Members, Mentor a Member!

January 2009 was National Mentoring Month in the US. This yearly effort mobilizes volunteers to help young people reach their potential. Various programs are designed to help young people live productive lives.

The International Society of Automation has an opportunity to help the young and not-so-young people working in automation career fields, or those who want to learn more about our profession. We have a large network of individuals who are perfectly suited for the role of mentor. The numerous ISA Sections and Divisions could provide the right type of mentor for present and future automation professionals.

On a recent trip to Edmonton and Calgary in Canada, I was struck by the very positive relationship between student sections and regular section members. I witnessed a strong connection, and genuine concern, for the futures of all students entering into careers in automation. It was apparent to me that the good folks in these two sections have regular contact with their students. The ISA Members regularly provide advice, counsel, direction, and yes, positive role models for these young folks.

At the Section or Division level, you can contact a member of a nearby Student Section. Tell them what automation is really all about. Let them know how enjoyable your career has been. Take them to your job site and give them an opportunity to live the life of an automation professional for a day or two. Answer their questions. I guarantee that it will be rewarding--not only for the young person, but also for you, because it’s true that we “get what we give.”
Now, I want to talk about the automation professional that may be going through some hard times. We, as working ISA Members, have a professional responsibility to mentor our fellow members who are under some level of employment stress. The economic situation around the globe has left some of our automation colleagues without jobs. They may have been furloughed because of the present economic environment. Now is a perfect time to practice the concept of “association.” We are ISA Members for a number of personal reasons, including continuing education and training, publications, standards, etc. But more important than those things, we are part of a larger community. ISA is 30,000 strong.

If you know of a member who has recently been furloughed, give them a call and offer them your counsel. Help them through these rough times. Let them know that they have a network of support that is an email or phone call away. If you are an out of work ISA member, seek out your fellow members. I am confident that they will be more than willing to offer assistance. ISA will be setting up a webpage of resources specifically for people who find themselves unemployed in this difficult economic time.

On many occasions during my time in ISA, I have seen and felt the power of what it truly means to be part of an “association.” I have seen out of work members who attend a section meeting leave that event with a stack of business cards and a promise to talk to the member about employment possibilities.

Let’s have an association movement to help our fellow Members. Let’s call it “Member, Mentor A Member!” Reach out to those Members who are caught in the downturn of the world economy. Let them know that they have a friend in ISA. If you are a Member caught in this situation, do not hesitate to contact your fellow ISA Members, and check the website for resources that can help you. I have found over the years that the people that make up ISA are some of the most caring, sensitive, influential, and friendly people around. Together, we can all get through these uncertain times.

Visit ISA’s Resources for Unemployed and Underemployed Automation Professionals webpage.

-Jerry

Passion for Association

Your ISA leadership came together for a two-day training program at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park. These leaders donated their time and effort to gather and learn how to make this society even better in the coming years. They traveled from all over to attend this event. These people are remarkable. They gave of their time to participate in something good. They spent hours and hours listening to presentations, debating, and discussing the problems and issues that confront our society.

I want to report to all ISA Members that you should be proud of your society level leadership. These people are passionate about your association. To a person, they want a better ISA for everyone. Please just think about this for one minute. With time constraints pressuring each and every one of us, these leaders spent an entire weekend dealing with ISA business and information.

We spent time in our training sessions learning about those things that may affect the society now and in the future. We learned about the inner working of ISA starting at the organization chart. That diagram was one of the first things that caused me to join ISA in 1985. Back then the Member was the top level block of the chart. Well, guess what, the Member is still at the top. That alone says volumes about your society. We learned what it means to be a global society and how to operate in an ever changing world.

We touched on something that must be considered to entice the younger potential member, Web 2.0 and similar contemporary technology. We discovered that ISA should embrace this technology, to serve our membership, young and old.

I believe we all left RTP with a sense of purpose that will drive the Executive Board throughout 2009 and beyond. Each and every leader has a passion for ISA that motivates them to first become leaders, and second to strive to become better leaders.

I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with such a focused, effective, driven, and professional group of people. Through their efforts, and yours, our society will continue to be the association that is “Setting the Standard for Automation.”

-Jerry