September 2006

I should first say how much I regretted having to request from you all an (hopefully not demanding!) extra contribution due to our poor financial situation.  We always have had to leap from rock to rock to remain solvent and this year was rather more serious than most.

However the response was extremely good and I thank you all for the amount so generously donated towards the continued existence and work of IMIF.

Now we must look ahead.

After a series of most useful meetings with an ad hoc “Executive Committee” the following decisions have been taken:

  • To increase the full annual subscription to £1100 (up from £950 set in 1982) and to increase the “observer” level subscription from £475 to £575.  This will provide a realistic level of income sufficient to meet our basic expenditure which we have always been careful to keep to a minimum. 
     
  • To vigorously maintain our series of buffet luncheons, now in their 10th year which I am pleased to note seem to increase in popularity. 
     
  • To concentrate, as indeed we always have but more targeted, on the real problems which beset the industry and get a head of steam behind solving them (eg Safety – including piracy, Regulations particularly Governmental, confronting the “blame” society, considering the practical implications arising from the production of increasingly large container ships and cruise ships, etc etc).

I would like to re-establish and lead more visits by IMIF delegations, as was done regularly in yesteryear to such as the Far East, Piraeus and Brussels. We have always been well received and listened to. 

I also concede somewhat reluctantly to the fact that I am not immortal so am examining the longer-term future and possible succession.  I shall fixedly address this when I am 80 or before, but that is the better part of two years away.

A summary of possible and fixed future functions is attached plus the invoices for 2007 year.  Please pay these as soon as you can.  I would like to think that I do not need to justify IMIF to you.  Surely it has proved its unique position, status and worth over the years and I find it somewhat humiliating to have to beg my friends in the industries for your continued support……. but I think you understand.

With warm good wishes from a 30kg lighter and correspondingly handsome

Jim D