The Old Diocesan Issue 12 - Magazine - Page 118
meetings, reunions, memorials
and milestone celebrations. There
are also major fixtures on the OD
calendar for us to plan, including
Founder’s Day, the annual dinners
and the AGM, with Paul, Gisela
and me managing the logistics
behind the scenes.”
“Maintaining meaningful
connections with 8,500 ODs is
both rewarding and challenging.
Many alumni left school before
the era of email and cellphones,
and life has taken them across
cities, countries and continents.
While some update their details
themselves, we often rely on
the strength of the OD network
– friends helping friends – to
reconnect and keep the community
linked. The POPI Act has proved
a challenge on occasion…
“The most fulfilling part of
the role is connecting with ODs
wherever they may be: on the golf
course, at reunions, on the sidelines
of a rugby field, at concerts or book
launches, or at the annual dinner.
There is a powerful shared
experience that binds ODs, and
I love hearing stories of schoolday
mischief, Cederberg adventures,
sports tours and house life, and
memories of inspiring – often
slightly quirky – teachers.”
On marketing the ODU:
“Another enjoyable aspect of
the role is helping to shape how
the ODU – and Bishops – story is
told today. Social media allows
us to share news from around
the world almost instantly, while
editing the email newsletter and
The Old Diocesan remains just as
important. Each platform reaches
a different audience and serves
a different purpose, but together
they help strengthen connection,
belonging and pride within the
OD community.”
114 | THE OLD DIOCESAN
On managing
“strong personalities”:
“ODs are interested to know
how Bishops is doing, and there’s
a strong legacy of us supporting
the school, whether as members
of Council, as benefactors, or
simply by attending sports
matches and music concerts.
One of the guiding statements
of the ODU constitution is ‘pride
in and support of Bishops’. Some
ODs have big personalities and
clear opinions on how they believe
things should be done, so one of
the challenges of my role has been
to channel that communication in
a positive and engaging manner.
Having spent a career in education
and school leadership, I can
appreciate their passion for the
school, and the need to balance
that passion with respect for
the roles of Council and the
school executive. We want to
have constructive conversations
that lead to solutions.”
For more information on the
role and constitution of the
Bishops Council, including
biographies of all members
and observers, visit bishops.
org.za/aboutus/council.
PHOTOGRAPH FREDDIE CHILD-VILLIERS (2008S)
On communicating with ODs:
