The Institute of Corrosion Explored : Part 4.

Membership and Awards

Life Insurance is a wonderful marketing platitude for Death Insurance. Likewise, the Institute of Corrosion’s objective is not to promote corrosion but rather the opposite. It encourages and publicises the awesome consequences of corrosion, the better understanding of corrosion and all advances to control or prevent it. The Institute achieves this by being a centre of excellence on corrosion related matters. It is the established National Authority on corrosion and encourages world-wide academic research and interest in this subject. It also stimulates commercial and industrial knowledge and product developments. The Institute’s primary aim is service to its members and it does this by providing valued fellowship backed by professional recognition and status for individual members.

Corrosion affects all aspects of science and engineering and various types of membership have evolved to meet the needs of a wide spectrum of individuals who have an interest in corrosion science, engineering or technology.

Member (Non-Corporate or Associate)

A basic entrance grade was set up to meet the requirements of such a diverse society. The original procedure was simplified to make the process straight-forward and rapid. There are two different routes.

Individual Membership

A simple application form must be completed by the individual but without the need of sponsors or references. This is vetted by the Professional Accreditation Committee (PAC) and providing the applicant is seen to be of good character and standing, membership is granted. This process takes about seven days to complete but does not entitle the individual to use the abbreviated initials after their name. Where the applicant is seen to possibly meet the more stringent requirements of a professional grade, action is taken by the Membership Services Sections at Head Office, to make contact at a later date and discuss the upgrading procedure.

Company Membership

The Institute has grown to be a main focus for companies specialising in corrosion control. These again cover a vast range of activities and products, but typically include Paint Manufacturers, Coating Producers and Applicators, Cathodic Protection / Pipeline Industry and Consulting Companies. To encourage this trend a Sustaining Company Membership category was created. This has been a great success, with many companies supplying financial and active support to the Institute. In return he company is offered increased exposure and prestige with free individual membership offered for nominated company representatives, subject to the standard conditions. These representatives enjoy the full privileges as individual members and they are eligible in the normal way to apply for upgrading to Professional Status in their own right.

One other form of support by industry has been the special partnership built up at Branch level. Here companies have been generous by financially supporting the Branch evenings and activities which create enjoyable and educational occasions with considerable networking benefits. To encourage and expand this important local relationship which underpins the success of a branch, discussions and consultations are in progress on ways to provide the benefit of Sustaining Membership to interested companies who are Branch Supporters.

Student Membership

In keeping with all Professional bodies the Institute is keen to encourage younger members to use its resources and develop closer links. The Institute is well established within the British University system where the students’ annual membership subscription rate of only £10 is generally appreciated.

Professional Membership

There are three grades of Professional Membership open to application which confer full rights including the use of the appropriate initials. All of these require a detailed transfer form to be completed supported by two Sponsors to whom the applicant is well known, together with adequate relevant documentation. All such submissions are dealt with strictly in accordance with the by-laws of the Institute and take up of all references. Consequently this process can take up to three months to complete, although new administration procedures should help to reduce this delay.

In spite of considerable efforts over a number of years, the Institute is not yet able to offer registration of its members as Chartered, Incorporated, or Technician Engineers with the Engineering Council. Recent and on-going discussions with a sister Institute may change this. Consideration is being given to allow a representative of our Institute to sit on their examining boards when considering an applicant from our Institute, whose background or specialist knowledge is corrosion related. The Engineering Council is keen to promote this alternative route among related Institutes, but we are still at early stages of discussion and negotiations.

Technician (Tech ICorr)

In response to success in their Institute’s certification and training courses for specialist Inspectors this category was re-introduced with a choice of four different routes available to cater for individuals with different backgrounds and knowledge.

Professional Membership of the Institute of Corrosion is now widely recognised and highly regarded in the Middle and Far East. Tech ICorr is becoming commonly specified as a job requirement, either replacing or in addition to, the Inspectors’ Certificate in various construction and maintenance related appointments, especially in the gas and oil industry.

Professional Member (MICorr)

For acceptance at this grade the applicant must demonstrate a specified level of training, competence and education in a corrosion related field and must be over 25 years of age. Full details including alternative criteria for mature applicants are available from Head Office.

Fellow (FICorr)

A Fellow shall be at least 35 years old and have a mature and established reputation in corrosion or has made a substantial contribution in this field. Again fuller details are available from Head Office.

Awards

The Institute takes great pleasure in recognising and thanking individuals for their service to the Institute and the corrosion scene at large. Over the years, with support of various trust funds and legacies, a range of awards have been instituted.

UR Evans Award

This was first awarded in 1976 and is made for outstanding International Achievements in pure or applied corrosion science. This award of a mounted sword on an engraved wooden plaque is proposed annually by a CSD panel under chairmanship of Dr J Brunnel-Grey. The 1999 recipient was Professor Jose R Galvele from CNEA, Argentina.

T.P Hoar Prize

Dr. Hoar was the first recipient of the U R Evans Award and the prize in his memory of £300 is awarded by a sub-committee of CSD chaired by Dr. D Mills for the best paper published each year in Corrosion Science.

Lionel Shrier Awards

Dr. Shrier was also a recipient of the U R Evans Award and two further awards have been created in his name. The first one for the ‘Young Corrosion Engineer of the Year’ was recently awarded to Elizabeth Hiller. The second award is made for Industrial Engineering.

H G Cole Award

This presentation is in the form of a poniard (Type of dagger) for outstanding services to the Institute. Dr Charles Brooker was the first recipient in recognition of his many years service as Councillor and Officer of the Institute.

The Galloway Medal

This was created to encourage contribution from students.

Honorary Life Fellowships

These are awarded to acknowledge outstanding contributions to the Institute over many years. David Deacon of the Steel Protection Consultancy is among those who have received this honour as a public and positive way to recognise the tremendous services given to the Institute. Other life memberships include Peter Cross who was Treasurer of the London Branch for over ten years and of course we must not forget our own Advisory Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Sir Peter Allender Bt. Kt. KGC.

On membership matters in general, I am very pleased to report that the recent membership drive has been very successful. It is amazing how many of our colleagues and friends are just waiting to be invited to join. Please contact Head Office if you require some more application forms.

The annual subscriptions will shortly be due. There has not been an increase in the rates and it makes for a considerable reduction in administration time and cost when prompt payment by members is made. Please could I encourage you to deal with your subscription renewal as soon as you receive it.

John T. O’Shea, Vice President.