As we move fully into 2014, we need YOU, our IAP2 members. The stage has been set for another successful year in advancing our practice. We have a full slate of activities planned including new webinars, Chapter gatherings, a September convention with our Canadian neighbors in Winnipeg and a number of new training opportunities.

These alone are worth your membership support.  But this year, we also have several new initiatives that have the potential to take the public involvement practice to new heights.  IAP2’s highly regarded Planning, Communications and Techniques classes are getting an overhaul to incorporate new approaches that take into account our increasingly digital world. This will make the already great classes better and more relevant. But even bigger news is that board member Wendy Lowe is leading an international team moving forward with a certification process that will set a standard of practice for our profession.  We are not far from the day where you can become a certified professional, signifying excellence and a standard of quality.

Of course this is important to those in our field, but make no mistake, our standards are increasingly important outside of our organization. The White House with its Open Government Initiative is looking to IAP2 to help with setting standards of practice before the end of this year!

We are, by the nature of what we do, collaborative and cooperative. This organization had been, and continues to be driven by the efforts of its membership.  I’m confident our 2014 Board will provide the leadership to keep this organization moving forward. Our veteran Board members: David Hovde, Tim Bonnemann, Leah Jaramillo, Lance Robertson, Anne Carroll and Wendy Lowe are joined by five newly elected board members: Francesca Patricolo, Matt Leighninger, Kit Cole, Teresa Alvarado and Marijoan Bull. We’ll be meeting in my hometown, Portland, in March to continue to map out the path forward.

But we always, always need help. Contribute where you can.   We have many committees, and not all are driven by board members. Let us know if you would like to help with webinars, or membership, or communications or the Open Government conversations.  There’s a place for you at the table.  Join us!

One final note:  we have three 2013 board members who have finished their terms this year President Larry Schooler, Past President Theresa Gunn and Secretary Debra Duerr. Like the many board members before them, their contributions over the last several years were ENORMOUS.  For that, we give a heartfelt thank you from the entire organization!