Central Section IMSA

Directors Report

“There is nothing permanent except change.” – Greek proverb

Just a few days ago it was 75 degrees outside; today I am looking out the window at nine inches of snow. Things sure can change in a hurry. As the quote above reminds us, change is a part of life. Every organization’s challenge is to adapt to change so that it can continue to meet the needs of its membership and customers into the future.

I recently accepted an opportunity to join the Strategic Management Committee of IMSA. One of the purposes of this committee is to think through where we want to be in 5, 7 and even 10 years from now. The most difficult part of this process for me was a shift in thinking. My current position demands that I perform well in the operational realm e.g. problem solving, project management, system troubleshooting to name a few.

Thinking about the future and planning for it requires a very different approach. A world where the status quo is challenged and “sacred cows” do not exist.  A  BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) instead of a “reasonable expectations” mind set. The type that put men on the moon while others said it couldn’t be done. Thinking about the future is not about “more of the same.” This of course can create challenges for those of us who are comfortable with the way things are.

A few questions that need to be asked are:

1.      What results do we want to accomplish

2.      What gaps exist between current and desired results

As members of IMSA I believe that the question should also be asked of you. What would you like your organization to look like in the future?

My job as Director is to represent the membership of the Central Section of IMSA. In order to fulfill that mission successfully I need to make sure that I am listening and seeking your input. Each of us continues to experience changing conditions that impact our ability to deliver quality services. Some examples that I have already heard are

• A change in managements view on travel for training etc…
• Market driven pay systems that value training/certification
• Technology advancements and the increasing knowledge required to operate and maintain these systems at an ever increasing rate.
• e-learning and its impact on how we do business
• Support within organizations for volunteer positions

I would be very interested to hear your examples and possible suggestions for how we can work together as an organization to help meet these challenges. The future of this organization depends on member participation. You are our greatest asset!

“If you want your dreams to come true, get out of bed.” – Unknown

Respectfully submitted,

David L Kumke