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24 November 2008 – Chat 5
All
Member Groups
Meetings
with Regional Conservators
Regional Conservators are in the process of arranging group meetings with the President (or key representative) of each Friends of Parks member group in their region. In fact one or two such meetings have already taken place. In regions such as Adelaide, where there are large numbers of Friends’ groups, get-togethers are being organised on a district basis.
Some questions are being raised about the purpose of the meetings and I thought that it would be timely to provide a Friends of Parks perspective. They are an initiative of the Director, Regional Conservation Delivery, John Schutz, following discussions with the Friends of Parks Inc Board, myself as President, volunteers and departmental officers. Both the Director and I made reference to them in August in our respective presentations at the Flinders Forum. Hopefully they will provide a consultative forum for an exchange of views and information about volunteer needs and aspirations, regional priorities, resource issues as well as facilitating some networking. There is no sinister intent or hidden agenda and the success of the meetings will depend on the level of interest and involvement shown by all parties. John Schutz and I will follow their progress closely to ensure that they are providing a useful purpose. Your feedback will be both welcome and invaluable.
Can I ask all of you to give this initiative a fair go? Certainly the meetings provide an opportunity to discuss concerns but it would be disappointing if they didn’t proceed beyond a simple whinge session. Please see it as an opportunity to meet with regional volunteering colleagues, to share experiences and to consider ways in which collectively as Friends we can assist deliver good environmental and heritage outcomes. There’s a lot of talk nowadays about community engagement and Friends of Parks in my view is one of the best examples around of how to do it successfully. Let’s take this opportunity to impress DEH with our knowledge, commitment and value.
In conclusion, as the year draws to a close, on behalf of all my Board colleagues I extend season’s greetings to you and your loved ones with the wish that you enjoy a safe and successful 2009.
Regards
President