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ISA District 12 VP 2009/2010 Dear District 12 Leaders and Section Presidents,
I want to thank all of you for the unfailing support you have given me in the last two years as I served as your DVP. I don't want to single anybody out for special attention but I need to mention some individuals in particular. My predecessor Alex Bobovich for his support and guidance and his work with the student sections, my successor Jean-Pierre, our Membership Chair Gianfranca Sanzeni, former D12 VP Billy Walsh for his advice, our Webmaster Eoin Ó Riain all deserve my thanks. My special thanks also need to go to the host sections of the DLCs held during my term. In 2009 The Netherlands Section hosted a very enjoyable and informative DLC Leiden and in 2010 the Italy Section hosted a very successful and informative event in conjunction with the BIAS Exhibition in Milan. Given that this was the first year of reduced DLC funding, this year's event in Italy was especially successful and points the way forward for future DLCs. Our staff contacts Dianna Noyes and Ken Hilgers did a great job throughout my two year term as did our former staff contact, Laura Crumpler, who retired in 2009. Thanks to all of you and to all of the volunteers in the sections throughout District 12, all of you contribute in a huge way to making ISA a success everywhere. I need to mention a couple of items before I sign off. First, Jean-Pierre is the main organiser of a conference to be held under the auspices of District 12 in September 2011. The event will take place in Brussels, Belgium, and will have the title of "Automation at the Service of a Low Carbon Economy." On the third day of the event we will hold our DLC. This promises to be a great conference and I urge all of you to get behind Jean-Pierre in assisting and supporting it. Secondly, each Section President will be receiving an e-mail from me over the coming holiday period detailing a survey of new and lapsed members which we are being asked to do for the Image and Membership Department of ISA. The e-mail will also contain a list of recent new and lapsed members of your section. This is very important as it will enable ISA to be able to determine why membership numbers might rise or fall in particular areas and to plan accordingly. The survey is online and is in English but if any of you wish, you can translate it into any other language which might suit your members and then input the answers later. I ask all of you to give this your attention when the mail arrives.
Finally, to those of us who will be celebrating over the next week or so, enjoy the celebrations. To those of us who will not be celebrating, enjoy life! The last couple of years have been particularly challenging for all of us so for 2011, I wish all of you a happy, successful and prosperous year.
Kevin
Kevin Dignam
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As you are all probably aware, my term as District 12 Vice President comes to an end on 31st December. The baton will be passed on to Jean-Pierre Hauet of the France Section who will take over from 1st January 2011. I am sure that you will all join me in wishing Jean-Pierre your very best wishes in his new role.