Volunteering for leadership

Last week I attended a Student Leadership Workshop in the sunny town of San Diego, California. Over 240 students from over 30 different countries congregated at a large international meeting called Optics + Photonics that was organised by the SPIE. I had the pleasure to meet students at various stages of their education (both undergraduate and postgraduate), conference organisers, workers in universities and in private companies. The workshop was run by a very well-spoken gentleman, Jean-Luc Doumont, and over the course of the day explored the theme of leadership through group activities, presentations and role plays.

SPIE 2016 Student Leadership Conference. Picture credit SPIE Students.
SPIE 2016 Student Leadership Conference. Picture credit SPIE Students.

At the start of the day 26 groups set about a creative brainstorm, half on what a leader is and the remainder on what a leader is not. My group quickly decided that a good leader is not indecisive. Indecisiveness is second nature to me, so it was uncomfortable to hear a lot of valid reasons of how my leading ability could be hindered by my personality. We discussed this a lot, and I found that one could become decisive through listening and asking questions: to make informed decisions, and strive to clearly communicate ideas and visions for a group to steer itself through a process. Being indecisive, listening and asking questions are three things I can do very well, I would like to think. I must practice to balance these for the sake of productivity!

A good leader is NOT indecisive; a morning well spent at the 2016 SPIE student leadership workshop.
A good leader is NOT indecisive: a morning well spent at the 2016 SPIE student leadership workshop.

“Leader-ship”. 2 words: leader and ship. Why would one take the responsibility to lead a ship? I have met people who think they are the best for the role, and some who feel a duty to step into the leader’s shoes simply because someone must. Someone at the workshop said that people volunteer to lead, and I can agree with that statement from my humble experience. I volunteered to take the reins of the Optics and Photonics Society (OPSoc), and I volunteered to attend this workshop in San Diego. In return, the SPIE supported me through a travel grant, and the OPSoc gave me access to a wonderful community of people that like to get together (preferably in a sunny place!). “Leaders coming together” feels to me like a chore; “volunteers coming together” feels much richer. My leadership roles have taken me to some incredible places and my path has crossed those of some incredible people. I will continue to make the time to volunteer; there, I’ve said it and so please hold me accountable to it.

Volunteers in action: 2016 SPIE President Bob Lieberman with Southampton’s Optics and Photonics Society’ presidents of past & present (&future?)
Volunteers in action: 2016 SPIE President Bob Lieberman with Southampton’s Optics and Photonics Society’s Presidents of past & present (& future?).

Ontario and Quebec

Bienvenue à ma gallerie du Québec et de l’Ontario! On parle français ici aussi!

Welcome to my gallery of Ontario and Quebec! French spoken here too!

Sainte Nom de Marie, Montreal
Saint-Nom-de-Marie, Montreal
Camillian House panorama
Camillian House panorama
Poutine, a local Quebec delicacy of fries, cheese curds, meat and gravy.
Poutine, a local Quebec delicacy of fries, cheese curds, meat and gravy.
St George at the University of Toronto's downtown campus
St George at the University of Toronto’s downtown campus
Students of the University of Toronto graduate in the Convocation Hall
Students of the University of Toronto graduate in the Convocation Hall
The family flat on Dan Leki way giving onto Lake Ontario
The family flat on Dan Leckie way giving onto Lake Ontario