To join something simply for the pleasure and privilege of stating “I belong” is a very positive and good thing.
Belonging to something that is worthwhile is always commendable, be that a club, association or (as in our own case) an institute. However, there is also room for another kind of attitude, namely: The “I am a part of” attitude, that encourages certain people to make valuable contributions regarding their time and effort, towards supporting what they already “belong to”.
Of course, there is room for each of these attitudes, and each are equally valid and welcome by the institute. For the vast majority of people, simply belonging to something that does good work and enhances their professional standing is enough, but I would like for all our members to recognise and understand that this is “your” institute, and that is is “you” our members and students that make the IMAS what it is.
Therefore, if you feel that you would like to get more invloved in what we do, then please do! Perhaps the first and most important way of doing this would be by submitting something for consideration of inclusion in your quarterly journal, the IQ. This could be a piece of relevant news, a letter to the editor or even an article!
If you feel you would like to contribute something, whether you are and associate, member or fellow, student or faculty, then please get it to us as soon as you can and we will do our best to help you get your item published.
As regards faculty: May I take this opportunity to remind professors once again that it is part of the duty of faculty members to publish at least two research papers a year, at least one of which must be published in the IQ?
This is an extremely important part of retaining your position on the faculty, and is by no means difficult or unreasonable. Some faculty members have already made excellent contributions, but others, as yet, have not. Please ensure you fulfil this requirement and get your material to me as soon as you possibly can. I dont think I can make it any clearer than that.
I look forward to receiving your material for review very soon.
Jaimie