We all know, one of the great strengths of the IET has always been the people who give their time to make it better. Across our communities, volunteers bring experience and, in many cases, a sense of unsurpassable enthusiasm that creates opportunities for others and helps keep the IET relevant, welcoming and connected.
Over the past few months, I’ve learnt about a group of volunteers who have been helping us think about the future of our Communities and Networks. What has been the most impressive, isn't just the quality of the ideas that emerged from the group, but the openness with which everyone approached the conversations. Individuals with different experiences and perspectives came together, challenged each other's thinking when needed, and remained focused on what will create the greatest value for members in the years ahead. As our profession continues to evolve, so too must the ways we connect with one another, and I know the team are taking all the feedback and ideas onboard to form their next steps.
My personal thank you
Most importantly, I'd like to offer my sincere thanks to everyone who took part. This work required quite a time commitment and thoughtful input, often alongside busy professional and personal lives, and I'm incredibly grateful for the contribution each of you has made. While much of this effort has taken place behind the scenes, it has laid foundations that will benefit members and volunteers across the IET for years to come.
A particular thank you to Richard, Anne, Prasanna, David G, Kennedy, Paul, Joshi, Keith, Nick, Yi Sheng, Vimal, Lalith, Rebecca, Dave, Morgan, Colin, David D, Bill, Churui, Lisa, Shefali, Jennifer, Olaf, Teck, Masaline, Ebrahim, Amirah, Gianni, Nemat and Margaret for sharing your expertise, challenging our thinking and helping shape the future of networks and networking within the IET.
I'm looking forward to sharing more about this work, and I’m really pleased that this connects to my wider aspirations as President, which will be shared very soon. No spoilers! Watch out for the opportunity to join us on 8 October at Savoy Place – I hope you'll be able to join me and once again, thank you.