RSSeNEWS to be determined...

As the end of my term of office as president of the Society approaches, I have mixed feelings.  On the one hand, it has been a hugely exciting experience. I have met all sorts of interesting people, ranging from Government Ministers, through journalists, to leaders of industry. The regard in which the Society is held has been evident from those encounters.

I have spoken at countless meetings.  I have been involved in innumerable initiatives and developments which significantly promote the place of statistics in society. These include the establishment of the UK Statistics Authority, the creation of RSS eNEWS itself, the move of our Centre for Statistical Education to Plymouth, and meetings with research councils and the HEFCE.

The sheer number of balls the Society has in the air became apparent to me during the year before I assumed office, while I shadowed my predecessor Tim Holt. I hope I have not dropped too many of them.

On the other hand, it has also been a non-trivial amount of work - and I would like to express my appreciation to my employer for recognising the kudos that association with the Society brings, and allowing me the time to work for the Society.

The Society achieves its successes through the efforts of two groups of people. There are the thousands of members themselves, and especially those who willingly give up their time to serve on the Society’s committees, set the exams, guide the professional development process, interact with and advise government and the media, and so on and on. In a sense, these people and their activities define what statistics is.

And then there are the staff at Errol Street.  These people, who work together seamlessly as a team, achieve wonders in keeping all those balls from hitting the ground.

Both groups have been immensely helpful to me in advising and guiding me in my presidential duties.  No president can possibly be expert in all the domains in which the Society interacts, and the expertise and commitment of these two groups of people is what made my job possible. The individuals with whom I have interacted, sometimes on an almost daily basis (the blessing or curse of mobile phones and email!) have been unqualifiedly kind, supportive, and helpful. I owe all of them a huge debt of gratitude.

David Hand (President through 31 December 2009)

The February 2009 print issue of RSS NEWS will carry a feature from David about his presidency.