Spring Ramblings
As ISA President, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to visit a number of different Society functions. Springtime for me means traveling to meet with Members and leaders in all parts of the world to discuss ISA. One of the major responsibilities of your Executive Committee is attending these various events to provide an ISA Update. Included in these events are Section meetings, District Leadership Conferences, and Division Symposia.
These visits serve to reinforce my overall admiration for what we do as an association. We come together at the local, regional, national, and international level to enjoy each other’s company and to discuss ISA and the automation profession.
I would like to reflect on three separate events I attended this spring (so far).
In early April, I took Interstate 70 West from Terre Haute, Indiana, to St. Louis, Missouri. The St. Louis Section was conducting their regular monthly meeting, and they requested my attendance to meet and speak on everything ISA. After a fine dinner and brief business meeting, the Members present listened to my speech on the progress of ISA. For those of you who know me, I just love to speak to Members at the “grassroots” level of our Society. We sometimes forget that much of what we gain in knowledge and fellowship starts at the Section level. I sincerely believe that the Members in attendance were quite excited to hear about or efforts in workforce development, standards, training, ISA EXPO, and certification. I left St. Louis with a very good feeling about our beloved Society.
The next weekend I traveled to Wisconsin Dells for the District 6 DLC. As full disclosure, I am, and have always been, involved with District 6, so if my bias shows, please forgive me. The District Leadership Conference (DLC) brings leaders from all over a District to one place for training and fellowship. The Saturday session usually includes presentations on running a Section, budgets, newsletters, etc. District 6 provided training for attendees with online methods. Paul Gruhn completed a live, on camera lecture on “Effective Presentations.” He was able to do this from his home in Texas. I would have to say that this was very well received by the attendees.
Now, my bias will show. District 6 has for many years focused on student activities at their DLC. I remember back 15 years when the ISADES scholarship program for high school students was in operation. The scholarship awards were made at the spring DLC. Then the SWEEP 6 program for District Student Sections was developed. This event includes a practical and bowl competition. This year, the number of students and faculty advisors in attendance was over 80. The folks in District 6 are continuing this student support tradition with much success.
For my third trek in April, I was able to attend the Analysis Division Symposium in Houston, Texas. The ISA Divisions form the major technical areas of focus for the Society. Over the years, I have always been aware of the Analysis Division because of the numerous awards that they receive from ISA. After attending the AD Symposium, it became clear to me that these folks are highly effective in what they do, both in running a division and in serving their membership. I attended a number of sessions on analysis during the event. It has been many years since I have taken a course in analysis systems, so much of the discussions were not familiar to me. But I am confident about two things: One, the Analysis Division is made up of some very knowledgeable individuals who are leaders in their field. Two, the Analysis Division leadership knows who they are and where they want to go in the future. Put me down as one impressed Society leader.
During the symposium, a very touching and emotional memorial to one of the Analysis Divisions leaders was conducted. Ken Konrad passed earlier this year. Ken was a very active, effective, and beloved leader within the Division. He was also present at many national ISA events. Jerry Clemons and Dale Merriman led a very emotional and dignified memorial to Ken’s life. The family of Ken Konrad attended the memorial, and they were very appreciative and quite touched by the remembrance of their husband and father. I was fortunate to have met Ken a few times over the years. He will be missed, but always remembered.
That is a brief tour of my April activities and my thoughts about three areas of our Society. The month of May will be an equally busy month. I hope our paths cross and we will have the opportunity to talk about ISA.
Hope to see you in Indianapolis during the Summer Leaders Meeting this June.
Jerry Cockrell
These visits serve to reinforce my overall admiration for what we do as an association. We come together at the local, regional, national, and international level to enjoy each other’s company and to discuss ISA and the automation profession.
I would like to reflect on three separate events I attended this spring (so far).
In early April, I took Interstate 70 West from Terre Haute, Indiana, to St. Louis, Missouri. The St. Louis Section was conducting their regular monthly meeting, and they requested my attendance to meet and speak on everything ISA. After a fine dinner and brief business meeting, the Members present listened to my speech on the progress of ISA. For those of you who know me, I just love to speak to Members at the “grassroots” level of our Society. We sometimes forget that much of what we gain in knowledge and fellowship starts at the Section level. I sincerely believe that the Members in attendance were quite excited to hear about or efforts in workforce development, standards, training, ISA EXPO, and certification. I left St. Louis with a very good feeling about our beloved Society.
The next weekend I traveled to Wisconsin Dells for the District 6 DLC. As full disclosure, I am, and have always been, involved with District 6, so if my bias shows, please forgive me. The District Leadership Conference (DLC) brings leaders from all over a District to one place for training and fellowship. The Saturday session usually includes presentations on running a Section, budgets, newsletters, etc. District 6 provided training for attendees with online methods. Paul Gruhn completed a live, on camera lecture on “Effective Presentations.” He was able to do this from his home in Texas. I would have to say that this was very well received by the attendees.
Now, my bias will show. District 6 has for many years focused on student activities at their DLC. I remember back 15 years when the ISADES scholarship program for high school students was in operation. The scholarship awards were made at the spring DLC. Then the SWEEP 6 program for District Student Sections was developed. This event includes a practical and bowl competition. This year, the number of students and faculty advisors in attendance was over 80. The folks in District 6 are continuing this student support tradition with much success.
For my third trek in April, I was able to attend the Analysis Division Symposium in Houston, Texas. The ISA Divisions form the major technical areas of focus for the Society. Over the years, I have always been aware of the Analysis Division because of the numerous awards that they receive from ISA. After attending the AD Symposium, it became clear to me that these folks are highly effective in what they do, both in running a division and in serving their membership. I attended a number of sessions on analysis during the event. It has been many years since I have taken a course in analysis systems, so much of the discussions were not familiar to me. But I am confident about two things: One, the Analysis Division is made up of some very knowledgeable individuals who are leaders in their field. Two, the Analysis Division leadership knows who they are and where they want to go in the future. Put me down as one impressed Society leader.
During the symposium, a very touching and emotional memorial to one of the Analysis Divisions leaders was conducted. Ken Konrad passed earlier this year. Ken was a very active, effective, and beloved leader within the Division. He was also present at many national ISA events. Jerry Clemons and Dale Merriman led a very emotional and dignified memorial to Ken’s life. The family of Ken Konrad attended the memorial, and they were very appreciative and quite touched by the remembrance of their husband and father. I was fortunate to have met Ken a few times over the years. He will be missed, but always remembered.
That is a brief tour of my April activities and my thoughts about three areas of our Society. The month of May will be an equally busy month. I hope our paths cross and we will have the opportunity to talk about ISA.
Hope to see you in Indianapolis during the Summer Leaders Meeting this June.
Jerry Cockrell
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