COLLEAGUE SPOTLIGHT: MARTIN GILBRAITH

What first attracted me was the comprehensive approach, world-wide and history long, and the realization that I was not only free and capable, but also responsible to contribute to creating the future for myself and the world.

Martin's main involvement with ICA has been in a voluntary capacity as President of ICA International (ICAI).

​How and when did you first encounter ICA?
I first met ICA as a participant in the ICA:UK international volunteer programme in June 1986, so I have just passed 30 years with ICA this year. Of course I was very young at the time! I volunteered with ICA India in the Jawale Human Development Project near Pune, and then with ICA MENA in the Bayad El Arab project in Egypt. After I returned from Egypt in 1995 to take my masters degree in Manchester, I worked with colleagues in Britain to re-establish ICA:UK and stood down as Chief Executive in 2012.
​
What is your current role at ICA? 
Since I went freelance in 2012 I have remained involved with ICA:UK as an Associate and licensed ToP trainer, but my main involvement with ICA has been in a voluntary capacity as President of ICA International (ICAI). I am about to complete my 4 year term on the Board (my third, after two terms from 1998-2006), and am looking forward to being able to take a new relationship to ICA, perhaps a greater role with Winds & Waves magazine, and making more of the potential of new ICAI website.

What are your favorite things about ICA?
I think what first attracted me was the comprehensive approach, world-wide and history long, and the realization that I was not only free and capable, but also responsible to contribute to creating the future for myself and the world. That blew me away in my Volunteer Orientation Weekend in 1986, and I think what has kept me involved ever since is that ICA provides a vehicle and a community with which to pursue that calling, and all the scope in the world for me to make it my own.

What is an interesting fact about you?
I can still speak and understand Arabic surprisingly well after 20 years. Also I am very excited to have just passed my Certified ToP Facilitator assessment, making me (I think) only the third CTF in Europe, and the first who is also a CPF, an IAF Certified Professional Facilitator!