The Institute’s Development Director, Andy Lederer, outlines five resolutions for foresters and arboriculturists to improve their professional standards in the industry.
CHANGE – STAY AHEAD OF THE CURVE
Change has occurred throughout the UK at both political and local level and there is no doubt that when we leave the EU in April 2019, just over a year away, more changes will be on the horizon during 2018. So how can you adapt to change? Take a different look at your business, your industry and/or your profession. You can do this by seeking out innovative ideas to enable you to adapt even better to changes of the future by booking your place at the Institute’s flagship National Conference in Edinburgh, 2nd – 3rd May 2018.
REVISE YOUR CODE OF CONDUCT
The Institute’s members are all required to comply with ICF’s Code of Conduct – this is essentially the infrastructure upon which created the Institute’s chartered status. All professional foresters and arboriculturists should help maintain the integrity of the profession and protect the public by adhering to this ethical code. Make it your new year’s resolution to re-familiarise yourself with it.
KEEP YOUR CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT UP TO DATE
As a professional you will never stop learning and updating your skillset. Whatever continuous professional development (CPD) requirements you may have for example attending an ICF conference, a regional event or even unstructured learning (reading online resources, magazines or journals). A simple resolution could be to keep a diary of your activities and upload your learning to the Institute’s Members’ Area within a few days of completion. With the Members’ Area being mobile friendly, it is easier than ever to maintain your CPD record. For some events, we even do the hard work for you and send you a code that auto-completes the main components of an ICF event that you have attended.
GET TO KNOW YOUR REGIONAL GROUP
The Institute has nine regional groups across the UK, which form the heart and soul of the Institute’s member activities. These groups regularly organise their own regional events – from seminars on tree decay or woodland creation; to outdoor study tours focusing on integrated land management; and even lunches/dinners just to be able to exchange ideas face-to-face through your professional network. Some of our regional group events are open to non-members too, if you aren’t a member this is a great networking opportunity to engage with other professional foresters and arboriculturists that are active in your area.
GIVE BACK TO THE SECTOR
Reaching chartered status is a prestigious milestone for any forester or arboriculturist, and perhaps this is your year for reaching this goal.
If you have been chartered for ten, twenty, even thirty years? There are many ways that you can benefit from the Institute’s membership this year. It could be your year to use your experience to help those who are at an earlier stage of their career – by getting involved in your regional group, writing a blog for the Institute’s website, or simply offering support to a PME candidate. Contact the Institute today to find out more about putting your expertise to work – we would love to hear from you.
