b'26 Member News November 2020VolunteersVolunteers innovate tosupport us during COVID-19The pandemic hasExtending our geographical reachdevastated lives,Dave Perton BSc MSc CEng MIET is the IET Project Controls Technical businesses and countriesNetwork (TN) Chair. He has been instrumental in producing a series of seven webinars designed to appeal to young professionals with an interest across the world. Here wein learning the basics of project controls. The first three webinars were look at how our volunteersstreamed live in February, April and June. have been adaptingDave said: The main1,921challenge during to change during thisCOVID-19 was having3 registrationsto set up and deliver the webinars remotely. unprecedented period. There was initially a lot ofwebinarsThis time last year, none of us knewnervousness among the651what was coming. The speed at whichDave Perton BSc MSccommittee members doing51 on-demand the presentations, but we the coronavirus spread around the globeCEng MIET, IET Projecthave found that webinarsviewstook us all by surprise. This unforgivingControls TN Chair offer a much better waycountriesdisease has caused significant loss ofto extend our geographical reachand thats482important because were a Technical Network.life and leaves a trail of heartbreak andJoanne Longton, IET Senior Community39 % live viewsshattered economies in its wake. Manager, said: Without Dave we would not Katherine Bunting, IET Headhave got these webinars off the ground. Theaged between of Volunteer Support, said:feedback we have received from our audience has been exceptional, with many appreciative21 and 40comments for our online offering.The scale of human tragedyFor more details, visit: theiet.org/impact-society/technical-webinarsthat unfolded during 2020 isRegistration advice onlinedifficult to comprehend. Yet amid all the gloom of thisDavid Blake IEng FIET has been a Professional Registration Advisor (PRA) since 2005. He said: Ive been having virtual meetings with candidates and find the global health crisis we haveZoom capability great for one-to-one sessions. seen many amazing examplesSometimes itIm getting through the same volume of volunteers finding new andtakes a while toof work as before, so I can see that effective ways to supportput candidatesthere will still be a place for virtual PRA at their ease andmeetings after COVID-19. However, I their fellow members. very occasionallydo miss the opportunity for candidates Ive received ato show me round their company!request for a voice only meeting,Lou Parfrey, Registration & Standards I would like to take this opportunityDavid Blake IEng FIET but on the whole,Support Unit Manager, said: COVID-19 to thank all our inspirational volunteersIve found thatcompletely changed how our Professional for their hard work, collaborationvideo calls work really well in my PRARegistration volunteers work and support and creativity in helping us torole. They also provide a good waythe IET. At short notice they all switched deliver our mission and values duringto engage with people who are onto online platforms, to continue supporting these unprecedented times. furlough or working from home. members during their registration journey.'