S A I R A C

SAIRC
The South African Institute of Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning

Piet Le Roux has been elected to the position of President of SAIRAC for the years 2008/2009.

NATIONAL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – 29th AUGUST 2007

SYNOPSIS OF PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

1. INTRODUCTION

As we enter a new operational year, we need to analyze our current situation and set objectives for what we wish to achieve over the 10 month period ahead of us.

The automotive pioneer Henry Ford once said: “Any organization behaves like a wheelbarrow: if you do not push it, it goes nowhere.” We therefore need to be pro-active in setting our objectives to ensure that we are heading in the right direction.

In order to do so, we need to consider all the elements that have an effect on our objectives and the strategies and tactics that flow from them.

These elements include:

· Our purpose

· Our vision

· Our mission

· The industry we serve

2. THE PURPOSE OF SAIRAC

2.1. Paragraph 3 of the Constitution and Rules of SAIRAC describes the 8 objectives of the Institute.

These constitutional objectives are as follows:

· To advance and protect the arts and sciences of refrigeration, air conditioning and the allied arts and sciences.

· To encourage scientific research and the study of principles and methods in the fields of refrigeration, air conditioning and the related arts and sciences

· To promote the unrestricted dissemination of knowledge and information amongst members by the holding of meetings, the publication of papers and other appropriate means.

· To assist in educational activities (not including the conduct of any school or institution of learning) and to encourage the adoption and maintenance of high standards of instruction and technical and professional training in the fields of refrigeration, air conditioning and the allied arts and sciences.

· To co-operate with Governmental agencies, and with universities, colleges, schools and other organisations and groups having the same or similar objectives and purposes

· To procure and maintain the recognition of the professional status of air conditioning and refrigeration engineers.

· To assist in the formation of regional centres and to regulate, operate and control these under the direction and the pleasure of the Institute

· To do all things necessary or proper in connection with, or incidental to, any of the foregoing.

2.2. A condensed summary of the 8 constitutional objectives of the Institute reads as follows

i. To generate and manage information related to the Industry.

ii. To share knowledge and experience related to the Industry.

iii. To promote professionalism within the Industry.

This condensed summary could be regarded as the generic purpose of SAIRAC. The keywords: generate and manage, information, knowledge, experience and professionalism characterize our purpose.

3. OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE

We need to be realistic in our visions for the future. However, we wish to suggest that a higher degree of professional input will be required to improve our relevance and provide growth.

We cannot rely on members to run all facets of the Institute in their honorary capacities. We will have to rely on people to perform certain functions professionally.

These functions includes administration and education.

4. OUR MISSION

In order to formulate our mission, we need to answer the questions: Why, how and where should SAIRAC pursue its purpose?

4.1. WHY should SAIRAC pursue its purpose

4.1.1. The reason why we pursue our purpose is to ensure:

· The health, safety and comfort of people by means of environmental control measures.

· The preservation of perishables by means of environmental control.

· The protection of the environment by means of environmental control.

4.1.2. If SAIRAC had a profit motive, it would have been another reason why we should pursue our purpose.

SAIRAC does not have a profit motive. Revenue from membership fees, as well as additional sources of income, is applied to offer services to our members.

4.2. HOW should SAIRAC pursue its purpose

4.2.1. By the creation of a culture of learning and improvement. This will be achieved by:

· The recognition of the achievements of learners in the Industry

· The recognition of the achievements of students at tertiary educational institutions.

· The recognition of the achievements of our members, in their career and professional capacities, in the Industry.

4.2.2. By the encouragement of continuous career development, and growth, by means of organizing and generating the following:

· Technical meetings

· Enrichment courses/Edutainment

· SAIRAC will not compete with service providers or educational institutions

· Site/plant visits

· Articles published in the industry media

· Conferences/Symposia

· Affiliation with other Institutions/Societies

· Exhibitions

4.3. WHERE should SAIRAC pursue its purpose?

SAIRAC is currently active in the following centres:

· Cape Town

· Durban

· East London

· Johannesburg

· Port Elizabeth

5. THE INDUSTRY WE SERVE

The industry served by SAIRAC manages, develops (advances) and applies technology related to:

· The control of airflow

· The control of air quality

· Temperature control

· Humidity control

· Noise control

The activities of the Industry include indoor and outdoor environments.

The above elements can be collectively described as Environmental Control (ENCON).

We believe SAIRAC’s target market is this ENCON Industry in its entirety.

The approach to membership of the Institute is one of inclusivity. Anyone who is active in the industry, and qualifies for membership, is welcome to join the Institute.

6. OUR OBJECTIVES

Objectives should be tangible, measurable, realistically achievable and result in benefits to our members. Our activities should not only be driven by operational objectives, but also by strategic objectives.

Against the background provided, we propose the following objectives for the 2007/8 period. These objectives will have to be considered and accepted by the National Council of SAIRAC.

6.1. Operational objectives

a. To continue with the day to day operation of the Institute

b. To create long term continuity with regard to operational procedures.

6.2. Strategic objectives

a. To focus on the convening of regular technical meetings in all our centres.

b. To improve our education programme consisting of enrichment courses

At a National Council Meeting held on 15/2/2007 it was decided that the following educational material will be converted into electronic format

· Technikon RSA Airconditioning 3 course notes.

· Technikon RSA Refrigeration 3 course notes

The objective is to formulate a strategy to execute this decision

c. To recognize the achievement of individuals

The objective relates to the following categories of individuals:

· Recognition of the achievements of learners.

· Recognition of the achievements of students at tertiary educational institutions studying courses or subjects related to the ENCON Industry.

· Recognition of the achievements of members in their career and professional capacities in the ENCON Industry.

7. CONCLUSION

In order to realize the objectives listed above, strategies and tactics will be formulated and the process will managed by all the stakeholders.

As an Institute, it is not realistic to expect that we will all agree on all issues and activities. We believe that as an organization there will be a mainstream of opinion, but there should be room for scrutiny and debate which will result in views and opinions either side of the mainstream. However, the intention of all stakeholders should be aligned with our agreed objectives and remain constructive at all times.

Piet le Roux

SAIRAC President 2007/8