For so many reasons, it’s been an interesting and challenging few months.  A pandemic, economic shutdown, earthquakes, protesting, riots, and unstable weather patterns have affected everyone and their work environments.  Many of us are struggling and trying to adapt to a changing work environment while wondering when “normal” will happen and what it will look like. Our ICBA chapter is no different, so I have a few things I’d like to communicate to you as we navigate and find our new normal:

• ·         The annual conference and member meetings
• ·         WorldatWork certification courses
• ·         WorldatWork Total Resilience 2020 Virtual Conference  & Exhibition
• ·         2021 membership
• ·         The 2021 ICBA board

Since the cancellation of the 2020 annual conference, the ICBA board has tried to determine the best path for networking and meeting.  Facing limitations of social distancing and other restrictions by the CDC and local government prohibits us from coming together without an internet connection.  We are unable to hold our annual conference this year and are looking into scheduling webinars for our remaining meetings.  We are working out the logistics and will communicate with you once we have more information. All in all, it’s a challenge. As with all challenges, we’ll face it head-on and be better for it.

WorldatWork is coordinating with the local networks to make sure that courses will still be held. The certification courses are now offered online.

WorldatWork’ s flagship conference for 2020 has been re-envisioned this year and will be delivered as a Virtual Conference & Exhibition.  The event will take place Wednesdays from 11:00 am - 2 pm EST from July 8 to September 2.  The Total Resilience Conference & Exhibition will provide 45 live, highly interactive sessions over the 9 weeks. Pricing for our conference is $65 per week  or for the entire 9 week conference a rate of $439.  ICBA members need to contact our Customer Experience Team at 877-951-9191.

Members who paid their 2020 membership fees will be granted membership in 2021 at no additional cost.  It’s the right thing to do, since we are unable to hold the annual conference in 2020 and so much of our programming year has been disrupted.  We are crossing our fingers and hoping that we get to meet again in 2021.

As many of you know, I have spent a couple of years as president of ICBA.  It has been a pleasure and an honor to represent the local chapter; however, change is good.  I am pleased to pass on the baton to Shannon Prickett.  She is a long-time board member who is eager to serve and uplift the members of ICBA.  At this time, I will continue to serve the board as past-president. To help Shannon lead the board, we have: Tia Larsen, Vice President; Ken Wheeler, Treasurer; and Lela Machado, Secretary.  Each one of these individuals is amazing.  Honestly, the board is in great hands and I can’t wait to see the great things they will do for the chapter. Thank you for allowing me to serve and for sticking with us during these difficult times.  

Sherrail Mitton