Membership MAtters - Issue 1: May 2024

Welcome to the first edition of our new online newsletter

Welcome to the first issue of MembershipMAtters, the new online newsletter for FIDIC members. Through this newsletter we will aim to keep you, our FIDIC members, updated on the latest developments and key issues so that you can get the most out of your FIDIC membership and also get more involved with our initiatives and activities. FIDIC wants to ensure that you are kept well informed and engaged on the issues that matter to you as members.

We also want to hear from you too, so please do reach out to us at FIDIC and let us know what you’d like to see us doing on your behalf and that also includes telling us when we don’t get it right. We’re not perfect, but together we can be better and we hope that MembershipMAtters will provide a vital and valuable link between FIDIC and its members all around the world.

We hope that you enjoy the first edition of the newsletter!

New FIDIC membership brochure launched

FIDIC has launched a new and updated membership brochure. We hope that the new publication will help to strengthen the link between FIDIC and its members by highlighting the latest services and value we offer. Over the past three months, FIDIC’s membership committee and directors’ and secretaries’ advisory council, in collaboration with the membership services and communications teams, have been working on a comprehensive update of our membership brochure. The result is a brand-new brochure, in a more visually appealing format offering an easier understanding and access to our wide range of services than ever before. It all adds up to yet another way for you to get the most out of your FIDIC membership!

Click here to download the new FIDIC membership brochure.

New strategic plan set to increase focus on membership

FIDIC’s new strategic plan for 2025-2029 is set to have an increased focus on membership and the role it plays at all levels of the organisation. Meeting in Rome in March, FIDIC board members discussed the new plan with our advisory council chairs and senior FIDIC staff in a series of practical workshop sessions. These sessions gave those present the chance to review past performance, the feedback we have received following the recent stakeholder survey on FIDIC’s strategic plans and consider the strategic direction for all FIDIC’s global activities for the next five years. What emerged from those discussions was that we needed a much keener focus on our members, what FIDIC does on their behalf and how we engage together for the benefit of the industry. This newsletter is part of that renewed focus, but we’ll be rolling out other initiatives over the coming months, so watch this space!

FIDIC reviews its subscription fee model

Following taking soundings from members and reviewing current custom and practice in the global membership association sector, FIDIC is undertaking a review of its membership subscription model. The aim of the review, which is being led by FIDIC’s Directors’ and Secretaries’ Advisory Council with a diverse MA membership as members of a task group, is to come up with a model that is more appropriate for the current needs of member associations of all sizes, whilst providing FIDIC with the financial resources that it needs to continue improving the range and scope of services it offers to members on a global scale. The review involves testing different model options and we will keep you updated on its progress.

Discounted training from FIDIC Academy

If you belong to a FIDIC member association or affiliate, you are eligible for a 15% discount on FIDIC Academy’s wide range of online live contracts training courses and on-demand courses. To obtain the discount code, all you need to do is email your proof of FIDIC membership or affiliate status to training@fidic.org and you will receive a code to enable you to book at the discounted rate. It’s yet another benefit of FIDIC membership that MAs can pass on to their member firms and it’s so simple to receive.

8-10 SEPTEMBER

Special members’ rates for FIDIC’s Global Infrastructure Conference

One of the highlights of the FIDIC year is our annual Global Infrastructure Conference that sees hundreds of industry professionals come together to discuss the important issues that matter to them, their companies and the international infrastructure sector. This year the 2024 conference returns to Geneva from 8-10 September and FIDIC members and their member firms can take advantage of special rates on tickets for the event. The exciting theme of the event, Transforming lives with infrastructure –Investing in and building a better world for all, is sure to attract another great turnout and you can be there in person at a discount courtesy of your FIDIC membership. You can book your place today on the link below!

Click here to book your place at the FIDIC Global Infrastructure Conference 2024.

Sponsorship referrals for GIC24 from MAs

FIDIC will pay a referral fee to MAs that refer their member firms to sponsor this year’s Global Infrastructure Conference. The payment, amounting to 30% of the agreed sponsorship agreed with the member firm, applies to MA member firms that have never sponsored a FIDIC event/activity, or haven’t since 2020 and is applicable to a minimum sponsorship fee of CHF10,000. For further information please contact FIDIC’s business development manager Ayo Fagbohun at afagbohun@fidic.org

Meet the Members

The first in a regular series where we meet leaders of FIDIC’s global member associations who answer questions on the key issues they face in their roles. First up are Chituwa Sinkala Chulu, CEO of the Association of Consulting Engineers of Zambia and Linda Darr, President and CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies.

click below to view the video interviews

Find out how FIDIC’s member associations make change happen

A best practice webinar, organised by FIDIC’s directors’ and secretaries’ advisory council, is set to highlight some of the successful and brilliant initiatives being undertaken by FIDIC’s global member associations which are making a positive difference to member firms in their local area and the wider industry. The free webinar, entitled How a collective industry voice makes change happen - Highlighting MA best practice and making a difference, will highlight some of the best practice success stories of FIDIC member associations and how these have benefited MA member firms and the industry in their country. The webinar will be useful for all FIDIC members regardless of size. Make sure you book your place today.

Click here to book a place at How a collective industry voice makes change happen - Highlighting MA best practice and making a difference.

Send

your suggestions for

speakers for this year’s Global Infrastructure Conference

FIDIC’s annual conference arrangements group (ACAG) and the communications and events team are currently finalising the speaker line-up for this conference. We welcome ideas from member associations on potential speakers from the industry in their countries. We are particularly looking for interesting and knowledgeable people from our industry who can speak authoritatively and with passion about the engineering and infrastructure sector. These could also be professionals from any sector that influences our industry. If you have any speaker suggestions, please email the details to FIDIC’s Director of Policy, External Affairs & Communications Graham Pontin at gpontin@fidic.org

New members wanted for FIDIC’s committees and councils

Many of FIDIC’s committees and councils are regularly on the lookout for new members to help in the important work they do. FIDIC has seven working committees, namely the Business Practice Leadership Committee, Contracts Committee, Digital Transformation Committee, Integrity Management Committee, International Financial Institutions Committee, Membership Committee and Sustainable Development Committee. There are three advisory councils – the Directors and Secretaries Advisory Council (DNSAC), Diversity Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council and Future Leaders Advisory Council. The requirements for all these groups except the DNSAC (which is exclusively for MAs) are that members must be working for either a member company of a FIDIC MA or directly for the MA and then be endorsed by the MA. Additionally, several working committees operate task groups of specialists who do not need to be endorsed by MAs. Prospective applicants can apply through the FIDIC website here or alternatively if you would like to have an informal discussion about vacancies, please email memberservices@fidic.org

FIDIC Africa Infrastructure Conference

The annual flagship event of the FIDIC regional grouping FIDIC Africa is always well attended by industry professionals from the region and beyond. The 2024 FIDIC Africa Infrastructure Conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 26-29 May 2024, has as its theme Innovations and Infrastructure Development for Sustainable Development. The conference is traditionally one of the biggest networking events for the African construction industry and includes many international visitors too. To find out more visit the conference website at https://faic.or.tz/

Thanks to ACEC for their input at the recent Global Leadership Forum Summit

Last but not least, a big thank you to FIDIC’s US member association, the American Council of Engineering Companies, for presenting some of the results of their ACEC Research Institute Firm of the Future research in a session on scenario planning at FIDIC’s recent Global Leadership Forum Summit held in Geneva at the end of April. The ACEC research identifies some of the key trends and uncertainties facing consulting firms currently and the key competencies needed to address them. Click here to find out more about the excellent work of the ACEC Research Institute. https://www.acecresearchinstitute.org/about-us/

Membership and Stakeholders Services Team

Anil Iyer, Interim General Manager – Membership and Stakeholder Services, aiyer@fidic.org

Oro Cohen, Senior Executive, Membership and Stakeholder Services, ocohen@fidic.org

Abs Toyinbo, Membership and Stakeholder Administrator, atoyinbo@fidic.org

Thanks

See you then!