Associations
CGA Saskatchewan president Rob Stephanson on the importance of community involvement.
FROM:
MAR-APR 2007 ISSUE
You were recently re-elected to your fifth term as city councillor. What keeps you coming back to this job?
I enjoy the challenges that come with the various committees (Police Commission, Tourism, Parks Commission, Leisure Services, and Environmental Resource) and the responsibilities required in local government to keep a community prosperous and moving forward.
Why is it important to you to contribute to your community?
I think it is important for everyone to be involved in their community on whatever level their time allows. The rewards that come from volunteering have always been much greater than the investment required to be involved. It’s also a great way to promote the CGA designation to those whose paths you might not necessarily cross otherwise.
What is the most valuable skill you, as a CGA, contribute to the community work you do?
Strategic thinking and analytical skills learned while earning and maintaining the designation have proved valuable in addressing issues related to event organization, budgeting, long-term planning, and negotiations.
You wear a lot of different hats: president of CGA Saskatchewan, city councillor, partner of a public practice firm. How do you find balance in all that you do?
The support of my family is key. The corporate philosophy of our firm is also geared to be very community involved. A pet peeve of mine is those who like to complain about things but can’t be counted on to work toward correcting the things they complain about.
What is the most critical issue affecting CGAs in your region?
Growing the membership in Saskatchewan. It is also critical that CGAs become more unified on a national level to maintain this growth and strength.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hopefully still involved with my association and my community, and spending a little less time behind the desk and a little more time on the tee boxes and greens!
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