b'Member News March 2024 29Member updatesCouncil UpdateFrom Dr Stephen Pybus CEng FIETThe first meeting of Council during the 2023-2024 session was held in hybrid format on 5 October. This was the opportunity for those newly elected to Council to meet the existing members and the newly elected Chair, Mark Goudie CEng FIET. As a new member, this was my first meeting of Council, and provided the opportunity to observe and participate in this key aspect of IET governance. Key issues considered included the annual cycle of review of the IET Strategy; the Presidents focus for 2023-2024; and the establishment of a new Main Board to reflect our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).Council is engaged in the reviewThe underlying emphasis of sustainabilityrequired to ensure that this area remains of the key products or operationalthroughout the IETs strategy clearlyuppermost in the IETs thinking and areas which form part of the IETsshows that this aspect will continuefuture strategic plans and activities. strategy, to enable appropriateto form a cornerstone of the IETsAll Council members recognised challenge, support and prioritisation. strategic intents and future direction,the message that establishing this thereby showing our continuednew Board sendsnot just to the Areas that are being consideredcommitment to ensuring that thismembers of the IETbut also to include: remains a key factor in our future plans. wider society, and ensures that we Volunteer engagement andCouncil received the Presidents focuscontinue to support all those within experience, covering all aspectsfor the current session, with an excitingour engineering and technology of the volunteering experienceand inspirational vision on Engineeringcommunities who feel that their views and identifying where actionsand AI: the key to delivering a resilientand aspirations can be better heard. can be taken to support ourfuture, prioritised through developingMembers of this new Board will be existing volunteers and attractengineering frameworks for both datadrawn from the members of Council. new ones for the future. and AI, more valuable and visible Events, including thediversity and inclusion within AI, andCouncil has a busy year aheadthe opportunities for growth inthe IETs global impact. Council isIET faces many challenges, yet has corporate events, where thesefully engaged in these areas and willunique opportunities to address align with IET objectives. develop and prioritise its activitiesemerging issues where it can continue to fully support these aspects. to provide thought leadership in keyPractitioner markets, consideringareas. Members News will continue to the future needs of our coreCouncil discussed the establishment of aprovide updates on Council activities to markets and the possibilitiesnew Main Board to further and increaseensure that all members have oversight of identifying and offering newthe visibility of the IETs commitmentof Council business and how it operates products and services. to EDI, which had hitherto beenwithin the governance structure.Innovation, and how the IETsupported by a Working Party. This newcan support this in responseBoard will sit alongside the other threeAs always, please do not hesitate to to the needs of members andMain Boards and provide the Board ofget in touch: council@theiet.orgcustomers. Trustees and Council with the visibility'