FROM
THE CHAIR
3
Dear members
Please allow me to start this Chair’s Report with a simple acknowledgement of the necessary, but difficult decision to postpone our National Conference.
At the time this decision was made it appeared something of a 50/50 bet – do we go ahead and risk it, or be prudent and postpone?
As things have turned out, the Conference could not realistically have proceeded. The state of the nation as I write this is that more states are under lockdown restrictions than not and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. Against this backdrop our decision to postpone, not cancel, the Conference was a wise one.
I mentioned that we have postponed the event, not cancelled it, because we are going to proceed with the event in March 2022 – I’ll keep you posted about what that might look like, but I am determined to make sure this happens.
I would like to also take this opportunity to thank our sponsors, speakers and delegates…
Sponsor support for the proposed Conference next month was terrific and they were really looking forward to the opportunity of engaging with people personally – face to face. The great support that our sponsors offered has been extended to our new proposed event in March and they are completely ‘on board’ with our thinking and decision making.
Kathryn Howard has been an absolute champion of itSMF Australia. A member of the Board of Directors for many years, the Director of the Conference Committee and always a voice of reason and moderation. Her wise counsel, her support for the office staff and in general her
Professionalism have been matched by her warmth and regard for the members of our organisation. So, it is with both a sense of regret and gratitude that I announce that she has decided to retire from working life and the Board of itSMF Australia, effective October 2021. On behalf of the Board, the staff and the membership I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Kathryn and to wish her well in her retirement.
I am delighted, given Kathryn’s departure, to announce that her place as Conference Director will be taken by another tremendously talented member in Janet Holling, a Board Member and member of the Conference Committee. Janet also brings to her role that mix of professionalism and grounded good sense, and good sense of humour that the role demands— the Conference continues to be in good hands.
Also, I would like to mention that adding Member Value continues to be the core of what we do. We have added extra Board Members to the ‘Member Value’ team to help with implementation of some of the great ideas for additional member value coming from the Member Value working group. If you have n idea or something you would like to see us consider as a future member benefit, then please email me… [email protected]
Finally, may I simply add that I hope you are keeping safe!
These are difficult times and while there is light at the end of the tunnel, we’re not there yet.
Enjoy your Bulletin
Brendan Cullen
Chair, itSMF Australia