FROM THE
ACTING CHAIR
3
Dear Members
WOW! What a year!
I doubt anyone reading this has ever seen a year like it. We started the year with horrendous bush fires, then moved on to the great toilet paper famine closely followed by COVID-19 lockdowns across the country. The fact that itSMF Australia is still around at the end of 2020 is a tremendous effort and we thank all our members for their support. This is quite remarkable and is a living, breathing testament to our continued relevance in a very difficult environment. We also have a Conference, albeit an ‘Unconvential’ Conference, to look forward to, so we’ll end the year on a high.
For me personally, this year has certainly brought its own challenges. I’ve had friends and family back in the UK go through some bad times and it was hard to not have the option of being there with them. Also, before Brad’s accident, I did not for one minute think that in 2020 I’d be having to write the Chairperson's address in the Monthly Bulletin. It gets worse (well for me anyway) because in a few days’ time I have will have to face one of my greatest fears: publicly addressing a few hundred peers at the Unconvention..!! Luckily I have felt the backing of the community and the National Board spurring me on. I have appreciated this ongoing support very much. Thank you!
In a couple of days’ time we will be running our first ever Virtual Conference – The UnConvention- Follow the Sun. Throughout the long history of our National Conference, we have been fortunate to have a great line-up of speakers who are willing to share their knowledge and ensure that the event provides maximum value for those who attend. This year is no different despite being virtual. We have a great program in place and have some great speakers from all over the globe. I would like to thank our Conference Committee, in particular our Conference Director, Kathryn Howard on rallying the troops and making this
event possible. Well done team!
One of the core focuses of the Forum at the moment is engagement with our members. We want to serve your needs, provide value for your membership and increase involvement from the grass roots in the direction and running of the forum. About 3 months ago your board put together a working group called the Member Value Program (MVP). This program is made up of 15 members from all over Australia with all States and Territories represented. It is looking at member benefits and what provides value to our members. If you have any ideas that you would like the MVP to consider please email the National Office at [email protected]
In closing, I’d like to say thank you for the great work that has been undertaken in 2020 by the Board of Management, the State Branch Chairs and the National Office in running itSMF Australia. We could not operate without this largely volunteer commitment to delivering value for membership. A special mention to our Executive Officer Sheryl Kingsley who truly has done a tremendous job this year. Looking forward, 2021 is hopefully going to be a less ‘exciting’ year, but one which is sure to bring new challenges and the usual frenetic change that comes with life in the ITSM industry as we all strive to deliver the best possible levels of service. It could also be the year that you step up to the challenge of becoming more engaged with your community through itSMF events, special interest groups and Branch Committees. Make that effort to get to a State Branch event and mark your diary now so that you can start making plans to be at our National Conference in Brisbane in August 2021. There is so much knowledge we can all share, and let’s face it, we could all do with something to look forward to!
Enjoy your Bulletin.
Brendan Cullen
Acting Chair, itSMF Australia.