The affairs of the NZ Geotechnical Society are managed by the Management Committee on behalf of the members. We aim for representation on the Committee that is as broad as possible both geographically and between engineers and geoscientists to ensure that all views are well represented.
The current Committee members are:
- Eleni Gkeli (Chair 2021-2023),
- Ross Roberts (ex-officio member, Immediate Past Chair 2021-2023, NZ representative for IAEG),
- Jen Smith (elected member, Treasurer and Vice Chair, 2021-2023),
- Emilia Stocks (elected member in 2021 for a two-year term),
- Richard Justice (elected member in 2021 for a two-year term),
- Ayoub Riman (elected member in 2021 for a two-year term),
- Sam Glue (elected member in 2022 for a two-year term)
- Liam Wotherspoon (elected member in 2022 for a two-year term)
- Rolando Orense (ex-officio member, NZ representative for ISSMGE)
- Paul Horrey (ex-officio member, NZ representative for ISRM),
- Christoph Krauss (co-opted member, Young Geotechnical Professionals representative)
- Camila Gibbons (co-opted member, editor of Geomechanics News assisted by Robert Kamunhangire as co-editor)
- Jordan Moll (co-opted member, Website coordinator)
We also have two appointed members, renumerated for their services, assisting with the management of the society:
- Teresa Roetman, appointed member, Secretary.
- Amanda Blakey, appointed member, NZGS Projects.
2023 election
The terms of four elected members of the 2021 – 2023 Management Committee come to end in September 2023, Jen Smith, Emilia Stocks, Ayoub Riman and Richard Justice.
To replace the elected member positions, as well as to ensure that the Committee has enough members for a good spread of the workload, the current Management Committee has decided to open five new positions available for election this year.
Election of the Management Committee for 2023 will be via an online ballot, if an election is necessary (i.e., more than five nominations will be received).
Results of the election will be announced at the AGM to be held on Thursday 21 September 2023 in Wellington.
You can find out more about the process and the role of the committee in our rules.
Why stand?
Taking part in the NZGS management committee is a unique opportunity to shape the direction of our profession. You will get the opportunity to collaborate with other industry professionals, lobby central government, to take a lead in developing training courses or seminars, guiding the development of technical guidance, bringing international conferences to New Zealand, and supporting our members to develop. You will have a key role in deciding what NZGS prioritises, and what we do for our members. You will get to work with leading members of our profession and grow your professional networks.
Timeline
The timeline for the election is:
- Call for nominations (opens 21 June 2023, closes Friday 14 July 2023)
- Preparation of election documentation and system (17 July 2023 to 21 July 2023)
- Voting (24 July 2023 to 21 August 2023)
- Confirmation of results (22 August 2023 to 28 August 2023)
- Notification of new committee (6 September 2023)
Expectations
Being on the management committee is rewarding. The benefits that are gained are proportional to the effort put in, and so we encourage people to stand who are able and willing to put in the time and effort required to make the most of their tenure. We strive for a balance of experienced professionals (who may have less time, but who’s advice will be invaluable) and more junior professionals who may be able to spare more time for NZGS activities.
We expect that each elected committee member will:
- Aim to attend all the committee meetings. We traditionally hold four full-day committee meetings each year (8hrs each), but are increasingly holding some online spread over multiple days. The total commitment each year is about 32 hours for these meetings, plus a bit of preparation / pre-reading time.
- Take the lead on one of our core portfolios of work. You can find out more about these in the members only section of the website here. You will take full control of the portfolio (although strategic decisions are always made by the full committee), and will report on progress at each committee meetings. The amount of time this requires will depend on the portfolio, but could range from 40 hours per year to much more than that if you’re keen.
- Take the lead on one or more of our projects. You can find out more about these in the members only section of the website here. You won’t be expected to do all the work, but will be expected to drive the project and report on progress to the committee. The amount of time this takes is really up to you, and varies significantly by project. If it’s something you’re technically interested in it can be a great personal development opportunity, and worth spending considerable time on.
We work as a collaborative team, so expect to make decisions as a group, identify new opportunities together, and to have as much fun as we can along the way.
How to apply
Please submit your application by the end of 14 July 2023 to secretary@nzgs.org. All applications must be on the 2023 election form provided by the society, and must be signed by the member nominated and two other financial members of NZGS.
What you could be involved in
Our committee is currently involved in a whole range of activities:
- Core activities:
- Coordinating local branches
- Arranging touring guest speakers (including overseas speakers)
- Setting up webinars
- Creating and managing short courses
- Leading our awards programme
- If a person with the right skills is elected, there are also roles working on NZ Geomechanics News and our website
- NZGS led projects
- Piling Specification Review
- NZ Ground Investigation Specification update
- Soil and Rock Description update
- Ground anchor specification
- Slope stability guidelines
- Young Professionals Training Modules
- NZ Earthworks Specification
- Expansive soils practice note
- Building Act section 72 guidance
- Subsoil drainage guidance
- Other projects we’re involved in
- MBIE/NZGS Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering Modules, training and technical queries
- NZS3604 update
- Engineering NZ occupational regulation review
- Engineering NZ review of the New Zealand Geotechnical Database
- Conferences
- 2024 – ANZ YGP Conference
- 2025 – 22nd NZGS Symposium
- 2026 – ISSMGE TC220 (field monitoring) conference
- 2027 – 16th ISRM International Congress on Rock Mechanics
- 2028 – ANZ Conference
- 2029 – 23rd NZGS Symposium
