Chairman's Introduction

Dear Colleagues,

It is again my pleasure to write a brief introduction to the year ahead for the thriving IET Local Network in Surrey and our 2008-09 events programme.

A very successful year

I believe that our 2007/8 season was a very successful one. We ran 15 major events, and the Christmas Lecture was so popular that we had two sittings, both attracting audiences of around 400. We also turned the Debate Evening into a much larger event, with an audience of over 200 attending the discussion on “The dilemma of privacy and surveillance”, a topic which is so topical, we may rerun it.

We hope to continue this trend in the coming season.

We took 1413 bookings out of an available 1550 seats, and achieved an attendance ratio of 92%. The most popular events are the regular technical meetings, the challenge being to select appropriate subjects, and then to achieve the correct balance in the technical level. We cannot satisfy all tastes, but the feedback has been most encouraging, and many cases, complimentary.

It is good to note that we have now found a venue, the Lakeside Restaurant at the University of Surrey which is just about the right size for our events (although we have had two sell outs!), and where the catering is excellent. Let us hope that in these days of strict budget control, we can continue to afford it. I personally would prefer to impose a small charge per meeting, rather than lower our standards.

How can we better it?

We welcome suggestions, and an innovation is the suggestions section on the web site. Please use it and give us your ideas for new subjects and events, in addition to making your feedback on events in the usual way.

The innovations which I highlighted last year are now in use and we are planning this year to hold recruiting events, and more career oriented events, in addition to the technical programme.

IET Surrey Information Line

In addition, I am delighted to confirm that the IET Surrey Information Line, on 084500 43356, will continue for a further year, thanks to the support of NETmc. This was another of our innovations introduced last year that has also proved popular with those on the move seeking our latest event information in a recorded form.

IET Connect

I also make no apologies for bringing to your attention once again, IET Connect. This is much more than a benevolent fund, and the majority of its activities are now centred around giving advice to members: a useful facility in these uncertain times.

Finally may I thank your for your support during the past year, and encourage you to introduce new people to our programme.

Malcolm Dudson Chairman – IET Surrey

September 2008