FROM THE DEPUTY CHAIR
3
Dear Members
Brad Busch, our itSMFA Chair, was sadly involved in a serious accident just recently and as a result I have taken over a number of his duties, including writing the introductory report for this edition of The Bulletin.
I would like to express on my own behalf, as well as the rest of the Board, our best wishes to Brad and his family and our hope that he makes a speedy and complete recovery.
The ongoing COVID crisis has added a new and unfamiliar element of stress to our lives and some people have found this very difficult to deal with. There is the continuing uncertainty about when we will resume our ‘normal’ lives and the enforced social isolation, particularly in Victoria. And of course, there’s the disruption to our working lives and the impact the pandemic has had on our professions.
itSMF Australia is however a social forum as well as a meeting place where professionals exchange ideas and I know I speak for many when I say to those who may be struggling, that you are welcome to reach out, to ask for help or to simply hear a friendly voice. We’re all in this together and we need to look out for each other – and ourselves.
Of course we have had to scrap the 2020 National Conference (is anyone running one this year?) but we are not abandoning our responsibilities to host a get-together and forum for the exchange of ideas. Except this year of course, it will be a ‘Virtual experience’.
The presenters and format for our ‘Unconvention’ are currently being finalised and I’d ask you to look
out for registration details which will be arriving in your in-box shortly. This promises to be a highlight of our year and perfectly adapted to these
challenging times. Importantly the itSMF ‘Volunteer Of the Year Award’ will still be going ahead – something I am looking forward to with great anticipation.
Our program of Virtual Events continue to be well supported and I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the small army of volunteers for their great work in this area. And thanks to the wider Service Management community which has adapted to this new format so enthusiastically. The success of these events is a credit to everyone.
As you would have seen a ‘Member Value Program’ is currently being developed, looking at how we can add to the member benefits package currently on offer. We have 15 passionate volunteers with a broad range of skills and expertise hard at work on this important initiative. Stay tuned for a progress report on their valuable work in the near future.
Finally, I wanted to offer my own best wishes for the community as we adapt to these difficult times. It has brought out the best in us in regard to our ability to adjust, to change and to continue to flourish. But I would add, as I mentioned earlier, that we also need to keep an eye out for those who may be finding the day to day struggle just that bit too hard. May I suggest that all of us do something ‘active’ to reach out and touch the lives of another member, or friend, or colleague. It will help.
Enjoy the Bulletin.
Brendan Cullen
Depty Chair, itSMF Australia.