Inside NIRMA Fall 2020
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From the President<br />
Michelle M. Smith<br />
e had a wonderful Conference<br />
W<br />
this past August. Our<br />
presenters spoke on issues that<br />
are relevant to the Nuclear<br />
Industry and presented us with<br />
challenges and solutions that will help<br />
define a path for our future. As the<br />
nuclear industry continues to adapt to<br />
the many challenges presented from<br />
COVID-19, our facilities will continue<br />
to look for efficiencies to drive changes<br />
to help the nuclear economy. Our<br />
hybrid conference was an example of<br />
how to adapt when presented with<br />
challenges.<br />
As nuclear professionals, we not only<br />
have to be willing and able, but also<br />
ready to accept challenges. That is what<br />
makes being a member of <strong>NIRMA</strong><br />
important. <strong>NIRMA</strong> offers our<br />
membership technical guidance, an<br />
avenue for networking not just during<br />
the conference, but daily and a platform<br />
to make a difference in our industry. I<br />
observed many healthy conversations<br />
generated throughout the conference,<br />
which provided our membership with<br />
firsthand information on industry best<br />
practices.<br />
This year’s conference focused on<br />
many diverse topics. We heard from<br />
Colleen McClanahan who shared<br />
information on how the Federal Bureau<br />
of Investigation (FBI) Counters the<br />
Radiological Threat. Steve Weissman<br />
spoke on Pain and Glory: Records in<br />
the 21 st Century and Karen Fili spoke<br />
on Crisis Leadership: Safe and Sound,<br />
which addressed issues associated with<br />
COVID-19. In addition to our keynote<br />
speakers, we had the opportunity to<br />
hear from our vendors as they shared<br />
valuable information on industry<br />
products and services. The topics<br />
shared during the conference plays an<br />
A monthly Webinar<br />
series has been<br />
planned that will<br />
enhance educational<br />
opportunities amongst<br />
our membership<br />
beyond the annual<br />
Conference.<br />
important role in Strategic Planning. If<br />
you attended the Conference and<br />
missed any of the speakers or vendors,<br />
please access the <strong>NIRMA</strong> conference<br />
application for information. This<br />
application will be available to our<br />
attendees until December 1, <strong>2020</strong>.<br />
A significant part of creating the path<br />
for the future is ensuring alignment with<br />
our goals. The <strong>NIRMA</strong> board members<br />
met to review the Strategic Plan and the<br />
<strong>2020</strong> goals. One goal is to assist in the<br />
educational development of our<br />
members through a variety of means.<br />
A monthly Webinar series has been<br />
planned that will enhance educational<br />
opportunities amongst our membership<br />
beyond the annual Conference.<br />
Additionally, <strong>NIRMA</strong>’s Professional<br />
Development Business Unit created a<br />
Mentorship Program to assist with the<br />
knowledge transfer between our sage<br />
members and newer members. We<br />
have many volunteer members with an<br />
array of knowledge (mentors) that we<br />
have begun pairing with several newer<br />
members (mentees) who have asked for<br />
assistance with a variety of topics.<br />
Sharing our knowledge with one<br />
another is a great way to ensure our<br />
future success. We are looking to add<br />
to our bank of mentors who would be<br />
willing to pass along their knowledge to<br />
others in <strong>NIRMA</strong>.<br />
Another important goal is to look for<br />
ways to increase membership. Please<br />
realize that each of us can assist by<br />
sharing information about <strong>NIRMA</strong> with<br />
our peers and colleagues in an effort to<br />
ensure the growth of our organization.<br />
These are just a few examples of<br />
how your active participation in<br />
<strong>NIRMA</strong> can make a difference.<br />
As president, I will continue to look<br />
for opportunities to ensure alignment<br />
with our <strong>2020</strong> goals and to ensure<br />
further opportunities for 2021. Your<br />
input is very important to the success of<br />
<strong>NIRMA</strong>. Please submit any ideas that<br />
you may have to nirma@nirma.org.<br />
20 <strong>Fall</strong> <strong>2020</strong> <strong>NIRMA</strong>.org <strong>Inside</strong> <strong>NIRMA</strong>