THANKING THE 2010 - 2012 COUNCIL

For the last 2 years I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the Chairman’s Messages by Christopher Nunns and often pondered over how difficult it would be for the new Chair to step into Chris’s shoes. As with his writing, Chris had a unique leadership style. His mature, resolute, and often composed approach provided sound platform for the Council to grow in strength.

While the 2010 – 2012 term started off with a few of the Council members stepping down shortly after the elections due to work commitments and a couple of others early this year not just leaving the Council but also Singapore, we were fortunate to have members co-opted into Council in late 2010 and other Council members stepping up to take on additional portfolios. For the service and dedication of Chris and his team, I thank them all on behalf of the SCL(S) membership.

STEPPING UP

In the tradition of our Society, several months ago I was asked to consider if I would step up to form the new team to take our Society into its 2^nd decade. Having been with the Council since the 2008 – 2010 term as vice chair of the Professional Development committee, then in the 2010 – 2012 term as Vice Chairman and chair of the External Relations committee, I felt that it was my duty to not just continue the tradition but share the knowledge and experience from the last 4 years on the Council.

Soon after I agreed, I started to consider carefully the team that the membership would vote in and trust; that shared my believe that the commitment of Council would likely be for more than just two years; and any such involvement with a society or institute must always primarily be to serve the membership and not focus on personal gain (which often clouds one’s judgment). I also needed to put in place a sound succession plan (practice I learned from my first career as a regular with the Singapore Armed Force).

INTRODUCING THE NEW 2012 – 2014 COUNCIL

The new Council is essentially made up of three critical groups of individuals - the core group, the “backbone” group, and “new blood” group.

The Core group

Paul (Vice Chairman) – In early 2010, Paul indicated that he was keen to come on board to help the Society. When the time came for the Society to co-opt Council members, he was the first name I put up and we soon had him working on the Professional Development committee. He completed that term with record number of attendees at several of our seminars this year. In his time, he also displayed a level of calmness and soundness that I knew would be a great asset. Paul was the first to accept my invitation to run for the new Council and agreed to take on the role as chair of the External Relations committee where he now works with the sister SCLs around the world, our 7 existing MOU partners, and develops relationships with new MOU partners including several universities.

Zoe (Honorary Secretary) – She was an obvious choice as she had stepped up to assist in this role in 2011 - 2012. Zoe from her time as chair of the Publications committee in the 2010 – 2012 Council was always meticulous and thorough and so I felt that she would be the perfect balance for Paul and myself.

Darren (Honorary Treasurer) – When Darren joined the Council in 2010, he was tasked to deal with two committees, the Social and Special Focus committees. He rose to the task and constantly raised fresh ideas with detailed analysis including the commercial viability of carrying those ideas through. To me, he was an obvious choice to manage the Society’s funds.

The Backbone group

Chris (Immediate Past Chairman) - While I knew Chris would be my pillar, I felt compelled not to impose on him too much as immediate past chairman. However, Chris without a second thought about taking a back seat, offered to be the Moderator of the newly formed on-line Forum. As this new initiative was still in its infancy, Chris stepping up to this was indeed a weight off my shoulders and I am grateful for his commitment to this initiative.

Mohan (Vice Chair of the Professional Development Committee) - Mohan, like Chris, comes with many years’ experience with the Society’s Councils. Since my time serving in Mohan’s term (2008 - 2010), I have held great admiration for his ability to tackle tough issues and provide balanced and often sensible solutions to many issues, and to me was an absolute must have on the Council.

Brendon (Chair of Website, Resources and Research Committee) - He too comes with many years of experience with the Society, is passionate about it and is often relied upon to review and research specific initiatives undertaken by the Council. The Website is to some extent Brendon’s “playground”, to nurture that passion of his.

The New Blood

Matthew (Chair of the Special Focus Committee) – Matthew joined the committee over a year ago at the invitation of Darren and soon initiated the Society’s connection with the Tunnelling community (a sector that had been on the Society’s “radar” list for over 4 years). Matthew will now crystallise that initiative and move on to tackle one or two other sectors, including the Oil & Gas sector.

Moon (Chair of Professional Development Committee) – Moon comes on board with experience in overseeing seminars and training courses and she has connections with a wide spectrum of the Construction industry. She has speedily moved on to further the great work that Paul has done. Moon also kindly accepted the role of Honorary Assistant Treasurer, with managing figures/numbers being second nature to her as a qualified quantity surveyor.

Sunny (Chair of the Social & Outreach Committee) – Sunny has vast experience organising social events for another Institute. He is extremely passionate about engaging the younger generation of the Construction Industry through social networking. He will also look into possible charitable causes that the Society can support.

Rama (Vice Chair of the Special Focus Committee) – Coming from a key Authority, I had the good fortune of meeting Rama almost a year ago. His energetic approach and ideas are all starting to bear fruit and I am sure that the committee will soon be shifting into top gear on several of his initiatives and suggestions.

David and Jenny (Co – opted as Co - Chairs of the Publication Committee) – Following the AGM, the Council deliberated on the need for a few more on the Council. David (recently retired as president of another Institute) and Jenny were both happy to join the Council. They will surely bring fresh perspectives to the Council including the Society’s quarterly newsletter and interesting ideas from their respective fields of work and experiences.

SCL(S) MOVING FORWARD

As I mentioned at the AGM, the new Council does not intend to “re-invent the wheel”, but I envision three areas of focus for the Society for this coming year.

Providing Sound Training

This aspect stems mainly from issues raised by the Honourable Justice Quentin Loh in his keynote address at the SCL(S) Annual Conference this year, in particular –

“Most glaring of all is the fact that many of the cases that come up for hearing [in the High Court] are not in a proper state of preparation for a hearing …”

“At an early stage, we now ask for Scott Schedules to be prepared. Scott Schedules have to be detailed, unlike general pleadings, with specific allegations, identification of alleged defects with references to the documents and detailed responses from the defendants and third parties."

Our Society is well placed to take steps to help train the industry on these aspects highlighted and the Professional Development committee will review how best our programmes can help with this.

Engaging the younger generation

There is also need to re-engage this critical pool of individuals, each year graduating into the industry. I believe this generation is clearly the Society’s responsibility (well within the objectives in the Society’s Constitution). The External Relations and Social & Outreach committees will look into how best to achieve this with the universities.

Reaching Out to the Construction Industry

With the Society embarking into its 2^nd decade, I believe it is now well placed to give back to the Construction community, focusing on corporate social responsibility. I will work with the Social and Out Reach committee to formulate programmes of this nature.

INVITATION TO JOIN THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES

Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity to encourage the members to step up and join the various committees that may interest them ….. some of these may well be rewarding and even enjoyable.

Thank You, Anil Changaroth