REPLY Society Strategy Development (SD7186)

[SDMAIL Paul Holmström]

Posted by  Paul Holmström <ph at holmstrom.se>

Earlier this year we had a maillist thread about ³professional² conferences,
adhering to a commonly used distinction between academics and
³professionals². I have tried to research the etymology of the word
professional, but didn¹t manage to clarify the differences in meaning.
Although academics obviously are professional, the word professionals is
commonly used for people earning their living outside academia.

Given that distinction, there was quite some discussion about separate
conferences or a separate conference track. However the thread seemed to
dwindle away in some vague hope that conference chairs or the society board
would consider the issue. I have not observed that the issue is being
considered anywhere.

In the ongoing thread about the vision of the Society there also crops up
differences of interest, some of them between academics and ³professionals²,
the latter very pointedly expressed by Carl Betterton and Richard Stevenson.
I do think it is necessary that the governing body and the policy council of
the society considers the particular interests of professionals and how they
might be supported more extensively within the Society and maybe
particularly at the conferences.

I doubt that any vision about the spread of System Dynamics can be fulfilled
without an extensive cadre of practitioners and professionals outside of
academia. It would be a pity if that group did find it necessary to form a
separate association in order to advance their aspirations and interests.
Much of the differences in interests were expressed in the thread about
³professional² conferences, which I suggest be revisited.

Being a ³professional² myself I would like to belong to a group, part of or
separate of the SD Society in order to have opportunities to share knowledge
and discuss with colleagues. And I would rather see that group as part of
the present society.

Paul Holmstrom
Posted by  Paul Holmström <ph at holmstrom.se>
posting date  Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:19:47 +0200