March Newsletter
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THE
MASTER
TUTOR

March 2008

the newsletter of the Institute of Master Tutors of Driving

New Roadcraft Safe Driving Duty of Care MSA Why... Endpiece 2007 Highway Code

Whenever a new Editor takes over, there are changes. That much is obvious.

Changes arise because the new Editor:

  • is unable to reproduce something used by the previous Editor (eg a typeface, or logo);
  • chooses to make changes which he believes will improve the publication’s appearance; and
  • unintentionally changes something he is unaware he has changed.

I have this issue tried to keep changes to a minimum. Whether that is wise I’ll consider shortly, but let me explain why I’ve changed so little.

Firstly, I think that folk resent frequent change, especially that which has no apparent reason.

Secondly, I recognise that what my predecessor put together was actually very good, and needs no change. Keith, well done. Your past editions of Master Tutor (even ignoring your work with RoSPA and on Roadcraft) stand as their own tribute.

If there is to be change, is it wise to leave it for future editions? Certainly, it would have been easier for me (from a technical point of view) to start from scratch rather than produce something similar in layout to previous editions. Moreover, members would think that changes are only to be expected with a new Editor, so to leave them for a later edition is more likely to invite adverse comment.

What is wise, I think, is to use the opportunity of a change of Editor to rethink what we do for the future. And many minds (well, many IMTD minds) could generate better ideas than would mine alone.

Should Master Tutor remain an erudite, eclectic, quarterly publication? That may sit well with the Newsletter as the public face of a body whose members are “the best”. However, I have two proposals:

First, that Master Tutor become a monthly Newsletter, with more genuine news, whilst maintaining the high standard of any non-news articles, to be distributed electronically (reducing costs, helping the environment) taking care not to duplicate overly so the content of other newsletters.

Second, that IMTD produce an annual Yearbook, to include information about IMTD, and its members, as well as a selection of deeper articles.

Still, those are just my proposals for change.

What do you think?