The Estevan Oilfield Technical Society (OTS) has announced changes to the structure of its executive that it expects will help with succession planning.
The OTS has traditionally had a president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, past-president and board members.
Now there is a president, with Tony Sernick occupying that role since late January. Carl Henneberg is the treasurer, and Conrad Meili is the past-president. Meili had been the OTS president for about five years.
The president takes care of matters such as hosting the annual general meeting, and overseeing the events that are transpiring and other initiatives, such as the scholarship and the lobster trailer.
Now they have chairpersons for each of their three main events, and two members at large. The chairperson of their largest event, the Oilmen’s golf tournament, is Ashley Domes. Meili said that role is equivalent to the vice-president.
The next in line is the chairperson of the open bonspiel, Sam Bakala, and the chairperson of the trap-shooting event, which is Jordon Blanchette.
“Every wo years you move up the ladder of roles,” said Meili.
The two members at large, Aiden Hagel and Josh Biggs, will participate in the committees for all of the events, and then move into the ladder structure of the board of directors, starting with the trap shoot.
“We set a two-year term for each of the roles, and a big part of that is sustainability. We have to continue to allow people to jump into the organization, see a path forward where they can contribute and be a part of its growth and success,” said Meili.
Meili had been president for five years, and there wasn’t a clear exit plan for him to depart the role.
“When you’re taking on the responsibility of all of those leadership roles, then maybe it becomes a little more work than the next person wants to take on,” said Meili.
Once someone is finished their term as past-president, they could start over in the cycle again, or move onto other initiatives within the OTS.
“I think it will work great. There’s an inherent value in doing a job where you know the next person to do it is right there beside you. You have a tendency to leave things in good shape knowing that you’re working with the person who’s there,” said Meili.
Sernick described his term as president as being very good thus far.
“Conrad did it for five years. He came in and really organized the organization, and transitioned it,” said Sernick. “I was the secretary and I moved into president, and it’s been fairly easy. We’ve all been around each other.”
Sernick had been involved with the OTS since 2012.
He’s looking forward to seeing the OTS get more involved with the Eli Mandel Park next to the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum, especially since there are some tributes to Estevan’s energy roots in the park.
The OTS gives people an opportunity to get involved in the community and to partner with different groups where the events take place. And they get to donate back to the community.
“It’s a starter into working with other groups and getting to know the other people in the city. It’s a diverse group of people that covers all aspects. It’s good to hear and good to talk to and get involved in everything that is in Estevan and southeast Saskatchewan,” said Sernick.
