contents - Illuminating Engineering Society

As I begin my term as the
regional vice-president for
the Midwest Region, I
would like to reflect on involvement
in the IESNA and what it
REGIONAL
VOICES
Kevin J. Flynn
Midwest
RVP
means to each of us, to our organization
and our profession. We
are constantly questioning our
time commitments. What is the
return on investment in those
time commitments
My goal in the next three years is
to get us all to understand the value
of the “IESNA Community,” and
what each of us will receive for
active participation in our society.
Let’s start with the definition of
volunteerism: the policy or practice
of offering one’s time or talent for
charitable, educational or other
worthwhile activities especially in
one’s community. In this case, the
community is the IESNA. We all
share a common interest in advancing
knowledge of the lighted environment
as a benefit to society. In
building a strong community, we
create a powerful mechanism for
cooperation and reliable interdependence
to promote the importance
of lighting.
Building a strong community
involves the participation of all
members in an active exchange of
ideas, and in working together to
create a shared vision. In this fastpaced
world, what better way for us
to stay on top of our profession and
continue our lifelong learning
process What better way to meet
new people, share new ideas and
create new friendships This
involvement can only lead to more
personal, professional and community
growth, and — in the process
— allow us to make a commitment
as a team that works together and
has some fun, too.
My immediate goals are to work
with the sections in the Midwest
Region to see how we can instill
the importance of volunteerism
and how local sections, regional
organizations, national officers
and the committees can work
together to create value in the
field of lighting.
I look forward in my next three
years to accomplishing these goals.
We need to think “outside the box,”
to come up with new ideas, new
means to communicate them, and
to increase perceived value. If we
can accomplish this, we can create
an organization that people will
want to be involved with because of
the prestige associated with being
a member of the IESNA.
I believe we are at a crossroads
in our Society. It is time to remember
the importance of being connected
with each other. The
IESNA’s diversified membership of
engineers, architects, designers,
educators, students, contractors,
distributors, utility personnel, manufacturers
and scientists is a strong
body. It can become the voice for
expressing the importance of lighting
in our lives.
I encourage you to attend an
IESNA event (chapter meeting,
regional meeting, national conference);
become active in your section
(board member, officer, committee
member); or just volunteer
some of your time to promote the
value of good lighting design within
your community.
I look forward to meeting more of
the membership and to working not
only with my region, but with all
members to create a new, energized
spirit within the IESNA and
our community.
“Remember passion demands
ENTHUSIASM!”
—Tom Peters
“I have no pride. I’ll do anything
that’s necessary to get people
involved. I am a dispenser of
enthusiasm.”
—Benjamin Zandler
Conductor, Boston Philharmonic
www.iesna.org