Great Scot April 2019 Great Scot_156_April_2019_Online | Page 66

OSCA
OSCA President – Mr James Douglas ('84)
Exciting opportunities as
OSCA considers bold steps
OSCA’s strength allows it to think big
MR JAMES DOUGLAS ('84)
OSCA PRESIDENT
NEWLY - ELECTED OSCA
COUNCILLOR, PAULINE
WESTMORE, WHO TAUGHT
AT SCOTCH FROM
1995-2016
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I’m most excited about the wide range of opportunities
OSCA has at its disposal to maintain and develop its
engagement with the Scotch Family, and to strengthen even
further the excellent relationship the Association has with the
School.
OSCA is constantly evolving to meet emerging challenges
and opportunities, and to cater fully for the changing needs of
our Old Boys. For example, our alumni are becoming much
more culturally diverse, with an increasing number of Scotch
boys coming from Asian backgrounds, and OSCA is acutely
aware that we must cater for the interests of this growing
cohort. Also, we recognise more than ever the indispensable
role women play in the life of our clubs and branches. This
year, for the first time, a woman (former Scotch teacher,
Pauline Westmore) has been elected to OSCA Council.
In practical terms, what are the issues that are making
me so excited about my role as OSCA
President? First there is the OSCA House
development. We are all very excited about
this initiative and we greatly appreciate the
support we are receiving from the School
and from the Scotch Foundation to help
bring this major project to completion. OSCA
House will provide a welcoming home for
Old Boys to meet informally, as well as
offering OSCA clubs and societies a great
facility to hold their meetings. OSCA Council
is giving a lot of thought to how we can best
use OSCA House for the maximum benefit of
our Old Boys.
Perhaps not so exciting, but still vitally
important for OSCA, is to update our
constitution. The constitution had previously
been reviewed in 2015 and it remains an
excellent document, so we believe there is
no need to change its underlying objectives
– we simply wish to update it, so that it is fully relevant to the
OSCA of 2019 and beyond. Our aim is to submit the revised
document for endorsement at the 2019 OSCA annual general
meeting. Prior to that the draft will be widely circulated and
comments will be welcome.
Developing a clear strategic path is vital for any
organisation, and OSCA is no exception. At its February
meeting, OSCA Council spent considerable time discussing
Great Scot Number 156 – April 2019
the Association’s strategy for 2019 and beyond, and what
needs to happen to convert the strategy into action.
We defined our role very simply in three statements:
• we will provide reasons to connect;
• we will provide places to connect; and
• we will provide opportunities to give back.
I think the three statements capture the core of what
OSCA does and why it exists.
Let’s look at the statements in a little more detail.
‘Reasons to connect’ can include continuing a passion,
establishing a new one or looking to build a personal
network – or even just staying in touch with classmates
after schooldays are over. ‘Places’ are both physical – for
example, the OSCA Annual Dinner, branch events and other
events – but they are also digital: how we can best facilitate
connections between Old Boys. (The facilities OSCA House
will offer will play a key role in achieving this objective.)
‘Opportunities to give back’ does include recognising
that engagement leads to support for the School, but we are
thinking more broadly than that. We want to build on many of
the activities boys are introduced to at Scotch, such as the
Indigenous Program and a dedication to philanthropy and
social ventures.
As we strive to achieve OSCA’s objectives we will focus
intently on a number of areas, including the structure of
the OSCA office, our relationship with the School, and our
engagement with the OSCA clubs, including opportunities to
do more to help the clubs. Developing a digital strategy is also
a key part of our engagement initiatives.
I continue to mention engagement because it has
always been one of OSCA’s primary roles. My predecessor
as OSCA President, Andrew Crawford (’89) made it a key
objective during his presidential term. In 2019, I want to build
on Andrew’s initiatives; to enhance the formal links, but also
to focus on the informal links. There are many examples of
Old Boys and others who get together for sport, music, food
or just to stay in touch. Many of these examples of fellowship
are inspirational to others, and I want to tell their stories
through 2019.
OSCA’s strength allows it to think big – indeed it compels
us to do so – and I want us to take bold steps in the way we
work for the OSCA community; to be innovative in the way we
facilitate engagement, support our clubs and branches, and
communicate effectively with our alumni.
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