Robert Porrer
Higher Education consultant
Fellow since 1996 and currently Fellowship Council Chair
Experience in industrial marketing and HR led into a career developing and managing careers services and student services in four universities, in the UK and New Zealand.
Active professionally at the interface of Higher Education and employment, I have been Chairman of the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services, Convenor of AGCAS (Scotland) and the Scottish Graduate Careers Programme, directed a major “Enterprise” project and co-directed a study into the guidance needs of mature students. I have lectured extensively in the UK and overseas on careers education and guidance, strategic planning and performance management. Consultancy has included work in the UK, Eire, Australia, New Zealand, Romania and Hongkong. Awarded AGCAS Lifetime Achievement Award (2007).
As Chair of the RSA Scottish Committee (2006-8) I was instrumental in helping the Committee establish a new direction after consultation with Fellows. The new strategy focused on how we could have an impact within the devolved Scotland, by increasing Fellow involvement, developing new partnerships and enhancing the RSA’s profile in Scotland. A redesigned Newsletter gave details of events, projects involving Fellows, a Venture Fund for new projects, input into public consultations, partnerships, networking opportunities, new websites and discussion groups. All this was reflected in growth of the Fellowship in Scotland.
Over the past five years I have worked hard to improve relations between the Regions and RSA headquarters. The Fellowship Council offers a real opportunity to communicate the needs and wishes of the Fellowship to staff in London and to the Trustees. Having co-Chaired the first meeting of the Council my efforts have been directed to the development of the Fellows’ Charter and the Council’s review of the regional/national framework (for which I was Convenor of the Review Group); this review formed the basis for governance changes in the RSA’s regional and national structure, which were approved at the October 2011 AGM.
In 2010 I was elected Chair of the Fellowship Council, with Irene Campbell as Deputy Chair. Irene and I see the role of the Fellowship Council as facilitating a more constructive dialogue between Fellows and John Adam Street, working with Council, staff, Trustees and Fellows in an even-handed way to achieve this and resolve conflicting visions. Our aim is to enable Fellows, through the Council, to have a genuine influence on RSA strategy and operations. We believe it important for the Council to be more representative of the RSA Regions and Nations and the move in 2012 towards a more fully elected Council with the inclusion of elected Regional/National Chairs is a major step in the right direction.
The Council is only in its third year of operation and is starting to have a real impact - for example, in input into the recent Governance Review, the Review of Regions, Fellowship Charter, Catalyst Fund and work on digital engagement as well as a number of practical improvements in communications and support from the centre. Most importantly, we all need to learn the lessons of the past but have an open and constructive discussion about the way forward as we seek to increase the activity and engagement of Fellows.
Over the next few months Irene and I hope to visit regional/national meetings countrywide and also to engage with Fellows internationally. Our aim is to update Fellows, listen to them and respond to questions as well as ensure that the Fellowship Council keeps in touch with the experience and views of Fellows wherever they are based.
Contact Bob via RSAFellowship.com
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