We received a wide range of questions ranging from the impact of the pandemic, the role of special interest groups and changes to the way the Institution operates.
Last week’s event follows a Q&A in May with Terry Spall when he became President.
The Trustees taking part last week were Giles Hartill, Raymond Hodgkinson, Matt Garside, Vijay Raman and Phil Peel.
We look at the questions the Trustees were asked and their answers. The answers are collective responses rather than from an individual Trustee:
Q: If you could make one change for IMechE in the next year, what would it be and why?
Increase member engagement – easier said than done, but this must be at the heart of what we are about as a member organisation. We have such amazing talent amongst our members who are helping the world every day and we need to harness this potential more as we move forward.
Q: How is IMechE helping members adapt to changes we have seen over the last six months from COVID?
IMechE supports members through professional registration, running support webinars, and we have our Support Network providing advice, financial, emotional or practical support to members in need worldwide.
Q: Do you think our current 18 Special Interest Groups are right for today’s societal challenges?
It is essential that the Institution remains relevant to its members. Regular reviews by the Technical Strategy Board, of the roles that Special Interest Groups play is vitally important, whilst ensuring that we continue to appeal to current specialists in their field.
Q: How has COVID affected those who are working towards professional registration? Are interviews carried out online now?
COVID has affected the rate at which applications have been received and has no doubt been disruptive to those who are seeking professional registration. The Membership Department has been working hard to ensure that professional review interviews can be held virtually.
Q: Has COVID affected the long-term vision for IMechE – what are the main priorities?
COVID has changed how we operate tactically but not our long-term ambitions. Our priorities are developing engineers, promoting engineering, informing opinion and encouraging innovation. Financial stability, and good governance enable this. Members at the heart of everything we do!
Q: What are the roles of the Trustees?
Past President Tony Roche has prepared an excellent overview explaining the roles of a Trustee.
.Q: How do the Trustees ensure that education remains an important focus for the Institution?
Education activities understandably impacted by COVID, many conversations opened up about how engineering will be taught, with changing guidelines for schools and universities. We are actively reviewing guidance provided to universities and students with focus on skills and methods of teaching.
Q: How has COVID affected the finances of the Institution?
Substantially. We have been forced to shut down operations for extended periods and do not expect recovery to normal business over the remainder of 2020 in many areas. A significant total operational deficit for 2020 across all Institutional activities is to be expected.
Q: Do you envision the use of Teams or other online engagement tools to facilitate more regular Trustee meetings?
Use of Teams started Jan 2020. Since March, all Trustee meetings are totally online with Teams. This applies to all Committees Boards and Council. Nine normal yearly Trustee Board meetings and attend two Council. Over 20 Trustee Meetings 2019-20.
Q: Please could you provide us with a response to the paper sent from the European Committee to the International Strategy Board earlier this year?
There were many very good ideas in the strategy suggestions. Some, such as closer liaison with local organisations, are already happening, others need longer term actions and will be passed to Strategy Committee as well.
Q:Why have the final reports on both the IMechE Finance and Governance reviews not been published?
The reports have not been published because they contain confidential information. Summaries and recommendations from all three reports Governance, Finance and Code of Conduct) can be found on the website.
Q: To boost international membership, could Trustees consider adapting membership fees on a country basis to be more competitive?
We have seriously considered different subscription rates for different countries but as incomes vary in each country it is fairer to use reduced rates for lower incomes. We have agreed to raise the income bands this year, the membership team is available to discuss specific issues
Q: The pandemic has changed the way we have been working for the last six months. What changes do you think will remain permanent and how will this affect the way the IMechE works as an Institution in the longer term?
Clear move to virtual activities to address the COVID-19 social distancing restrictions; Teams call, on-line webinars, live-stream of our AGM. Aspects of remote working such as open dialogue and communications via digital platforms are expected to continue into the future. However, we know physical meetings are especially important to the Regions (UK and International) so it is unlikely that the Institution will shift completely to a virtual interface post-COVID.
Q: What are your ideas about what we might to do encourage people to vote in the Trustee Board and Council elections? Can they be in place for March 2021.
7% of electorate voted this year instead of 14. Trustees have asked Council to investigate why it was half the normal and suggest measures to be incorporated in May 2021.
Q: With the trend towards working from home, does this mean you are looking at the future for our Birdcage Walk HQ?
Yes, Trustees have set up a Real Estate Strategy Group to look at how best to utilise HQ in the future; such as how much space we require and how the space can be used. Our thanks go to staff who have adapted quickly to working from home and we continue to support their efforts.
Q: Is it possible to start gathering data on Awards, in terms of diversity/gender etc, and to publish this data?
Yes, we can start gathering data on diversity/gender, etc. for the Awards. My feeling is that we have a pretty good spread, and certainly many female awardees.
Q: The governance of the IMechE is not the most easy to understand. Could a series of articles be written for the PE magazine?
Simplifying and improving IMechE’s governance is a major focus for us right now. Many changes have already taken place with more to come. We intend to inform our members through various communication channels; the Nominations Committee article in the latest edition is a good example.
The Trustee Board governs and leads the Institution and is responsible for ensuring it abides by its Royal Charter, by-laws, and statutory regulations. Find out more about the Trustees and how you can get involved.
If you are interested to know more about the Trustee Board’s activities, we now publish a regular blog by President Terry Spall called “Inside Track”.