Improving ALSAR (Part Two)

Those who visit the website frequently will have noticed the flurry of comments again on the Improving ALSAR post. It was suggested that I contact Adrian Edwards, Chair of ALSAR, to ensure he was aware that these comments were being made and ALSAR being discussed again. Here is his response in full…

Rob

I am aware of the comments on your website.

It is a shame that people haven’t grasped the fact that it is they who are ALSAR. They are the ones who must step up to the mark and drive the changes forward. The will to change is one thing, the ability is another.  When Andy Williamson resigned, I produced a document with ideas for change.  That was over 4 years ago and no doubt whilst everyone agreed with it, no one was prepared to drive it forward.

People must realise that to change requires time and commitment not just some comments on a forum.

As some of us know, many people will talk not many will do.  (My experience with the conference springs to mind as does Steve when he put the training document together.)

In my role at present it would be all too easy to take this personally but as someone who has no power or authority (or indeed wants any) I just sit and watch what is written.

In the 18 months that I have been Chairman, every meeting has had an agenda set.  With 2 exceptions all those agenda points have been mine.  No other person has been interested in putting anything forward.

At the conference I made a slightly impassioned speech to group following a conversation that I overheard.  I stand by every word of what I said.

To move forward requires commitment, enthusiasm, time and the ability to look at the broader SAR picture.

Let us hope that people will remember this.

I could ramble on for hours with personal opinions and thoughts but to do so would be churlish.

Suffice to say that I believe that ALSAR must develop in many ways and whilst some teams might not agree with those changes they should remember this.

To embrace change is to progress, to avoid change is to stagnate.

If you wish to reproduce this on your forum please feel free as I stand by every word that I have written.

Regards as always

Adrian

Once again I will add my thoughts at a later date – but will give you all a chance to comment too…

January 19, 2010 · Robert Bradley · 3 Comments
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3 Responses

  1. Kris Manning - January 21, 2010

    Adrian,

    Why are ALSAR minutes published on the website up to 2005 and then nothing after?

    Also, the ALSAR ACOP refers to a training document but I notice this is not on the website either?

    I spoke to our rep and asked for an update but he says he hasnt seen any minutes produced for 2009. If they were on the website then there wouldnt be an issue.

    I know the reps role is supposed to be 2-way however there is no substitute for the official ALSAR minutes, and no good reason to not have a key document present and visible on the website.

    Sorry to keep harping on about this but if teams knew what was being discussed then you might get more action/comment/involvement from them.

    I’ve questioned the minutes issue several times and you havent once addressed the query. However you are insistent on sticking the responsibility back on the teams for their lack of involvement.

    I really feel that ALSAR is missing a trick here. I’m happy to get involved, and happy to get my team involved, we just need ALSAR to give us a clue.

    You are asking us to be involved, meet us halfway?

  2. Simon Jeffs - January 23, 2010

    All,

    I have just uploaded some minutes and documents to the ALSAR members area.

  3. Jennie Webster - January 24, 2010

    Just been reading these, thanks Simon.

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