January
Its been a while since my last update but life goes on and we all have a day job to do.
Another year has been and gone and here we go again. Already this year the Regional Officers have met at Rugby and been briefed some changes that we would like to see at all Technical seminars going forward. I’m sure the regional committees will all be briefed at their next meetings. In a nutshell ALL Regional Officers that is to say Councillors, RTLO’s and RMO’s are expected to stand up and deliver a short update on what is happening in the area of representation. The Executive Board and VP’s are now also going to be a lot more visible at Regional seminars to ensure our messages are being delivered as expected and tasked. Indeed I myself recently attended the London and South East Committee meeting and also the HEN on the Road Exhibition. My congratulations to Eddie Henry for another great session and some absolutely fantastic, young, first time speakers my congratulations to them all for talking about their journey into lighting or not as the case maybe. I feel that these young students are such an important group of people that we need to make more efforts to engage with them and bring them into our industry. The three speakers on the day are clearly talented and enthusiastic, we need more like them to replace us old codgers who have been here for years.
It is also my pleasure to welcome Jo Harding to the team, Jo is a professional marketing consultant with over 20 years of experience within lighting. Jo will be addressing a number of issues that have been raised by members in the past with regards to how we market ourselves to those who are aware and more importantly those who are not aware of the great work we do as an Institution. Jo will be responsible for all our strategic marketing needs and internal/external communication. Jo has been contracted for 12 months and will initially be assisting us for two days a month, however, this can be increased at anytime should the need arise, in order to deliver the services we require.
So what’s on the horizon for the next few months.
The Executive Board and VP’s will be holding a workshop to discuss business plans and objectives for 2014, along with a review of VP performance for 2013.
The website has been updated with useful documentation login to the members area (MYILP) go to Useful documents you will now find
· Byelaws, Regional Rules
· Code of Professional Conduct
· Articles of Association
· Business Case Template
· Guidelines for Regional Operations
· Regional Constitution and Rules
The Grid is also now live Elizabeth Thomas BSc(Eng) CEng MILP, ILP Vice President for Highways & Infrastructure, commends THE GRID: It’s an amazing resource. The ILP is all about bringing people together to share knowledge and help each other to provide better lighting. There are unique challenges facing those of us in highways and infrastructure lighting, and THE GRID is an invitation to all my public lighting colleagues to support one another in a friendly and supportive environment”. Why not go and take a look, contribute and assist Elizabeth.
Further existing Technical Reports and PLG’s will be available for free download in the very near future so keep an eye out.
Lightschool at the Surface Design Show on 4 – 6 February 2014, London. Launched in October in conjunction with the Institution of Lighting Professionals and the industry’s creative agency, Light Collective, Light School will be looking to educate architects and interior designers in lighting design and lighting products. For more information visit www.light-school.co.uk. It’s free to attend so please register and take a look.
The next intake of students will commence their Exterior Lighting Diplomas on 17th February so good luck to you all. I hope to attend during the week to personally meet you all and offer some encouragement!
The Western Region have there Past Chairman’s dinner and the Scottish Region have their Dinner Dance at Airth Castle. I wish both events great success.
The YLP have a Committee meeting with the new Chair Fiona Horgan and a Technical day @ NAL.
The IALD have a Gas Light Street Tour of Westminster on the 6th Feb 2014.
A guided tour of the historic gas London within Westminster, yes within London there still remains gas lit streets and the tour will take in some of the 306 within the City of Westminster. Your tour guides, from WSP-UK and Westminster City Council, will explain the history of the lighting within the street from the hand held torch to the candle and the development of gas from just a flame through to the latest 2012 developments recently implement by the Council to ensure that the lighting is as economical as possible. The tour will include some unique equipment such as the only operational sewer vent gas column and an original cannon column but will also look at local quirky facts and take you down some streets you might never know existed.
date + time : 6 February 2014 7.00 pm meeting 7.15 pm leaving
tour starts :St. Stephen’s Tavern, 10 bridge street, Westminster, London, SW1A 2JR
Thanks to our tour guides from Westminster City Council and WSP
My thanks must go to my employer Skanska (IS) for supporting me with the time required to fulfil the duties as your President. Without this full support it would be extremely difficult.
You can also now follow me @mjrugby1968Until next time
Mark
