Over the past few weeks, we have completed our roadshow of strategic presentations to our SSSI Regions, Commissions, Committees and Members. I’d like to thank all the organisers and attendees. It has been an interesting experience to say the least. The input, ideas and enthusiasm of our Members has allowed us to tweak some aspects of our strategy, whilst reinforcing that we are on the right track with the changes we are building into SSSI.
For me, one of the most interesting aspects has been the fact that two months ago, when we started our roadshow, we had a Strategic Roadmap and a 2018-19 Strategic Projects Plan. Good ideas and strong documents, but just ideas and documents.
It’s fantastic that within those two months, strategy has started to become reality. Each of our 2018-19 Strategic Projects now has an active project team; the Board is receiving monthly progress reports on our strategy; and “the rubber is hitting the road” every day.
With the roadshow completed, SSSI’s 2018-19 Strategic Projects Plan is now available on the SSSI website via this link: www.sssi.org.au/about-us/who-we-are/sssi-strategic-roadmap.
The challenges are becoming real, but so are some of the early results. Watch this space!
One of the most enlightening parts of many of our strategic presentations has been a discussion beginning with a simple question: “what does SSSI stand for?”.
Any successful and influential national body, which represents key professions across the Australian economy, must leverage that influence to garner support and recognition for its Members. This comes through well structured, productive and consistent communication and advocacy. Most importantly, it comes from knowing very well what you stand for, and consistently communicating and advocating for it.
SSSI recognises that we must do better in this, which is why it is a major focus.
Over the next few months, we will consult widely to deliver a national public policy platform as the basis for all our advocacy efforts. This will be a single, up-to-date publication outlining what our members need, what we stand for, and how surveying and spatial sciences can best serve Australia’s needs.
Of course, all of this relies on steadfast, reliable leadership. That’s why it’s great news that SSSI remains in good hands following our Annual General Meeting held on 14 September 2018 in Launceston.
During the AGM a number of SSSI Board Directors were declared elected: Rob Sarib, Lee Hellen, Richard Syme and Wayne Patterson. I welcome the new and returned Directors and look forward to working with them.
Also during the AGM, Dr Zaffar Sadiq Mohamed-Ghouse was invested as our new SSSI President. I welcome Zaffar and look forward to working with him to build a stronger, better SSSI. The Board subsequently elected Paul Digney as President Elect and I offer Paul my congratulations and support.
Presented by the SSSI and Destination Spatial Queensland, the first National Schools Geospatial Information Competition emphasises the importance of geospatial science in an increasingly complex and challenging world. The competition is a chance for students from grade 7 through 10 to get to grips with how geospatial science works, what it can tell us about our communities, and ways that it can help us solve real world problems.
It’s also a chance to have a lot of fun playing with cool technology and to win impressive prizes. For more information, please click here.