Association CEO Index 2024 - Flipbook - Page 18
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Association CEO Index 2024
“So, I drove into town, I went straight to a real estate
agency and I rented an industrial shed (after negotiating
a very good deal). I pulled all the trucks off the road and
parked them all in the shed. We worked out what they
had on board and then worked with emergency and
community services to match need.
“We ended up calling the shed the ‘Just Say Yes Centre’
and for three months, seven days a week we ran with
the support of up to 50 volunteers a day. It offered help
to flood-affected families in the form of emergency
supplies and care packs as well as being a community
hub for health services, disaster management and
volunteer co-ordination.
“It was just a problem-solution moment.”
Yep, another one.
An enquiring mind, Rachel says her favourite question is
“why?” This single word, if asked repeatedly, helps get to
the source of an issue.
“I’m not a big fan of band-aid solutions – I much prefer
to rip that band-aid off and go for the source. If you
keep asking why, you will get to the root cause
eventually. Only then will you have the ability to make
long-lasting change.”
So how she make the leap into politics? Well, she sort
of fell.
“I never once aspired to become any sort of politician, in
fact I made it a habit not to invest my time in any political
speak. This was until the flooding event where I felt
decisions were being made without adequate
knowledge, data, evidence and engagement. I have this
rule about putting your life where your voice is –
meaning you shouldn’t whinge about something unless
you are willing to be part of the solution. This fell into
that category. I was very critical of the council, so
decided I must be in the council.”
Being elected as Mayor in 2016 and elected unopposed
in 2021, her favourite part of the job was advocating on
the community’s behalf. Which ironically is her favourite
part of her current role as CEO of Queensland’s peak
industry body for fruit, vegetable and nut growers.
She goes on to explain how she views her role as a CEO
in leading an organisation.
“I asked one of my previous staff members for advice
before I took this job and they said that the best CEO
they ever had gave everyone permission to fail, and had
their back if they did,” she says.
“I have taken that on board, and I tell my staff that stuff
ups are okay. I don’t view those things as failures. The
only failures are those times we haven’t been brave
enough to try something new or different or if we didn’t
learn from experience.”
Like many industry associations, QFVG is on a neverending quest to position itself as a trusted voice for unity
and relevance.
“As a CEO of a NFP, you’ve got to be able to answer two
questions: Why does your association exist? What would
happen if it didn’t?
“And then, even more importantly, if you asked your
members or prospective members the exact same
questions – would your answers align?
“QFVG provides our members a loud, strong and brave
voice of horticulture in Queensland. We work for the
entire supply chain through the lens of a grower. We
exist to ensure they exist for generations to come.”
As a CEO, you’ve got to be able to answer two questions:
Why does your association exist? What would happen if it didn’t?
If you can keep answering those questions, you will maintain
relevance and you will understand your value proposition.
Rachel Chambers, CEO, QFVG
