Applications for the Female Observership for 2023 are now open but will close on 20 December. 

ALDE FEMALE OBSERVERSHIP PROGRAM OVERVIEW

In 2022, ALDE launched the inaugural Female Observership Program to give women in land development an opportunity to observe the Executive Board up close. This initiative was introduced as since ALDE was formed in 1994, there has only been a single female member nominate and serve on the board. This program will enable the board to have a greater field of vision in terms of engaging with our members who may not feel that they are not represented on the board. 

Watch a video explaining the program here

The intent of the Female Observer/s are to:  

• Contribute to the development of future female leaders; and 
• Use the position as a training opportunity for females with potential to move into subcommittee roles and/ or the Exec board.  

 The Observership program was hailed a success for 2022 and past participant Shuiyan Li shares her experience: 

“The Observership Program has provided me an opportunity of sitting in the executive meetings to learn from our senior leaders in the land development industry and observe how: (1) to manage an independent non-profitable body in all areas at a business level, (2) to analyse, predict and manage the impact of an requirement changes on the processes and/or procedures to the wide land development consultancies community, (3) to work with all forms of government bodies, agencies and authorities to implement processes and procedures in a role of representing all consultancies from small to large.

Participating in ALDE is the best way of spending my spare time to contribute back to the industry and learn from the industry leaders. ”

The ALDE Observership Program begins with the first board meeting of the year and finishes with the last. 

• As part of the application, Observer/s agree to the Program’s confidentiality terms. 
• During the Observership year, ALDE will facilitate Observer/s attending all board and any relevant subcommittee meetings as non-voting members so they can both contribute and learn about fundamental principles and functions of the board, the role of board members, the decision-making process and governance priorities. 
• Board minutes will note that Observer/s are present in the capacity as Observer/s and not as Directors.
• The point of contact for the Observer/s is the Executive Officer Karen Leoncelli, any questions about serving as an Observer/s on the board, including details for board meetings, board expectations of their Observer/s, behaviour and board culture. 

Benefits of the Female Observership Program 

• Actively developing the next generation of leaders for the land development industry;
• Inject a fresh perspective into the ALDE boardroom;
• Involvement in strategic projects to deliver benefits to ALDE;
• Observer can contribute to areas relating to their skill set through subcommittee involvement;
• Strengthen the ALDE board renewal strategy 

For further information, requirements and to apply for 2023, please refer to the ALDE Female Observership Program Flyer

Female Observership Application Process

The Female Observer/s are appointed through an expression of interest process that includes an interview.  

Observer/s will need to notify their employer of their participation in the Program to ensure their support when  attending ALDE board meetings. 

This process is managed by the Executive Officer and a member of the Governance Committee. Female first year graduates are also eligible to apply for the position (subject to attendance at a previous ALDE event). They can serve a single term of one year. ALDE board meetings are typically held last Tuesday of the month (12 in total), observer/s will need to make themselves available to attend these meetings. 

Applications close December 2022.

>>APPLY FOR THE FEMALE OBSERVERSHIP PROGRAM NOW<<<

More feedback from the program:

“As a civil engineer, the Observership Program has expanded my views on the areas other than technical in land development area. I have learnt a great deal of skills and knowledge on the areas of business management, finance, communication, and negotiation during all sessions I have participated.

I have a sense what is a big picture at the various stages of my career, where my managers, mentors have pushed me to look. This program is the mentor at the highest level, who have challenged me in this perspective.

As a female engineer, I have realised that we, female engineers, need to do more and to take challenges and opportunities to give our opinions in land development area, which provide end products servicing nearly half of the communities.

As a migrant engineer, I would like to see more representations of migrant engineers in ALDE while we are facing skill shortage in the industry and beyond, how ALDE can support the industry to take advantage of the huge pool of professional engineers the government immigration program has brough into the country.” –  Shuiyan Li , 2022 Female Observer