Paul Tennant - Orbit Group Chief Executive
For someone who has been in the same profession for 30 plus years, standing for election for the Chartered Institute of Housing Vice Presidency was always going to be a slightly surreal experience. After all, so few of us are ever the other side of the ballot box. So after the live debate hosted by CIH President Robin Lawler yesterday, and attending the EGM, I sat down to gather my thoughts and reflections on the last couple of weeks.
The first thing which strikes me is about the levels of engagement CIH members have with the organisation. The changes in the last 2 years have sought inclusion and engagement and examined what the CIH is for, and what its focus should be, in a way which has probably not happened before. The VP process is part of these changes and while I get a sense that it’s engaged many members in a new way, for many others it hasn’t. For me, this is a key issue for whoever gets elected as the next VP. How do we bring the passion of members into their relationship with their membership organisation? What is and what should be that relationship?
Secondly, it’s been a huge personal challenge. I think I have a pretty good grasp of the issues we face – after all they are part of my daily work, whether talking to front-line housing officers, residents or Board Members. But public debate demands a complete grasp of the facts and your policy brief – so politicians, you now have my understanding and sympathy… or at least a bit more than you did. The experience has also re-enforced my belief that you need to follow your instinct and stay true to your beliefs. The strongest arguments are those you can make with complete conviction and passion.
Thirdly, what’s also really resonated in the last week or so in talking to CIH members, is the complexity and scale of the many challenges we face, whether a small community housing association in London or a major RP in the North East. Government still does not fully recognise the work we do and the contribution we make. We must change the negative narrative around social housing. Not an easy task I know, but framing that future debate with Government will be absolutely critical.
If you do have any questions or comments in the run up to 30 January, please do drop me a line. I’d love to hear your views.
Any questions or comments for Paul can be sent to group.communications@orbit.org.uk
Tags: campaign, Chartered Institute of Housing, CIH, egm, election, housing association, membership organisation, Orbit, Paul, personal challenge, surreal experience, Tennant, vice presidency, Vice President
