President's Message

Improving the Future Inclusivity

Have you ever hosted a party and had no one show or had lower than expected attendance? Please allow me to share the three initiatives the chapter leadership are embarking on to ensure our events are accessible and well attended.

The first initiative is to invest in technology and hardware to enable excellent hybrid events. We are investing in technology that will elevate the experience of those attending remotely. One technology being purchased is the SMART Podium 624 which is an interactive pen display including a SMART Meeting Pro® software featuring SMART ink™. Presenters can use the cordless, battery-free pen or their finger to write over anything shared on a display on the fly to collaborate with the audience on key points, improving efficiency. This will enhance the hybrid meeting for both in person as well as the remote attendees. We’re investing in a high definition, very portable projector and Bluetooth speakers which will enhance the experience for the in-person and remote group attendees.

Our next initiative is to foster a relationship with our members in outlying Southern Alberta urban centers outside of Calgary like Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Canmore and any others where groups wish to meet locally to attend and be involved remotely in Calgary’s chapter events and meetings. This will allow for local relationship building within remote centers through participation in larger group hybrid events.

I will be reaching out to IIBA members in Red Deer, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat to find volunteers that might have a place to host other members for hybrid meetings. If any you are willing to be a part of hosting satellite meetings, please reach out to me either at 403-818-9670 or president@calgary.iiba.org. I will also be sending out targeted emails to those specific areas looking for interested parties.

The third initiative the leadership is committed to is working with our post-secondary places of education starting with University of Calgary, Mount Royal University, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Red Deer College, and University of Lethbridge. We passed our budget for 2022 which included a bursary for students of these post-secondary institutions. We are working to build the relationships with these institutions and see how we can encourage student interest in attending our events and to become members of the business analysis community. Once again, should you have any thoughts or ideas how we might do this, I invite you to reach out to me either at 403-818-9670 or president@calgary.iiba.org.

In closing, I believe these three initiatives will benefit business analysts by making our community more inclusive and engaging a larger audience in Southern Alberta. I look forward to working with our leadership team to deliver on these initiatives. I also look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas by phone, text or email.

Thank you,

Reg Cracknell,
President