attended in Los Angeles, CA—granted this is my home section and I like to brag about some of the good things the local leaders do, but this was truly a great event. The locals call it Tech Nite but the title recently changed to Instrumentation…period. Many years ago two sections of ISA and the Southern California Measurement Association sponsored an exhibit and short course. Back in the late 1990s the event died a quiet death. The Los Angeles Section recognized a need for training opportunities and a small exhibition, so they started “Tech Nite.” The rules of engagement were that exhibiting vendors had to have something “hands-on” for the technicians to do and no ties were allowed. This was a small event—one evening, about 20 exhibitors, and a few hours of technical presentations—but, the baby has grown and Instrumentation is now a full day of technical courses covering a wide variety of subjects, important today. The exhibit had something like 75 participants and the foot traffic was busy. They even had a couple Universities on site with remote controlled vehicles on display wowing the attendees with their capabilities.
There are many events like this that occur around the world. Good technical presentations and educational events happen daily. The Society at the global level recognizes this and thanks all the volunteers that make these events happen. The Society does not want to sacrifice sections in our endeavor to increase awareness and esteem of the Automation profession, but if we are to succeed in providing the one thing members ask of the Society—recognition of the profession—then we have to look outward. Walt Boyes of Control said it best when he pointed out that we have to stop looking at the profession from our “insider” perspective and see it from an “external” view. While we work on gaining recognition for the profession at the Society level, we have faith that our section leaders will continue to represent the face of ISA at the local level in ways that their members desire. The Society will continue to pump out technical information and work on advocating for the profession to the outside world. By working together, we will all succeed.
Local sections are and always have been the life blood of ISA. Look at how the organization was founded—it was a group of local societies that realized they had a common interest. This was back in 1945, and a lot has changed since then. We don’t have to rely on a live meeting to exchange information. The Internet has changed that dynamic drastically. We also don’t have to attend a trade show to get product information—again, many customers let their fingers do the walking over their computer keyboard to access this information. But the Internet has not eliminated the need for human interaction. One core value of membership in any organization is the networking. Although nowadays this can be done electronically, it is much more successful when done in person.
Sections (and Divisions) are where leaders are born and raised. Many local sections produce two things that members crave most: a local newsletter and a local directory. But the real key to section health lies in programming. Build it and they will come.
Let me share an event I recently attended in Los Angeles, CA—granted this is my home section and I like to brag about some of the good things the local leaders do, but this was truly a great event. The locals call it Tech Nite but the title recently changed to Instrumentation…period. Many years ago two sections of ISA and the Southern California Measurement Association sponsored an exhibit and short course. Back in the late 1990s the event died a quiet death. The Los Angeles Section recognized a need for training opportunities and a small exhibition, so they started “Tech Nite.” The rules of engagement were that exhibiting vendors had to have something “hands-on” for the technicians to do and no ties were allowed. This was a small event—one evening, about 20 exhibitors, and a few hours of technical presentations—but, the baby has grown and Instrumentation is now a full day of technical courses covering a wide variety of subjects, important today. The exhibit had something like 75 participants and the foot traffic was busy. They even had a couple Universities on site with remote controlled vehicles on display wowing the attendees with their capabilities.
There are many events like this that occur around the world. Good technical presentations and educational events happen daily. The Society at the global level recognizes this and thanks all the volunteers that make these events happen. The Society does not want to sacrifice sections in our endeavor to increase awareness and esteem of the Automation profession, but if we are to succeed in providing the one thing members ask of the Society—recognition of the profession—then we have to look outward. Walt Boyes of Control said it best when he pointed out that we have to stop looking at the profession from our “insider” perspective and see it from an “external” view. While we work on gaining recognition for the profession at the Society level, we have faith that our section leaders will continue to represent the face of ISA at the local level in ways that their members desire. The Society will continue to pump out technical information and work on advocating for the profession to the outside world. By working together, we will all succeed.
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4:47 PM
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