How long am I expected to be in the role of Organisational Champion?
It is totally your choice. There are no set time limits – you need to be comfortable in the role and can stay as an Organisational Champion for as long as you wish.
What if other engineers in my Council want to become an Organisational Champion? Are the numbers limited in each Council?
No. In fact, in larger Councils, it would be good to have more than one Organisational Champion, to share the workload, and to cover various functions and sites.
How much time am I expected to commit each week?
It is anticipated you will spend from 30 minutes to an hour per week, on average, in your role as Organisational Champion.
How much total time is involved?
There will be 4 hours of training, up to 1 hour per week, and attendance at the ‘Champions’ Lunch’ at IPWEA State Conference. Some periods more involvement will be required and there will be times where minimal or no involvement as an Organisational Champion is required.
I have not been with my Council (or IPWEA) for long. Is the role of Organisational Champion better suited to a more senior engineer?
No. Key attributes required are enthusiasm and the desire to be successful in your role and the commitment to be a successful Organisational Champion.
What if I no longer wish to be an Organisational Champion?
You can cease your role whenever you choose. It would be most appreciated if, before you leave the role (eg if you are transferring to another Council), you could identify a potential replacement Organisational Champion and assist us by inducting them in the role.
What about negative response from people senior to me?
This will be a rare occurrence. However, feel free to refer to senior people in your Regional Group or IPWEA who will be able to speak to the person concerned.
Some people will say that IPWEA is similar to their union.
There are similarities, however, IPWEA provides education, networking and there are benefits of membership to member and their employer. IPWEA is also a lobbying group which represents its member interests with government and industry.
Also, IPWEA is not an industrial organisation and has no industrial relation’s role or jurisdiction.
How do we engage Senior Management if they are not IPWEA affiliated or supporters?
Refer to senior IPWEA members Regional Group, Chairs and Secretaries of IPWEA State Corporation and use as a starting position to ask the Senior Manager to become a Member or a Corporate Member.
What if I am away or have work commitments for a month or so?
It is understood that full commitment is not always achievable – your Regional Group Chair or Secretary may be able to arrange assistance, if necessary.
How will I be expected to communicate: phone, email etc?
Use any preferred means, however, face to face is most effective.
A person is a member of the Institute of Engineers, why should they join IPWEA?
IPWEA has close links with the Institute of Engineers, however, IPWEA represents Public Works Engineers far more effectively (refer to Benefits of Membership and Areas of Professional/Personal Interest on the application form).
‘What’s in it for me’, if a person joins IPWEA?
Refer to Benefits of Membership and take the person through Areas of Professional/Personal Interest on the IPWEA application form.