The Institute Explored
Vice President John T O'Shea starts a series of articles giving an overview of the Institute.

In a number of articles over the next few editions of this journal, I hope to set out a type of 'who's who' overview of the Institute, to describe its extensive structure and publicise some of its administrative procedures and protocols. By doing so, I hope to encourage other members to become more active within the Institute and promote a better appreciation of what the Institute has to offer its members and supporting companies or Associations.

Within the British Isles, the Institute of Corrosion is one of the most active professional organisations in its field. It is a recognised premier force in the European and global corrosion scenes. Many members still refer to it by its old name, 'The Institution of Corrosion Science and Technology', but this name was superceded in 1993.

Corrosion affects most areas of industry and consequently the Institute has a membership with diverse backgrounds and disciplines from a wide spectrum of academic establishments, companies and professions. The Institute encourages active participation by its membership at the many conferences, seminars, workshops and exhibitions organised throughout the UK, often in association with other Institutes and Associations. The Institute is also very active on the education and training front, with many authorised courses and its own certification and approval schemes.

Nevertheless, the lifeblood of the Institute relies heavily on the activities and support provided by the members of its Engineering and Science Divisions, eight geographically based Branches, many Standing Committees and numerous other technical experts. For this first article I have set out some of the planned events of the Branches, together with the names of the Committee Members who work so liard for the success of their Branch and the Institute. All give their services graciously, for which I thank them on behalf of the Institute. Fuller details of Branch activities are given in the diary page at the back of this journal. • I would be delighted in hearing from anyone interested in forming a new Branch or reviving a dormant one. Please contact the Institute at the Leighton Buzzard address (Tel: 01525 851771) and I will he most happy to follow up all such enquiries.

John T O'Shea, Vice President