The President Writes.
Going Forward With Pride
Those of you who are involved in producing your own version of a “Corporate Newsletter” realise simultaneously how important a venture these are, but also often how demanding they are to get right. For those who have never tried then perhaps you should have a go.

For example, this editorial article is typically about 600-900 words long and I have to write it once every 2 months. OK, then, that’s only about 10-15 words a day, easy-peasy! However it’s not as easy as you might think! First a theme (or hook) has to be identified. Then a line has to be spun. Finally, the reader has to be reeled in to maintain their interest – for example, perhaps you’re asking right now where this article is heading? I know I certainly am!

Quo Vadis then for the Institute, for CM and particularly for this Editorial?

I can say that the Institute is generally developing strongly right now with ICATS being a main driver and one that will get our name out there more in lights. I can also report that we have approved the formation of two new Branches: one in Ireland (Cork) with Sean Quinlan and Terry O’Farrell in charge and the other in South Wales with Peter Morgan presiding, ably assisted by Philip Powell and Nick Frowen. I hope that with these two new areas covered, we can generate new recruitment. To further this aim, Council recently agreed to waive the application (administration) fee for any new members joining (or re-joining after a period of absence) for members registering through either of these branches for a period of 1 year. Membership is, of course, always a concern with the reduction in the number of young people entering science and engineering and none of us are getting any younger of course. Nevertheless, the initiatives around the Sustaining Membership scheme have been very successful and will continue to be developed and provide key underpinning for the Institute.

Given the need to maintain and increase membership, we need to use Corrosion Management (CM) as the main flagship, persuader and communicator to our membership. Thus, in order to achieve this, CM needs to be of a high and consistent quality. I am, therefore, very pleased to say that the redesign brought in from 2006 has generally been met with praise from all sides. There were a few good suggestions for additional improvements after the first issue in January/February (the main one being that the title was too small) and we now hope that the majority of these have been addressed although any other comments are very welcome.

As everyone must have noticed, the last issue of Corrosion Management (CM) was themed to support and promote “ICATS”. This has been exceptionally well received and the benefits of putting all the resource behind one idea I think was demonstrated clearly by the improved range, quality and number of articles. It is intended, therefore, to develop a series of themes for future issues of CM, and to publicise these well in advance of publication. We are currently racking our brains for ideas right now so if any of you have any suggestions or hobby horses that you would like us to devote an issue to then please let us know at any time (preferably sooner rather than later). It is hoped that if these themes are publicised well in advance, then it will be easier to achieve high-quality, timely contributions in the form of Technical Articles as well as Institute, Branch and Company News, etc.

Although still keen to hear from you, we have already decided on the theme for the next issue of CM (July/August), and this will be devoted to publicising the benefits of being a member of ICorr, including Science Council registration and what also ICorr is doing behind the scenes for the “advancement of the understanding of the science, technology and engineering practice of corrosion control, and to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas thereon for the public benefit”, which are our charitable objectives. In this way, we intend to use this issue in recruitment over the subsequent year. Any and all contributions to the next issue are welcome. How has ICorr membership helped in your career, for example? Perhaps you have just become a Chartered Scientist through the Institute – how did you find the procedure?

So, the next issue of CM will be YOUR issue. Write in and we’ll publish your letter. Do you have a story to tell? Then let us know and we’ll publish it. Don’t be shy, we can offer advice and help on writing your story – it’ll be good to hear from you.

There you are, about 800 words and Editorial done – not so difficult after all! Have a nice read.

Stuart Lyon
Corrosion & Protection Centre,
The University of Manchester
stuart.lyon@manchester.ac.uk