Address of Outgoing President -
by Lawrence W. Fritz, President ISPRS
Distinguished Participants in the XIX ISPRS Congress,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Four years ago, EI accepted the responsibility to
serve as President and this gold chain of office was place
on my shoulders, | pledged to conscientiously perform
the duties to the best of my ability. Wearing this heavy
chain of office reminds me of the heavy responsibilities
that come with the office. As ISPRS's 18th President, |
have found that the human interactions and public rela-
tions of the office are the true essence of the position.
The Society has a great tradition and heritage, with ambi-
tious goals which have been epitomized by the great per-
sonalities such as Dolezal, Schermerhorn and Doyle, and
more recently by my mentors, Konecny, Torlegard and
Murai. This history makes one humble to follow in their
footsteps and proud to help continue the advancement
of the goals of the Society.
Today, just as four years ago, | am truly honored to have
had the opportunity to serve our Society. Having served
previously on Council as Congress Director and as Sec-
retary General, | have recognized that the position of
President is more than a position of honor. It comes with
responsibilities to represent the Society before national
and international organizations, to communicate and
interact with its Members and to manage the Society,
together with the Council and Commission Presidents. To
serve ISPRS honorably requires major dedication to per-
form the duties of the position and an ability to appreci-
ate the needs and diversity of the Society’s Membership
and its officials. As your President, | have done my
utmost to fulfill these responsibilities.
As the first ISPRS President to be elected from the pri-
vate sector, one of my perspectives has been to organize
the administration and operation of the Society on a more
solid footing. This is in recognition of the scientific, tech-
nological, economic and social dynamics that are chang-
ing the environment of, and the bodies with which, ISPRS
interacts and operates. Our Society has grown ever
larger and to stay viable and relevant, we must have the
ability to change with the times. ISPRS now represents
174 Member bodies, of which 124 are societies and
organizations representing nations and regions. We are
BEES organization and voice of the Pho-
togrammetric, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information
Sciences. It is imperative that we strive to achieve our
mission and goals within a collegial and democratic envi- -
ronment, yet with firmness of purpose and with the abil-
ity to meet them. The General Assembly's adoption here
of the Society's Strategic Plan for the 21st Century has
set the framework and initiated many of the changes
needed to accomplish this. This term, ISPRS has forged
significant relationships with all sectors, as is shown by
our increased involvement with ICSU, CEOS, UN/OOSA,
and industry. This is very rewarding to me and my fellow
officers, and for all of our Members.
Our truly international Council has strongly influenced the
270
direction of the Society, with expectations of bringing
greater value to the disciplines and professions in which
we are all engaged. For me, it has been a wonderful
experience to work with a Council team which has been
bold, eager and not fearful of challenge, yet sufficiently
tempered with values of meaningful tradition. We have
accomplished a lot because we all truly believe in the
value of ISPRS. Our hope is that our successors will
maintain the momentum and continue to strive to
enhance the many benefits our Society offers to its Mem-
bers. An international Society brings unity and synergy to
support the greater good for all humankind. ISPRS is an
excellent international society.
As we near the end of this Congress, let me express my
sincere thanks to my Council colleagues for their dili-
gence and cooperation. The ISPRS Bylaws require that a
minimum of three Council members step down from
office in order to keep Society leadership vibrant and yet
ensure continuity with experience. This term, four of my
dear colleagues will leave Council, three after serving for
only four years. Departing is our 1st Vice President and
very deserving new ISPRS Honorary Member, Shunji
Murai. Everyone will attest that Shunji, during his sixteen
years on Council, has served our Society with hard work,
efficiency, honor and dignity. His Asian perspective has
strongly influenced the Society to address the needs of
the developing world. We will clearly miss his honest.
opinions, his wisdom and wit. Shunji, | thank you for
sharing your friendship and appreciate the many hard- -
ships that you and your caring wife, Taeko, have endured t.
for serving the Society so well.
Klaas Jan Beek has served the Society well as Congress
Director. We will miss his ever positive and forward-look-
ing perspectives for keeping the Society relevant. This
has been a very successful Congress and we thank you
Klaas Jan for your excellent hospitality. Our outgoing
Treasurer, Heinz Ruether, has worked very hard in keep-
ing the Society’s finances in order and in keeping our
African colleagues involved. Heinz, we are pleased and
fortunate that you will continue to work with Council as
the new Chair of the Financial Commission. | am certain
that you will continue to keep us on the positive side of
the ledger. And it has been a privilege to have Marcio
Barbosa, our very capable 2nd Vice President, bring his
ideas and Latin American perspectives to support our
Ga MC li AL sia for vour continued support of
Has Society.
Secretary General John Trinder has worked hard and
conscientiously in communicating with our Members and |
in maintaining the Headquarters of the Society. He has
traveled extensively to represent the Society very capa-
bly with other organizations and in the South Asian
Pacific region. The Society will greatly benefit from his
twelve years of experience on Council. John, | am most
happy that the General Assembly has elected you to be
International Archives of Photogrammerty and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXIII, Part A. Amsterdam 2000.
