A Message from 2011-12 ISRT President Steve Cohen, RT(R)

Thanks to all of you for coming to the conference this year. I’m especially grateful for your confidence in me. It’s an honor to represent you.

If someone had asked me four years ago if I would be standing here today, I would have had to say no way. I could not imagine it. I have been a card carrying ISRT member since 1983. Four years ago Kelly Wiedner Hardin, the President of the ISRT at that time, asked me if I wanted to be on a committee and I said yes. I had done nothing for the ISRT until that time I’m sad to say.

One of the most meaningful experiences that I’ve had through the ISRT is going to the RT in DC event in Washington. That is the ASRT’s annual advocacy event. That is about what else but the CARE Bill! If you ever want to go to this event let us know. I highly recommend going. It is an awesome experience.

One of our most urgent initiatives is passage of the CARE Bill. Indiana is fortunate enough to have good licensing laws, but there are eight states including Washington, DC that have no type of licensing! So please contact your congressman and ask him to support and co sponsor this very important bill.

With that being said, getting involved is something we all need to do. Your voice matters, your work matters. And we depend upon you, the member, to help keep the ISRT running. So I encourage you to volunteer—whether you serve on a committee, run for an office, host a one day seminar or a host a thee day conference. It is still not too late to be on a committee. Or if you ever thought about running for an office, next year could be your year!

And if there are educators here today, I ask that you talk with your students about being a member of the ISRT. Students are very important to this society. I believe that they are the future of the ISRT and our profession. This past Wednesday evening, I brought up the proposal of starting a student committee for the ISRT. Getting the students involved in board activities, having them act as liaisons between their programs and the ISRT, attending board meetings, giving them tasks and getting their ideas and perspectives on different issues. I already have the names of seven students who want to be on a committee. And hopefully, once they graduate and become RT’s, they will continue on with the ISRT and will eventually choose to be on another committee or run for an office.

Active membership is the key. Part of my goal for the coming year will be to increase our membership. The ISRT has had a decline in membership over the last several years. In 2009 we had approximately 710 members. Currently, we have 571 members. I plan on working to get students more involved. So, I challenge the educators to speak with your students and impress upon them the importance of being a member of the ISRT.

Remember—the ISRT is here for you, the RT and the student.