FROM THE CHAIR
3
Dear Members
As I look over the disruptions caused to pretty much every aspect of our lives I still manage to turn up some positives. One of these, and one that holds the potential of enduring value, is that our national events program is now completely ‘Virtual’ – we have not been holding events in the typical physical setting for quite some time and it will be some time yet until we’re willing to do so again.
But the ‘virtual program’ has really taken off and is by any measure an outstanding success. And there’s one readily identifiable ‘upside’ – any member can join any event, irrespective of where that event is being held.
We’re a service management organisation, so of course we took to this new regime like a duck to water. Our members and guests have been really appreciative of the efforts made to make sure this vital aspect of our operations continued and full credit to the state branches and the national office for their work to make this transition as painless as possible and as productive as we’d all have hoped.
“Well done!” everyone.
A continual challenge for any membership based organisation is to enhance the value of that membership. To this end the Board has recruited 12 volunteers to review our service offering and to work to enhance it – a challenge in these difficult times. This is a genuinely exciting project and I look forward to being able to share the outcomes of this sub-committee’s work over the coming months.
As you’re all aware, our National Conference will not be running this year – not really a surprise given the circumstances. But we have decided to run an alternative event an ‘un-convention’. We plan to stage this in December. Each state will have a part to play as we connect our national community around the country. Where possible we would love or members to be able to gather centrally to take part in the day and wave good by to 2020 in style. As always are seeking to deliver outstanding presentations that will have real relevance to your professional and personal development. Stay tuned, more information regarding this exciting ‘un-convention’ will be heading your way soon.
These are difficult times. One point I think it is important to mention though is that we’re a community – we look out for each other. My advice to those of you who might be finding it pretty hard going at the moment is to actively reach out; pick up the phone, message someone or better still arrange to meet in person. Human contact is something we all need and just at the moment we need it more than ever. As member we are all here for each other so please reach out and stay connected..
Bradley Busch
Chair, itSMF Australia.