President's Message January 2013
by Ed Haskell
By the time you read this we will have all survived … er, enjoyed, the holidays season and will be resolving to accomplish all that we wished we had done in 2012. This is an annual rite which hopefully leads to steady improvement. As you reflect on your approach to the year ahead please consider your relationship with Skyscrapers.
I have previously remarked on the close connection between volunteering and the success of the Society. Arguably one of the vital determinants of that success is how well the leadership positions are staffed. The Nominating Committee is beginning its yearly assignment of recruiting members with the talent and dedication required to fill the elected positions for the next term. You have an important role to play in how well the committee accomplishes its mission.
The Nominating Committee operates openly but without much fanfare as it attempts to find at least one qualified candidate for each position. Its members take seriously their charge to solicit other members to come forward and declare their desire to serve the Society. The committee interviews each of these prospective candidates in an attempt to fit the abilities and experience of each into one of the positions open for election. Part of this process involves educating prospects on what each of the positions requires in terms of experience and commitment. From this exercise emerges the committee's slate of candidates.
If you have an interest in serving please bring yourself to the attention of the committee.
A second, lesser known, duty of the Nominating Committee is to serve as a recruiter for other than the elected positions. For example a member may have come to the committee's attention who might be a prospect for an elected office but who, on further learning of what was required or for other reason, decided that they were not interested in standing for election now. This member might be well suited for some other function. There are numerous areas where volunteers are needed. If the committee inquires into your interest in serving in a non-elected position, either as a result of your initiative or theirs, please give thoughtful consideration to helping out.
Thanks for all you do for Skyscrapers.
