Message from the President 2010

Peter Roper FPSA

I write this after our 10^th Anniversary Convention in Marlow, UK and having taken over the reigns from our outgoing President Roger Harrop. Firstly I would like to pay a personal tribute to Roger who has been a fantastic President for the Association carrying on the great work set out by his predecessor Alan Stevens. As a team we have inherited a wonderful opportunity to develop on the themes set by the previous Board and have a number of great initiatives for the coming year. We have bid goodbye to that stalwart of the Association Graham Davies after many years of fantastic service and for him to receive the Paul Bridle award at the convention was a fitting tribute. We also say goodbye to Phil Jesson who has served particularly the Fellows admirably at the fellowship gatherings in 2009 and hello to Alan Stevens as he moves from Past President to become a Guardian Director of the Association.

Its my pleasure also to welcome Graham Jones to the Board after a brief sabbatical and I am delighted to announce that Graham is my successor as President Elect for 2010/2011!

There are a number of themes that I want to develop in my Presidential year and at this point I want to mention them briefly now...

Firstly, for some years as an Association we have considered whether to move the main convention date from November as it always seemed to clash with a number of connected events. We have always wanted to create stability for the convention as well so I am delighted to say we are returning to The Crowne Plaza at Marlow in 2010 which proved such a success this year. We have been overwhelmed by the fantastic feedback for this years convention -many saying its probably been the best ever. So simply put why change a great combination?

However the date is moving to 1-3 October 2010 which is certainly far enough away from most conventions worldwide to have its own unique place in our diaries!

We have a number of other great additions to the programme and the conference team will let you know these just as soon as they develop....

Secondly. Speak easy has been a resounding success admired around the world in recent times with its remarkable interviews and great copy.So it gives me particular pleasure to announce that with the huge support of Ayd Instone, Speak Easy is going to six issues a year!

This is fantastic news for the Association and I wish to extend my personal thanks to Ayd and Alan Stevens for making this happen. This gives us the opportunity to disseminate information from all members of the Board on a regular basis in a number of key areas from Chapter liaison, membership development, mentoring, fellowship and many many more!

Plus of course continuing with a variety of great news, views and information!

Please help the communication team with ideas, articles and information that will assist all of our membership.

Thirdly and finally for this article I would just like to repeat briefly my thoughts in my Presidents acceptance speech in Marlow in November.

I selected the theme SPIRIT for this year because its my belief there is a special bond that exists within the membership of the PSA and its sister organisations around the world. Only in the PSA can you meet and develop long term relationships with individuals that understand the uniqueness of being a speaker.

Only in the PSA will you meet or learn from other speakers from around the globe, who visit our chapters and conventions on their own time and at their expense to gain Knowledge and Information perhaps also Education in the quest to become better at what they do and along the way make some great friendships.

To me that's the Spirit of the PSA

I invite you to be a part of it!

Peter