Dear AILA Members,
I am writing from the lands of the Kaurna people, the Traditional Owners of the Adelaide Plains.
As 2021 comes to an end, we have spent another 12 months impacted by covid and across the country we have been presented with different challenges. However despite the complexity of these conditions, our profession has continued to grow in its profile, membership and impact. As part of the incoming board, I am optimistic that what we have gained in adversity will position us well to continue to expand our influence locally, nationally and internationally as we begin to emerge from the impact of COVID.
In the last few months, I have been reading ’The Future We Choose – Surviving the Climate Crisis’, by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac, and valued its optimism and the diversity of ten practical actions to towards overcoming the enormity of the climate crisis. In the final page, it sets out a call for action:
‘Let us tell the story of how we made the choice to pull away from the brink of peril, of how we took our responsibility seriously and did everything that was necessary to emerge from the crisis while rekindling our relationships with each other and with all the natural systems that enable human life on Earth. Let it be a story of great adventure, against overwhelming odds.’
While our political leadership may at times be found wanting, my few weeks on the board has underlined my optimism for the adventure ahead, by the quality of initiatives and commitments of our members shared across the Board and AILA staff, our national committees, and within each state chapter.
Earlier this week, the Board met and our agenda and discussions covered a diversity of topics which demonstrated the complexity of issues our profession, working together as one AILA, is prepared to tackle in advancement of our strategic vision, mission and values.
As a new-comer, it is intimidating, but energising to see the path ahead for AILA in 2022. As the Board, we are keen to strengthen the opportunities for our national committees to demonstrate their leadership and a greater impact to AILA. The Board has endorsed a new set of Terms of Reference for a number of existing as well as new Committees and Working Groups. Member involvement provides an opportunity to build on the experiences, expertise and interests of individuals, towards a set of common directions. Nominations have recently closed for a number of committees, and we thank members for their nominations.
Similarly, the Board is focused on better ways to support the efforts of State Chapters, to foster greater co-ordination and collaboration that can build on the local initiatives and encourage greater sharing of local successes across the country to maximise the value to our members, and further the impact of AILA and our strategic directions.
The recently launched Memberscape provides the opportunity for individual members to contribute to important and interesting topics as part of our online community. We have been excited to see the high level of member engagement already evident since its launch, as well as the diversity of topics raised by members. Thank you to members who have already made a contribution to Memberscape and we encourage you to keep checking in and don’t hold back in sharing opinions, ideas or asking a question.
On behalf of the Board, I would like to express our gratitude to AILA CEO, our staff and Chapter Managers for their tireless efforts over the last 12 months to support the Board and our Members. Thank you to our National Committees, State Chapters, and members who have willingly provided their time and expertise to help grow the profile and impact of our profession through your ongoing contributions. Together, these efforts demonstrate that we, AILA, are prepared to do what is necessary, and I’m proud to play my part.
We are only days away from Christmas, and whilst the novelty of nightly re-setting the ‘Elf on the Shelf’ has no doubt worn off, it is a great time to switch-off, recharge and reflect on the achievements of the past year as well as prepare ourselves for the ‘great adventure’ that lies ahead.
Merry Christmas to you and your families and on behalf of the board, we wish you all great 2022!
Ben Willsmore FAILA
National Board Member