Surveying & Spatial Sciences Institute

As I sit in my office here in Canberra and get ready for looks like a harsh and cold winter I look back over the past month and think what a great Institute SSSI has become in such a short time. I have had the opportunity over the past few weeks to attend two Conferences, NT Spatial, Darwin and the National Land Surveying Commission Conference Melbourne and without doubt it has been a credit to the organising committees of both for the success they were and the feedback on their value. Talking with Members, Exhibitors and Spatial Professional about how we can improve SSSI is one of the things that motivate me.

There is no doubt that the past couple of years have been the most challenging period we have experienced for many years in terms of economic downturn. This has posed a threat to job security, spending and a volatile economy and it is through professional development and re-engagement with employers that we will look to an exciting future in our profession.

I was asked recently to present at the ‘Going Places ‘ seminar in Perth and three of the questions that I was asked to cover were:

What drives me, career wise?
Who motivates me? and
What are my aspirations for SSSI?

For the benefit of members I thought that I would share some of my thoughts on these valid and pertinent questions...

What drives me, career wise?

The thing that most drives me is working with energetic people and being part of a team that has the philosophy of a can do approach - how can we achieve this rather than it can't happen or can’t be done. I think that knowing that SSSI is on a continuous improving program and moving forward on many aspects of continual professional development, certification, professional excellence and value for money continues to be my highest priority. Every day and every week I am learning more and more about the spatial community and to me lifelong and continual learning is something that we all need to aspire too.

Who motivates you?

In SSSI it's the YP group that motivates me I am also a great believer in Gen Ys and I believe that we have lots to learn from them. They are creative and not afraid to go in unchartered waters. Of course my family is also a high motivator for me. If I could identify one person in SSSI who has given me strength and the motivation to continue on the journey it would be Jonathan Saxon. He has been a source of constant support and a great mentor to me.

Where do you want to go, aspirations?

There is no doubt that the past couple of years have been the most challenging period we have experienced for many year. The economic downturn has posed a threat to job security, spending and a volatile economy.

One of the issues in such a challenging period is the issue of attracting and retaining people and this can be applied to staff working for you as well as membership of SSSI. As a member of SSSI we need to ensure that membership for you is a value proposition and to this end we need to be having continuous improvement programs and strategies to ensure that we keep meeting your needs and providing you with value.

When I look back on what I have done and where I have been, not just in SSSI I think that I have made a difference wherever I go. I have passion for what I believe in, drive to make it happen and tenacity to complete something I start.

Personally I am looking forward to growing the YP group and working on getting at least 50% YP membership on every committee in SSSI and trying to increase the presence of women everywhere in SSSI. I need your help to do this and with it we will become an organisation that truly embraces diversity.

As we approach the end of the financial year I encourage you to talk to your colleagues and workmates to encourage them to join your professional Institute and to engage with us, you’re Region/Commisssion/SIG in conversations on how we can make improvement in the Institute.

Kind Regards

Roger Buckley