As we reach the end of our 2013-14 programme and survey the blank canvas of 2014-15, I think it is worth asking why we do what we do.
Institutions thrive and depend on the contribution of their individual members and staff. Even IET volunteers do what we do because we are motivated by a possible benefit somewhere, whether professional, commercial, social, environmental or in any other area of importance to us. The real motivation lies at a very personal level for everyone.
Recently the IET has reawoken to the value of participation. The embodiment of this change is the IET's Continuing Professional Development system, which has been restarted after a gap of over a decade.
The chance to claim formal "points" for participation will remain optional, and they won’t be available for many of the Tribology Network’s activities. Considering that, I believe that the true value of the IET’s new CPD system is actually in what it symbolises.
By participation, I don't mean sitting through a committee meeting, nor delivering a monologue from a podium, nor even writing a post for a discussion forum. In fact, I don't mean participation in the sense of "getting involved" in the normal way that this phrase is normally used
Instead, I think that the IET is now paying due respect to the aspect of participation that is usually overlooked, despite the fact that it is the most widespread and delivers the greatest benefit to the greatest number of people.
Examples of what I mean by participation are coming to an evening or daytime event, watching a webcast, even reading a posting on this forum. I believe that these forms of participation, far from being passive, are actually worthy of some respect.
They require purposeful action, self-control, dedication and possibly even sacrifice. For that, they deserve recognition and respect. Formal recognition may come from collecting “points” but respect cannot be quantified so easily.
As an attendee at an event, a viewer of a webcast or a reader of a posting like this, you have earned moral credit, even if you can't score any points. You should now understand that you are in a position of power. Quite simply, we respect your opinion. By your participation, you have become an active stakeholder in this Network and you have earned the right to tell us, openly or privately, what you want us to do. We will listen, and we will try to do our best to generate benefit in the ways that matter to you. We do not ask you to do more than get in touch and tell us your expectations.
Why not ask what the IET Tribology Network can do for you?
Can we organise an event in your local area? Do you have a particular interest in tribology that we're not covering? Do you have an inspiring or controversial topic that we should write about for this forum? Do you work on something that you think the rest of the network members should know about? Could we produce some information on tribology in your first language?
If you have any ideas about what the IET Tribology Network can do for you, please send an email to tribology@theiet.org
