ASET Technology Alberta Spring 2021 - 8

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

Stepping up
Barry Cavanaugh

As we've discussed before, in this column and in meetings
and visits across Alberta, ASET is your professional association. We've discussed the need to stand together as a
profession to protect the unique professional knowledge
and role of technologists. We've talked about redefining and
expanding that role to better reflect what technologists can
do. We've also explored how best to serve and protect the
public of Alberta as a regulated profession. You know what
we're doing on those fronts. We don't often discuss what all
that means to you, personally, though. What is your part?

A professional organization is
defined by the interest its members
take in their common purpose. It's
vital to advance and protect that
purpose within the context of the
greater public well-being. It is defined
by its members' sense of belonging,
by virtue of their professional
identity, with their colleagues -
and by a sense of personal and
collective responsibility for those
colleagues, that community of
interest and that profession.
To the extent that members take this interest, the organization will stay strong and relevant, both to them and from
within. To the extent that they lead, support and participate,
it will lend credibility and effectiveness to pursuing the aims
of the profession. A self-regulated profession is only effective when its members take genuine responsibility for its
legislated objectives.

8 | SPRING 2021 | TECHNOLOGY ALBERTA

It's apparently very modern to be cynical about professional
associations and regulators. It also seems to be fashionable
to be cynical about government and public institutions, or
about those who live their lives in public service. There appears to be a trend of disillusionment, and not identifying
with causes or communities. Do you think of your government, your associations, your community as " them " ?
This disconnect is notable in the decline of financial and
volunteer support for health charities and community organizations across the board, and in the definite withdrawal
from personal activity in and responsibility for our professional bodies.
What's going on?! Why do so many people appear to have
neither the time nor the interest? We need to ask these
questions of ourselves personally, I suggest: Am I active
in my communities (be they municipal, personal interest or
professional); Do I actively express my support for those
communities; Do I take part in the life of my professional
community? If not, why not?
ASET has accomplished an amazing amount in Alberta, in
its relatively short existence. Much of that success comes
from a small but dedicated volunteer cadre. ASET members
can take genuine pride in the work of their association, on
their behalf and in the public interest. While that work reflects the genius and commitment of an incredible staff at
ASET, it also reflects the vision, grit and energy of ASET's
volunteer leaders: its Council.
With so much to work toward, and limited resources, we
must rely on that elusive volunteer spirit. Your professional
association will succeed to the extent that you support it
and participate. Without volunteer service, ASET couldn't
deliver on its mandate. Even ASET itself is essentially a volunteer; we exist, founded and delivered by our members, to
provide a service both to the public and one another. Service to others is a hallmark of the volunteer, and of an organization like ours.
ASET Technology Alberta Spring 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASET Technology Alberta Spring 2021
