From the President - September 2019

In the message that I sent out on RUOK? Day, I noted that the Institute wants to play an active part in improving professional wellbeing in its normal course of business.

We all know that asking RUOK? is only the beginning of the process.  It is also critical to understand the nature of our interaction.  Engineers and planners are skilled in seeing a problem and developing solutions but we can all learn the value of engaging with people in order to develop a solution that they own. 

We have seen in some papers at our National Conference, that we are moving away from a just “show and tell” form of community engagement. Some have called this a “Decide and defend” approach.

The principles of dealing, at a personal level, with people who may be struggling, are based around active listening not just grandiose presentations. This is a very positive area that we can be involved in.  It is not just holding people back from the precipice. It is empowering us all to have opportunities and make use of our individual talents.

Recruitment for an Executive Officer 

Recruitment for the Institute’s first Executive Officer continues.  The Executive Officer remains the last of the key recommendations of the AITPM’s 2015 strategic review and places us in a strong position to respond to and manage current and future challenges. 

Reporting directly to the Board, the Executive Officer will be required to:

•    Lead and manage AITPM operations in line with Board direction;
•    Be the primary source of advice to the Board; and
•    Successfully execute the AITPM strategic plan.

The advertisement, which is currently running, can be viewed here. Please take the opportunity to share it with anyone who you think may be interested.
 

Dan Sullivan Retires from the Board

It is with a degree of sadness but a strong feeling of appreciation that we farewell Dan Sullivan from our Board.

Dan’s work in many thankless areas, has been critical to the AITPM keeping an even keel and progressing through a number of administrative developments that could be considered mine fields, but Dan showed with patience and a good spirit what can be achieved.

I have seen Dan stand up and give presentations at many AITPM functions, some impromptu, and have always come away better informed and encouraged by his natural, warm personality.

On behalf of us all we wish Dan well in the enormous amount of time that he will now have to give to his family, friends and business.