b'Member News March 2023 25VolunteersMeet our new Council MemberBen Obiri-Bonney CEng MIET joined IET Council and the Membership and Professional Development Board (MPDB) in October last year. Here we track his journey to governanceSubstation Planning andAdvise and monitor Inspire and inform Ben Obiri-BonneyPerformance Manager BenBens top tipwas inspired by his mentorBen was elected to Council inBen comes from at National Grid to becomeOctober 2022: As a Memberan underprivilegedWe asked Ben what an IET volunteer. Ben said:of Council, Im responsiblebackground and hasadvice he would give He was a Professionalfor advising the Board ofhad to overcome manyto other IET volunteers, Registration AdvisorTrustees on how to conductchallenges throughoutto help them get the (PRA) who consistentlyinternal affairs. And forhis life. Volunteering givesmost satisfaction out demonstrated a selflessmonitoring the governance ofhim a vital platform fromof their role. Heres commitment to helpingthe IET, to promote a culturewhich to share his personalwhat he told us.people (including me) developof continuous improvement. story and experiences.their career and achieve professional registration. Council Members alwaysI hope to inspire, inform join one of our three Mainand influence people whoBe open-minded The first IET volunteer roleBoards. Given Bens long- would love to embark onand treat Ben took on was in 2019, asstanding passion for thean engineering journey buteveryone equally National Grids IET Industryprofessional developmenthave no idea how to take Representative. A yearof his fellow engineersthe first step, he said. and with respect. later he became Chair ofand technicians, the MPDBTo make the world National Grids Professionalwas a natural choice. During my tenure, I intend Registration Group. Heto work collaborativelya better place also became a PRA andI started out as anwith the other membersto live and work, has so far supported moreengineering apprenticeof Council and the MPDBapply the IET core than 50 members to attainand now Im a Member ofto influence more under-various levels of professionalCouncil and the MPDB, so itrepresented groups,valuesIntegrity, registration with the IET.all feels a bit surreal, saidespecially children fromExcellence and In 2022 he took things toBen. Without a doubt, itsdiverse backgrounds, toTeamworkto the next level by becomingmy biggest achievement asconsider engineering and an IET volunteer so far. I amtechnology as a careereverything a member of the IET Registration Group, whichextremely grateful to Nationalchoice. you do.has operational responsibilityGrid, the IET and everyone for assessing professionalinvolved in giving me this registration applications. incredible opportunity. Read more about Ben at theiet.org/meet-our-volunteers'