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…