22 IET Volunteers MEMBER NEWS Core Value Award winners We are delighted to have received so many high-quality nominations for our IET Volunteer Core Values Awards. Here we shine a spotlight on the winners of this first round of awards. INTEGRITY Alan Chater has the ability to get people working together for the benefit of others. Highly respected across the profession, he was “absolutely delighted” to win the Integrity Award. Alan started volunteering a few years after retiring, becoming a member of the South Yorkshire Local Network (SYLN) committee in February 2011 and serving as its Chair from 2012 to 2015. During his second year in office, Alan was instrumental in creating the LN South Yorkshire Joint Professional Engineering Institutions (PEI) committee. The PEI collaboration now includes five engineering institutions and regularly runs events, including debates attracting more than 120 engineers. In 2015 he was approached by a student seeking sponsorship for the Sheffield Engineering Leadership Academy’s annual two-day bootcamp. Alan said: “I recognised that this group of students had leadership qualities that would take them far in the world of work, so I persuaded IET Academic Partners to contribute towards the event.” That same year, Alan and the SYLN Secretary worked hard to support the existence of the SYLN Young Professionals Section. When asked why, he replied: “Because I know how valuable it is for young professionals to attend industry-related events and visits, and to get experience in running them.” The section has since gone from strength to strength and Alan was delighted to be invited to stay on as a committee member. Nominated by Yun- Hang Cho MIET, who said: “Alan is a great example of an IET volunteer and has inspired many young people to participate more in their field of engineering through the IET.” Alan Chater CEng FIET EXCELLENCE Retired engineer and former Council member Frank Lewis is the driving force behind the successful Project X, which promotes the IET and STEM careers to students aged between 10 and 12 in New Zealand. “The schools have cut back on STEM [science, technology, engineering and maths] subjects, so aren’t providing enough guidance on career opportunities in the technical arena,” he said. “Project X helps bridge that gap – so far it’s been experienced by more than 1,500 students.” Through Project X, students create a Christmas tree with flashing lights and a jingle. They learn how to assemble the electronic circuit using hand tools, then programme a micro controller to perform basic functions, including turning on LEDs and playing music. This hands-on activity teaches them about common electronic components and enables them to relate the science to everyday consumer electronics. As well as extensively promoting Project X and the IET, Frank has worked closely with schools liaison co-ordinators to make sure it reaches those students who will benefit most from the activity. He has engaged around 20 volunteers, including many from his local network, to help deliver the programme and has obtained sponsorship from a variety of engineering organisations. ProjectXisalreadyahugesuccess, butFrankisalwayslookingforways tomakeitevenbetter.Hesaid: “TheChristmastreedesignwasof courseveryseasonal,soIworked withourlocalelectronicssupplier andhisteamtodevelopanewrobot circuitdesignthatcanbeusedall yearround.” Nominated by Warren McLuckie CEng MIET, who said: “I nominated Frank for the award to recognise his dedication to promoting engineering, science and technology to the next generationofyoungKiwis[New Zealanders].Ifeelit’simportant to acknowledge those that put others before themselves; the world needs more volunteers like Frank Lewis!” Frank Lewis FIET Member News – November 2018 www.theiet.org/volunteers